Michael is a Middle East specialist and is well-known in business circles both in the UK and abroad. Originally working for the Kuwait Shipping Company in the 1970s, Michael has handled many of the major projects working not only with Arab Governments and private sector consignees but also international suppliers and contractors from all over the world. On returning to the UK, Michael joined the Committee for Middle East Trade as a Director, and then Director General of the Middle East Association, representing 70% of all UK businesses working with the Middle East, alongside his role as the British Government’s advisor on trade with other areas in the Middle East. During these roles, Michael led numerous UK trade missions to the Middle East and large-scale conferences in several GCC countries on banking, trade and investment.
Michael is leading ILS’s growing work on issues associated with Middle East trade and investment, as well as its engagement with key stakeholders and partner institutions across the region.