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.
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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.
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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.
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Chair of the City of London Police Professionalism and Trust Committee
(May 2023 – Present)
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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)