About Michael
I’m a Board Director, shareholder, and one of the founders of MRG, having joined in 2008. I lead our estates and facilities management business, which specialises in higher education, life sciences, and schools. We’ve recently launched two niche education brands, University People and Schools Leadership, focused on professional services appointments to complement our built environment specialisms.
Unusually for many search firms, I remain very hands-on in the delivery of recruitment campaigns and have worked solely in estates recruitment for the past 27 years.
Outside of work, I’m a Trustee of the Keaton Emery Foundation, supporting a mental health clinic for Centrepoint. I’ve also served as a Youth Leader and Trustee at St Peter’s Church, and I’m passionate about organisations delivering societal impact.
“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.
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Q&A With Michael
What makes MRG 'Different by Design'?
I think our success is due to our team taking a genuine interest in the organisations we represent and we adopt a holistic approach to candidate selection. Many of us are obsessed with buildings and very much view ourselves as being a partner for the long-term and provide impartial advice throughout every stage of the process. Many of our consultants have spent their entire careers in the built environment so have become adept at judging cultural fit. Hiring leaders is one of the most important decisions that an organisation makes and we take our role as the trusted advisor very seriously.
How has your career at MRG progressed?
I joined MRG in 2008 to set up our estates and facilities management division which over the last 17 years which has grown to be one of the market leaders. I joined the board in 2019 with responsibility for two of our niche brands University People and Schools Leadership. Over the last few years, MRG has become a global group and it has been fascinating to see the growth of our international team with all the inherent differences in culture and approach (along with the many similarities where I have realised that so many values are universal!). We have undertaken several international appointments in higher education including at Trinity College Dublin and the University of Auckland which have been really interesting to compare and contrast the approach with the UK.
What's the emerging trend in your sector specialism and how are you responding to this?
There has been a marked shift to organisations looking for leaders with significant career achievements in change and transformation. In higher education with a changing financial landscape, the ability to use the estate in more innovative ways is becoming increasingly sought after. This makes our preliminary screening interviews so vital to the process. Demonstrating a 'business as usual' track record is no longer enough.
How do you add value to your customers?
I view executive search and appointing leaders to be a vocation that comes with a heavy responsibility. You have a direct impact not only on the future direction of an organisation but also an individual's future career.
Is there a particular project that you have been involved in that you're proud of?
I fulfilled a career-long ambition in 2024 to represent the University of Oxford in appointing their new Director of Estates. It is an estate that is globally renowned and was the source of immense professional pride. I love heritage buildings and their estates are truly magical.
Track record
- Director of Estates, University of Oxford
- Estates Director, Royal Ballet & Opera
- Director of Estates, National Theatre
- Portfolio Director, UK Parliament
- Director of Estates, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew
- Chief Property Officer, University of Bristol
- Director of Estates & Facilities, Institute of Cancer Research
- Director of Estates, Babraham Research Campus
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