Michelle Shackles

Senior Manager - Perth

Michelle is a Senior Manager in the Perth Restructuring and Insolvency division.

Michelle is a highly experienced restructuring and insolvency professional who brings more than two decades of expertise to her role at RSM.

Based in Western Australia, she provides practical and empathetic advice to clients across many diverse industries as well as middle market and regional SMEs facing financial distress or operational challenges.

Her goal is to guide individuals and businesses through periods of financial uncertainty, delivering strategic advice that supports turnaround outcomes or helps create a more secure financial future. Known for her calm, collaborative approach, Michelle works closely with stakeholders to achieve the best possible result in often complex and high-pressure environments.

Michelle provides specialist advice in business recovery, corporate and personal insolvency, and financial restructuring. She works with businesses and individuals experiencing financial distress, helping them understand their options and develop a clear path forward—whether through restructuring, turnaround strategies, or formal insolvency appointments.

She is skilled in navigating complex group structures and multi-stakeholder engagements, drawing on her background in corporate finance and banking to bring commercial clarity to challenging situations. Her experience ensures that clients receive solutions that are practical, sustainable, and tailored to their unique circumstances.

"I’m passionate about helping businesses and individuals find clarity and confidence during financial uncertainty, guiding them toward practical, lasting solutions."

Michelle joined RSM in 2023 following her role as a Director at a national independent firm, where she advised on business recovery and insolvency matters for a diverse client base. Earlier in her career, she spent four years as a Senior Credit Analyst with international bank Banque Nationale de Paris, working with complex corporate groups with syndicated banking facilities.

Throughout her career in professional services, Michelle has held key roles in both insolvency and corporate finance. Her cross-sector expertise has allowed her to assist clients in a wide range of industries, including government and SME businesses.

One of Michelle’s most rewarding projects involved leading a multidisciplinary team of advisors over an 18-month period to assist the state government in relocating a small family-owned wildlife park. This business, which had operated successfully for over 25 years, was able to continue thriving post-relocation, thanks to the restructuring and relocation strategy Michelle and the team helped deliver. She is proud of the long-term positive impact this project had on both the business and the local community.

Michelle enjoys the diversity and complexity of the restructuring and insolvency industry. She values working within a professional, solutions-focused team to achieve the best outcomes for clients. Whether she’s helping a business recover or supporting a smoother exit, she finds satisfaction in making a tangible difference during challenging times.

Away from the office, Michelle enjoys spending time with her family and supporting her children’s sporting and artistic pursuits, including cricket, football, and ballet. A lifelong sports enthusiast, she also loves watching cricket and golf—and proudly supports the Fremantle Dockers, even if that’s sometimes a challenge!

Michelle provides expert knowledge in the following areas:

• Business recovery and turnaround strategies
• Corporate and personal insolvency
• Financial distress management
• Government and public sector support

Associations

• Professional Member, Australian Restructuring & Turnaround Association (ARITA)
• Member, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ)

Qualifications

• Advanced Certification in Insolvency (ARITA)
• Professional Year Program (CAANZ)
• Bachelor of Commerce (UWA)