A graduate of Durham University, Michael is the Special Adviser and Skills Ambassador at City & Guilds, a global leader in technical education and training. He has spent over 40 years in technical education including designing programmes to help long term unemployed people and former psychiatric patients return to the community and workplace. 

During his 30 years at City & Guilds, Michael has been responsible for public relations, marketing and senior stakeholder engagement. 

Particular highlights include his involvement with WorldSkills and the British Council, taking him to every continent on earth as an ambassador for skills and the beneficial impact acquiring them has on individuals, employers and local and national economies. 

He was instrumental in delivering the 60plus nations, 250,000 visitors WorldSkills London 2011, one of the largest global skills events to date. 

Recently he has worked with the City & Guilds Foundation breaking down barriers for individuals and supporting the least privileged in society acquire the skills they need for sustainable employment and economic independence.

In 2015 he designed and established the Princess Royal Training Awards on behalf of City & Guilds President, HRH The Princess Royal, recognising employers who invest in their people and who can evidence the impact it has. To date almost 500 awards have been made and they are recognised as the most robust and yet accessible training awards in the UK and Ireland.  Recognising excellence is a key feature in the work of the City & Guilds Foundation.

He is a passionate supporter of skills and has a particular interest in heritage and craft skills where he has been instrumental in establishing a multi-organisational coalition committed to the promotion and protection of skills crucial to our rich cultural heritage.  In addition to advising a number of heritage organisations, he also sits on the Livery Companies Skills Council and works alongside many of the City livery companies in his role.

Music has always played an important role in Michael’s life from being a chorister in an award winning parish church choir to singing in the Lancashire Youth Choir and a range of choral organisations. Although unable to play an instrument, he is an avid consumer of music both live and recorded and would find a day without music a very sad and lonely one.

He is the member-nominated Trustee of the City & Guilds Pension Scheme; a trustee of the City & Guilds of London Art School and the pan-European heritage skills organisation, The Arch.

He is especially proud to be a trustee of Song in the City which brings together his passions for music, supporting those with mental health challenges and facilitating collaborative creativity.