What we do
Non-Executive Director
What Michael brings to the world of NED: I bring 20 years of experience as a Non-Executive Director. I excel in providing guidance to strategic initiatives to the board and executives/senior leadership. I bring an independent, objective perspective, along with 30 years of experience as a consultant and advisor to organisations working to design, implement and embed complex organisational change. My contributions include providing strategic guidance, ensuring good governance and ethical conduct, and acting as a sounding board to help the executives navigate risks and opportunities.
Why would you want Michael on your Board of Directors: I believe I am engaging, passionate, and collaborative. I bring constructive challenge. Acting as a critical friend, I am known for asking probing questions that challenge assumptions. I bring ‘that diverse voice’ that offers a different perspective. I strive to bring that different perspective to ensure decisions are well considered and are in the best interest of the company.
I offer expertise and experience that, in the past, have helped shape the company or organisations' overall strategy, risk management. I provide an impartial view, detached from the day-to-day operations, which helps boards and executives to make objective decisions. Specifically in my areas of knowledge and experience: Organisational Change, Business Transformation, Leadership and Talent, Organisational Effectiveness, Culture Change and Transformation, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. On these topics I believe I can offer a fresh perspective that identifies new opportunities or risks, and I can provide insights from my prior experience in related sectors.
How Michael works as a NED: My prior experience working with the City of London Police (CoLP) and my time with openDemocracy have shown me that being a NED is more than attending quarterly board meetings and board away days. My preferred way of working is to ‘get under the skin’ of an organisation. I believe that to be truly effective, you must truly understand the organisation. At openDemocracy I have worked closely with several Editor-in-Chiefs, and Operational Executives as a sounding board. During my time at CoLP along with my membership of the Police Authority Board, I have been appointed as the Chair of the Professionalism and Trust board subcommittee. The focus of this subcommittee is officer and staff conduct and culture, with a specific focus on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
CURRENT NON-EXECUTIVE ROLES
openDemocracy is an independent international media platform, providing a vital space for analysis, comment, and debate on issues ranging from democracy, gender and human rights to economics and climate change.
Non-Executive Board Member
(May 2008 – Present)
The City of London Police is the territorial police force responsible for law enforcement within the Square Mile.
The Professionalism and Trust Committee of the Police Authority Board plays a key role in the effective scrutiny and oversight of the City of London Police. As such, it is responsible for scrutinising the Force’s handling of complaints; where appropriate, conducting reviews of complaints handled by the force; monitoring the Force’s work in respect of conduct and appeals proceedings; and monitoring government, police authorities and other external agencies’ policies and actions relating to professional standards and advising the Police Authority Board or Commissioner as appropriate.
Chair of the City of London Police Professionalism and Trust Committee
(May 2023 – Present)
External Member of the City of London Police Authority Board
(Sept 2022 – Present)
External Member of the City of London Police Local Policing Committee
(May 2024 – Present)
External Member of Professional Standards and Integrity Committee
(May 2021 - Apr 2023)