Mike trained as a chemist at the University of Liverpool followed by a PhD in surface chemistry and post doctoral positions in Sweden and the USA. A career in the chemical industry followed with a variety of scientific and technical roles with ICI including working in corporate research, catalysts, fertilizers, environmental technology and technology consulting.

Since leaving ICI in 2001 Mike has been working in knowledge transfer facilitating collaborative R&D projects between companies and universities to support innovation within the companies. Initially this was with the University of Wales with a focus on microfluidics, microengineering and photonics before taking up the role of Industrial Liaison Manager with the Organic Materials Innovation Centre. OMIC is now part of the KCMC and Mike has the wider responsibilities of a Knowledge Transfer manager within the KCMC