Quotes
"Michael took the subsidiary company of Inmarsat known as Invsat based in
Aberdeen specialising in broadband satellite communication and system
integration from a loss making organisation to profit. His attention to
detail and his balanced approach to business and those who worked either with
him at Invsat or within the industry were key factors for turning the business
around. Michael during his time as Managing Director had to balance the
daily management of a small organisation while reporting to the much larger
corporate management structure of a London based satellite
communications provider. He was able to balance the two very different styles of
management very well."
- Robert Johnson, Former Chairman, Invsat
"During the multi-year project, I was consistently impressed with the level
of communication and professionalism exhibited by Invsat, and Michael in
particular."
- Chris Hapgood, Director, iFleet, Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine
"Michael served as Managing Director of Invsat Ltd a company Inmarsat
acquired based in Aberdeen, Scotland. As CFO of Inmarsat Ltd, the parent
company, I served on the Board as a director. He carried the company
forward from its acquisition paying close attention to cost containment and cash
improvement and while instituting a plan for growing the business. He was
able to repay the inter-company loans on schedule, improve EBITDA and keep the
top ine from faltering at a time when market conditions were deteriorating with
lower cost competition coming primarily from the Far East. Overall, a very good
performance in a tough market and a good demonstration of perseverance in
adversity and maintaining troop morale."
- Ramin Khadem, Former CFO, Inmarsat
"Michael demonstrated great tenacity as a member of the team who worked on
the initial transition of Inmarsat to a private company. Then, as one of
two HRDs, he continued the change process towards commercialisation, again by
working with others to open new international offices, becoming the Director of
a new offshore employment company, agreeing new contracts and launching a new
staff forum. Michael then moved to Aberdeen as interim General Manager of
Invsat, a newly acquired and struggling business. He quickly led a
dramatic turnaround in company performance, generated new product areas and
opened new markets. As a result, he was promoted to the Board, became
Managing Director, and led the company until its successful sale; a process he
initiated by completing a strategic risk assessment of changing market
conditions and identifying the ultimate buyer. During the 9 years Michael
was at Inmarsat, he was very loyal to the company. He was very passionate
about effecting change which was right for both the business and its employees,
with a diligent attitude to work through any issues to deliver a successful
outcome."
- Alison Horrocks, Company Secretary, Inmarsat
“Michael helped Howden to reorganize our business. Michael's role was to help
us to describe our current state and our desired future state, develop teams and
provide tools to address the gap. The end result was a well researched and
detailed plan recommended to leadership. It was disappointing that we did
not implement the plan in its entirety at the time, however even more than a
year later we continue to implement design ideas that Michael helped us to
develop. I would definitely recommend Michael as an extremely insightful and
helpful business consultant.”
- Dawn Lanier, SPHR, Howden Buffalo
"Michael and I worked together during one of the most significantly difficult
change management challenges in the life of the company. Our efforts
achieved superior results to the benefit of the company and its employees.
Michael is a true HR professional and an accomplished and effective manager of
people projects and organizations. He displays sound judgment in planning,
organizing and executing programs and achieving results. His experience in
both HRD and senior management as well as extensive experience in all aspects of
human resources and general management contribute to his effectiveness as an
ideal team player and leader."
- Bob Dahlgren, Former Director of Human Resources, Inmarsat
"I met Michael in April last year and worked with him on a regular basis during 2007.
I am a General Manager working for a concert hall in the North West and Michael
was my mentor. Michael's experience is vast and varied and it was helpful to me
to be able to share information and to be able to learn value, practical advice from
Michael which greatly assisted me in my work. This ranged from staff management i
ssues to operational planning and report writing."
- Patricia Peter, General Manager, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
"During my time at Invsat, Michael always had an open door policy. He
was very kind and always had the right balance of answer should you ask him
something; praise when needed and advice gained from years of experience at the
upper levels of management. If you are either working alongside Michael or
are soon to be, you won't be let down."
- Gavin Henry, Project Engineer, Invsat
"I found Michael to be someone who was dedicated and liked a challenge.
I appreciated his support and respect for various women in the company in key
decision making roles."
- Cathy Simpson, Engineering Manager, Invsat
"Michael arrived at Invsat during a period of great transition from both a
business and physical perspective. He provided the impetus to take us into
new markets, in which we subsequently thrived and also oversaw the move of all
the company assets and personnel to a new purpose built premises without
impacting customer services. He is by nature an optimistic person and has
a great belief in leading by example. I would also recommend his style of
inclusive management and recognise that many within the company benefited from
his openness and willingness to face up to problems."
- Ken Smith, Former Operations,Director, Invsat
"I have worked with Michael through the London Business School where I both
chair the Alumni Board and am a Governor. Michael has impressed me with
the work that he has completed as Chair of the Governance and Nominations
Committee. As a past chair I know how difficult this role can be.
Michael is an invaluable member of the Alumni Volunteer team because
of his work and his integrity. In addition Michael has been instrumental
in persuading the School to both focus on and devote resources to a key
initiative...Lifelong learning."
- David Williams, Operating Partner, Duke Street Capital LLP
"During the last two years Michael has been involved in two due diligence
projects which due to their outcome must remain confidential. In both
cases Michael advised that, following his identification of apparent inadequate
financial control, ineffective governance and poor risk management, the
intended investment should not proceed."
Aberdeen specialising in broadband satellite communication and system
integration from a loss making organisation to profit. His attention to
detail and his balanced approach to business and those who worked either with
him at Invsat or within the industry were key factors for turning the business
around. Michael during his time as Managing Director had to balance the
daily management of a small organisation while reporting to the much larger
corporate management structure of a London based satellite
communications provider. He was able to balance the two very different styles of
management very well."
- Robert Johnson, Former Chairman, Invsat
"During the multi-year project, I was consistently impressed with the level
of communication and professionalism exhibited by Invsat, and Michael in
particular."
- Chris Hapgood, Director, iFleet, Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine
"Michael served as Managing Director of Invsat Ltd a company Inmarsat
acquired based in Aberdeen, Scotland. As CFO of Inmarsat Ltd, the parent
company, I served on the Board as a director. He carried the company
forward from its acquisition paying close attention to cost containment and cash
improvement and while instituting a plan for growing the business. He was
able to repay the inter-company loans on schedule, improve EBITDA and keep the
top ine from faltering at a time when market conditions were deteriorating with
lower cost competition coming primarily from the Far East. Overall, a very good
performance in a tough market and a good demonstration of perseverance in
adversity and maintaining troop morale."
- Ramin Khadem, Former CFO, Inmarsat
"Michael demonstrated great tenacity as a member of the team who worked on
the initial transition of Inmarsat to a private company. Then, as one of
two HRDs, he continued the change process towards commercialisation, again by
working with others to open new international offices, becoming the Director of
a new offshore employment company, agreeing new contracts and launching a new
staff forum. Michael then moved to Aberdeen as interim General Manager of
Invsat, a newly acquired and struggling business. He quickly led a
dramatic turnaround in company performance, generated new product areas and
opened new markets. As a result, he was promoted to the Board, became
Managing Director, and led the company until its successful sale; a process he
initiated by completing a strategic risk assessment of changing market
conditions and identifying the ultimate buyer. During the 9 years Michael
was at Inmarsat, he was very loyal to the company. He was very passionate
about effecting change which was right for both the business and its employees,
with a diligent attitude to work through any issues to deliver a successful
outcome."
- Alison Horrocks, Company Secretary, Inmarsat
“Michael helped Howden to reorganize our business. Michael's role was to help
us to describe our current state and our desired future state, develop teams and
provide tools to address the gap. The end result was a well researched and
detailed plan recommended to leadership. It was disappointing that we did
not implement the plan in its entirety at the time, however even more than a
year later we continue to implement design ideas that Michael helped us to
develop. I would definitely recommend Michael as an extremely insightful and
helpful business consultant.”
- Dawn Lanier, SPHR, Howden Buffalo
"Michael and I worked together during one of the most significantly difficult
change management challenges in the life of the company. Our efforts
achieved superior results to the benefit of the company and its employees.
Michael is a true HR professional and an accomplished and effective manager of
people projects and organizations. He displays sound judgment in planning,
organizing and executing programs and achieving results. His experience in
both HRD and senior management as well as extensive experience in all aspects of
human resources and general management contribute to his effectiveness as an
ideal team player and leader."
- Bob Dahlgren, Former Director of Human Resources, Inmarsat
"I met Michael in April last year and worked with him on a regular basis during 2007.
I am a General Manager working for a concert hall in the North West and Michael
was my mentor. Michael's experience is vast and varied and it was helpful to me
to be able to share information and to be able to learn value, practical advice from
Michael which greatly assisted me in my work. This ranged from staff management i
ssues to operational planning and report writing."
- Patricia Peter, General Manager, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
"During my time at Invsat, Michael always had an open door policy. He
was very kind and always had the right balance of answer should you ask him
something; praise when needed and advice gained from years of experience at the
upper levels of management. If you are either working alongside Michael or
are soon to be, you won't be let down."
- Gavin Henry, Project Engineer, Invsat
"I found Michael to be someone who was dedicated and liked a challenge.
I appreciated his support and respect for various women in the company in key
decision making roles."
- Cathy Simpson, Engineering Manager, Invsat
"Michael arrived at Invsat during a period of great transition from both a
business and physical perspective. He provided the impetus to take us into
new markets, in which we subsequently thrived and also oversaw the move of all
the company assets and personnel to a new purpose built premises without
impacting customer services. He is by nature an optimistic person and has
a great belief in leading by example. I would also recommend his style of
inclusive management and recognise that many within the company benefited from
his openness and willingness to face up to problems."
- Ken Smith, Former Operations,Director, Invsat
"I have worked with Michael through the London Business School where I both
chair the Alumni Board and am a Governor. Michael has impressed me with
the work that he has completed as Chair of the Governance and Nominations
Committee. As a past chair I know how difficult this role can be.
Michael is an invaluable member of the Alumni Volunteer team because
of his work and his integrity. In addition Michael has been instrumental
in persuading the School to both focus on and devote resources to a key
initiative...Lifelong learning."
- David Williams, Operating Partner, Duke Street Capital LLP
"During the last two years Michael has been involved in two due diligence
projects which due to their outcome must remain confidential. In both
cases Michael advised that, following his identification of apparent inadequate
financial control, ineffective governance and poor risk management, the
intended investment should not proceed."
