FORMER Linfox and Toll executive Michael Byrne became a Member of the Order of Australia as part of the 2025 Australia Day honours.
He was recognised “for significant service to the transport industry, and to the community” and for his role in driving major corporate changes to adapt to a fast-changing marketplace.
In an interview with Prime Mover in 2014, Mr Byrne said: “The greatest single change operationally that I have seen over the last 20 years is female participation in the workplace and what that has done is change shopping habits.”
Mr Byrne has been a strong believer in supply chain solutions and used computerised intelligent operating systems to change the logistics sector.
“That’s the real supply chain – not trucks, not warehouses,” he told Prime Mover.
“It’s really smart people thinking something through.”
Mr Byrne was a director of NSW Ports since 2020 and was a member of the NSW Freight Advisory Council, having previously worked with Australia Post, Coates and Westgate Holdings.
He also served on numerous government boards advising on transportation, infrastructure, food security and security matters as well as the board of food charity OzHarvest and education committees for Victoria University and the University of Denver.
Mr Byrne’s distinguished career spans more than 40 years with experience in global logistics, supply chain, financial institutions, government, retail infrastructure and property sectors across Australia, New Zealand, North America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa.
Recently he has been involved in the due diligence teams for large acquisitions being Ausgrid, Sydney Airport and Peel Ports UK and Ireland.
During COVID-19, Mr Byrne was appointed by the federal government to assist with the establishment of international air freight and air traffic and then advising on export supply chains and the Simplified Trade Systems Task Force.
He continues, as a core focus to be involved with large family-owned businesses as they reposition themselves for growth and market share.
By Neil Dowling