Michael Rowbottom

Michael Rowbottom has been involved with four companies with interests in the aviation and horticultural industries. He is currently managing director of Cleveland Horticultural Service, which was formed in October 2000 and is based in Bullsbrook. Starting as an apprentice aircraft maintenance engineer in 1983, Mr Rowbottom has achieved a number of business successes. His first business was Aviation Cleaning Service Perth, based at Jandakot Airport. The operation entailed the cleaning and refurbishment of aircraft. His next position was that of chief engineer at Hawker Pacific WA Aircraft Engineering. In this role he was partly responsible for significant growth in the company. Mr Rowbottom then decided he needed a business challenge and went into a partnership where he set up and developed Cleveland Winery, a six-hectare vineyard, securing a contract with Houghton Winery in the process. In 1998 he started his third company, Rowbottom Aviation Service. The company provided aircraft engineering and consulting services to the aviation industry Australia-wide and in Singapore. He co-founded his present business in August 2000, taking the bold step of acquiring 100 per cent of the business after the first 18 months in partnership. Since this time the business has grown dramatically.