Michael Crouch

Michael Crouch was an ardent Australian with a passionate belief in Australia’s ability to export Australian designed and manufactured products across the globe.

His early success saw him transform a domestic hot water systems business into the world leader in instant boiling water appliances – the Zip HydroTap - now used daily by millions of people in more sixty countries.

Throughout his career and lifetime Michael held multiple honorary government appointments including time as a member of the Australian Government Trade Policy Advisory Council, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (APEC) and as representatives of the Prime Minister to the APEC Business Advisory Council.

From 2004 to 2013 Michael Crouch served as Founding Chairman, Friends of the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia (South Eastern Section) and from 2007 onwards, Michael became an enthusiastic contributor to The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award in Australia, which now involves more than 40,000 young Australians each year.

In 2007 Michael received a University of New South Wales Honorary Doctorate of Business in recognition of his extensive, sustained contribution to business and the broader community. He served as a Director, Advisory Committee & Advisory Council at the Australian School of Business, UNSW from 2011 to 2012.

At UNSW, he also commissioned Australia’s first Chair of Innovation in its School of Business and in 2015 he provided a generous donation to UNSW when enabled the establishment of the Michael Crouch Innovation Centre, a hub for entrepreneurs, innovators and makers “seeking a better way” and now home to the UNSW Founders Program.

In recognition of these and numerous other contributions to Australian business and community, Michael was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 1988, an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2004, and a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) in 2017.