Our Team
The people behind Lift Strategic are directors, Michael Riches and Tracy Riddiford.
About Michael
Michael Riches is a seasoned professional with an extensive career spanning law enforcement, legal practice, and government oversight. He holds an Honours degree in Law and Legal Practice, a Bachelor of Arts, a Diploma in Public Safety, and Certificates in Justice Studies and Investigation Services, all of which underpin his comprehensive experience.
Michael's career began as a project officer in the Crime Prevention Unit of the South Australian Attorney-General’s Department. He moved to frontline policing, where he served in a number of roles for nearly a decade, gaining invaluable experience in investigations and public safety. Having obtained an Honours degree in Law and Legal Practice, Michael practiced as a lawyer in various capacities, honing his legal acumen and strategic thinking.
His commitment to public integrity led him to the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) of South Australia. Michael worked as a senior member of the team which established the South Australian ICAC, where he provided expert policy advice and continued with the agency as a lawyer, progressing through key leadership roles including Director Legal Services and Reviews, Chief Executive Officer, and Deputy Commissioner. His tenure at the SA ICAC demonstrated his strong leadership, legal expertise, and dedication to safeguarding public institutions through independent investigations.
Following his impactful work in South Australia, Michael was appointed Independent Commissioner Against Corruption in the Northern Territory, a particularly challenging role in which he served for several years.
Today, Michael channels his extensive experience into Lift Strategic, a bespoke services company he founded with former anti-corruption agency colleague, Tracy Riddiford. Through Lift Strategic, Michael continues to contribute his profound knowledge and strategic insights, offering strategic communications support to both public and private sector clients to improve their internal and external processes.
About Tracy
Tracy Riddiford brings nearly 12 years of senior leadership experience in corruption prevention, education, and communications. As a founding member of the South Australian Independent Commission Against Corruption’s (ICAC) leadership team, she has served as a trusted advisor to two Commissioners, known for her sharp strategic insight and integrity-driven guidance.
Tracy established and led ICAC’s corruption prevention, education, and strategic intelligence functions, shaping how public sector and local government agencies assess and improve their integrity frameworks and practices. Her work has influenced policies, practices, and procedures across State and Local Government, helping to strengthen ethical standards and transparency through expert policy advice.
A seasoned communications specialist, Tracy has guided how the Commission engages with stakeholders and has advised numerous public agencies on communicating integrity issues effectively to their staff. Her hallmark is making complex concepts clear, accessible, and compelling, enhancing strategic communications across various platforms.
Beyond the public sector, Tracy is also an award-winning filmmaker. She has produced documentaries for broadcast and has over two decades of experience creating drama-based education content and curriculum. Her education films have been distributed globally—in 62 countries and 14 languages—and used by high-profile institutions such as NASA, the United Nations, and the United States Senate.
Tracy’s commitment to integrity and ethical standards is underpinned by a Bachelor of Justice from Flinders University.
Now, as co-founder of Lift Strategic, alongside former ICAC Deputy Commissioner Michael Riches, Tracy is bringing her expertise to help organisations proactively safeguard their integrity and conduct independent investigations while building cultures of trust.