As the Managing Director of Gleeds’ International business, Michael tackles a broad role, working closely with our regional and country business leaders from around the world. He provides support and guidance to assist in the development of their longer-term objectives and strategy, and to ensure these align with the strategic direction of the group.
All locations, like our clients, have their unique characteristics, and Michael has had the opportunity to experience many. Living and working in Asia prior to joining Gleeds allowed Michael to experience the cultural diversity of the region and the necessity to understand the importance of local custom and practice. This experience has proved beneficial in assisting in the development of Gleeds’ International office network. Our international leaders now manage over 50 offices outside the UK, and collectively engage more than 1,500 professional employees. Together, they strive to balance the unique requirements of clients across diverse regions, while respecting the cultural outlook of each market, to fulfil both local and international requirements. "It really is important to engage with your local market. It is simply a matter of respect, and ultimately good business practice."
For Michael, a typical day doesn’t exist! In over 20 years with Gleeds, it is the variety and the opportunity to support the development of our international businesses which creates the differentiator. Working across national borders from the west coast of the United States through to the east coast of Australia encompasses a wonderful level of working diversity where no two days are ever the same. His goal is to foster an atmosphere of open and effective collaboration, promoting quality communication to assist our local businesses to continue to deliver world-class services in support of our clients.
I take incredible pride in how the international business has flourished. I have been privileged to work with really talented business leaders who have grown those businesses to a level of maturity that we can all be truly proud of. They deliver for our clients in all parts of the world, ranging from major programme and complex projects through to discrete schemes, but understand that all are equally important to their respective clients.
Michael enjoys living in his hometown of London, which provides him with great music venues, fabulous theatre, world class sports venues and “probably the best football team in the UK”.