Michael has 38 years’ experience working in the public sector across Northern Ireland government departments and the health and social care sector. He has unique experience of having worked in senior roles in the NI Department of Health, regional commissioning organisation and service provider over the past 25 years.

Michael led the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service as chief executive during a period of significant pressure and challenge from 2018 to 2025, leading the development and implementation of a long-term strategic plan which has transformed operational service delivery and organisational culture. He has developed strong partnership working with trade unions, having successfully resolved a 14-year agenda for change pay dispute, and is known to his colleagues as a values driven leader with a passion for building collective and compassionate leadership.

He has significantly raised the profile and reputation of NIAS and positioned the service as a critical part of the wider health and social care system reform programme.

Michael has also held several wider system leadership roles, having been chair of the HSC Trust chief executives group, chair of NICON, a board member of the NHS Confederation and NI public sector chief executives forum.

He has significant experience over many years of promoting and supporting collaborative working across government departments, local government, arm’s length bodies, the community and voluntary sector, and with universities and the private sector.

Michael has a strong commitment to the development of individuals and teams and has considerable experience of providing mentoring support to senior leaders across the public services.