About CIRC

CIRC is a Western Australian Executive Advisory firm with over $100B in resources, infrastructure and energy transaction and investment experience.

Our senior advisors each bring 20+ years’ experience in almost all things strategic advisory, market intelligence and project development, having worked in businesses big and small across diverse industries and geographies.

Who we are

Michael Rowe

Managing Director (MBA; BSc Hons)

Michael is a multi-disciplinary commercial leader with 22+ years’ experience in infrastructure, water, energy and mining, working in Rio Tinto, Jacobs and Coffey and more. He is an expert in managing complex, multi-stakeholder $1B+ business cases. Most recently Rio Tinto’s $8B+ Global Diesel Decarbonisation Portfolio Manager.

Michael has led several small businesses including Trinity Energy where he has been director since 2017. Whilst at Trinity Energy, Michael oversaw 10 years of R&D in waste transformation technologies – including for the West Australian Water Corporation – and has supported contracts for 10+ MW of advanced power solutions including for the $238.5m Woodman Point WWTP upgrade.

Bindi Shah

Principal consultant (MBA; BSc (Env) Hons.)

Bindi is a multi-disciplinary ESG and compliance leader with 18+ years’ experience across energy, mining, and rail. She is a leading voice in the West Australian energy industry, which she champions in her role as Vice Chair of the Australian Institute of Energy (WA Chapter).

Bindi is a specialist in sustainability disclosures and statutory reporting and previously held key positions at AEMO, Roy Hill, Agilitus, WSP, and Aurecon. She is a natural collaborator who works with executive teams, bringing transformational change to organisations big and small.

Jeff Barnes

Principal strategic partnerships (BCom)

Jeff understands that in complex, technical industries like engineering, sales isn’t about pushing products — it’s about clearly communicating value, building trust, and ensuring the client’s needs are fully understood and met.

With a background in partnership development across mining, manufacturing, logistics, food, technology and agriculture, Jeff brings practical, cross-industry insight and a customer-first approach that fits seamlessly into technical and operational environments. His focus is on making your team more effective with what they already have — no fluff, just sharper execution.

Our Values

Our work is guided by a strong set of principles that shape every decision we make.

  • Reciprocity: We believe that the greatest impact and strongest partnerships start with reciprocity – giving inspiring giving. We strive to create mutual value, build long-term equity, and foster a collaborative ecosystem where both CIRC and our clients thrive together.

  • Curiosity: We are relentless learners who embrace diverse perspectives and challenge the status quo to uncover new possibilities. We are constantly exploring the latest trends and technologies to ensure our clients are always ahead of the curve.

  • Integrity: We operate with a strong sense of purpose, balancing commercial success with our commitment to social and environmental responsibility. Our advice is always honest, transparent, and focused on building trust.

  • Excellence: We champion thought diversity in all its forms, using our varied backgrounds to ask better questions and achieve superior outcomes. We are committed to delivering the highest quality of service and expertise.

  • Stewards of the Future: We are committed to building a better world by promoting circularity, sustainability, and ethical practices. We see ourselves as guardians of a greener, more prosperous future for generations to come.