Michael qualified as a solicitor in 1979 and subsequently set up a legal practice (which he ran from 1980 to 1987), later diversifying into property development from 1985 onwards for some 6 years.

In 1992 Michael co-founded the Helphire Group plc, which listed on the Main List of the London Stock Exchange in 1997. Michael ran the Company as Chief Executive before moving to the role of Executive Chairman and subsequently retiring in June 2005.

In early 2005 Michael co-founded the LAMP Group Limited, a specialist legal expense insurer, which is expected to come to the market in 2008, and has the role of Executive Chairman.