Managing Director

Michael Robinson

About me

Michael Robinson is a respected leader in public sector procurement, probity, and governance, with over 20 years of experience managing high-risk projects across local and state government. As the Founder and Managing Director of Local Government Contracts Australia, he leads procurement governance, compliance, and contract management for local government.

Following the establishment of SHOP Consulting in 2022, Michael identified the need to enhance contract aggregation nationally for councils, driving efficiency and best-value outcomes. A CIPS lead trainer and accredited Probity Advisor, he has trained procurement professionals globally and was recognised with the NSW Local Government Procurement Professional Award (2012).

Michael also holds professional accreditations, including GAICD and WCC (fellow), reinforcing his expertise in procurement governance and strategic risk management.

Head of Engagement

Tony Kerr

About me

Tony’s nearly 20 years of dedicated service within local government is a testament to his unwavering commitment to excellence in local government procurement. Throughout his career, Tony has established himself as a specialist in local government procurement, delivering positive outcomes through roles from managing procurement within councils to consulting on best practices and supporting council procurement at a statewide level. His extensive experience and deep understanding of the sector have consistently driven better outcomes for local government.

Manager Operations – Supplier

Kim Dowling

About me

With a decade of experience in procurement, Kim specialises in Local Government procurement, driving compliance, efficiency, and value for money outcomes. Kim has successfully led large-scale procurement projects for local government across multiple states in Australia, managing end-to-end processes, complex contract negotiations, and contract lifecycle management. Her focus will be on building strong supplier relationships, enhancing procurement frameworks, and ensuring seamless supplier engagement to drive efficiency and value across the local government sector.

Head of Marketing and Business Development

Stephen Robinson

About me

As the Head of Marketing and Business Development, Stephen leverages his extensive expertise in sales, procurement, and marketing to develop strategic solutions that capitalise on valuable buyer and supplier insights. This approach enables a tailored, best-in-class methodology, empowering Local Government procurement to maximise their effectiveness and better serve their communities. Passionate about account management and business development, Stephen excels in fostering collaborative customer relationships that drive mutually beneficial commercial outcomes.

Head of IT Operations

Ross O’Donovan

About me

As Head of IT Operations at LGCA, Ross is leading the charge in modernising government procurement. With a Master’s degree in Information Systems for Business Performance, he brings a deep understanding of how technology can drive efficiency and innovation. By leveraging automation, data analytics, and secure cloud solutions, he’s streamlining contract management and making procurement more transparent and cost-effective. His work helps councils reduce costs while improving accessibility for suppliers. Passionate about innovation, Ross is dedicated to future-proofing procurement systems, ensuring LGCA stays ahead in the ever-evolving digital landscape of government contracting.

Manager Operations – Buyers

Cindy Garrahy

About me

Cindy has an impressive background with 27 years in local government, covering procurement, stores, contracts, and finance, followed by 4 years of consulting to the industry. Her extensive experience includes leading procurement teams, delivering projects, creating frameworks, providing training, and ensuring probity. 

Cindy is passionate about engaging with local businesses in regional communities, driving economic growth, and facilitating agile processes for councils and suppliers.