Tribute to Raymond Michell

It is with deep sadness to inform you that Raymond Michell passed away on Thursday 10 March, 2022 at 90 years of age.

Raymond together with his wife Rosemary were FBA life members and Raymond was instrumental in the origins of Family Business Australia.

"I have known Ray since he first approached my father in the early 1990’s to form a committee of family business owners to help family business’s and to raise the profile of family business. This was after he had been to America and met a family business expert called Leon Danco. The committee soon decided they needed to be incorporated and so Family Business Services SA Inc came into being. After a few meetings my father realized this was going to be a long-term project so asked me to take over from him which I happily did." Alister Haigh has written a tribute in memory of Raymond.

Ray’s enthusiasm and energy for the family business cause was infectious and his effort and drive was admired by all. Until recently he tried to attend every event held here and on the national level and was constantly travelling to learn the latest research on family business. This drive and energy was recognised by Family Business Australia with life membership as well as overseas organisations both in America and Europe. He and his wife Rosemary remained lifelong friends of Leon and Katie Danco and was instrumental in getting them to venture over here to pass on firsthand his expert learnings.

Through Ray’s travels he met many family business owners and experts and was always happy to share his learnings with others.

Whilst doing all this he was instrumental in reorganizing his own family business and their shareholders enabling family members to branch out and follow their interests rather than be one of  many shareholders in a very well-established family business.

He and Rosemary were one of the last people to have a residence on North Terrace which was nearly opposite Government House and when they sold, they moved to West Lakes to enable their family to visit more frequently."

Alister Haigh

Thank you, Raymond, for your significant contribution to Family Business Australia.