About me
I'm an experienced digital and UX professional, with 25 years agency-side, making digital experiences that work for global brands including Amazon, Ford, McDonald's, Jaguar Land Rover and Vodafone. Download my CV here.
For the past two years, I've been a Principal UX Consultant at a Cambridge agency, leading major engagements from discovery to delivery, including stakeholder interviews and workshops, requirements specification, UX strategy, information architecture, UX design, wireframing and prototyping, design systems, documentation and developer hand-off. I've also been taking the product-owner role on projects: holding requirements, client relationship, and delivery through implementation and QA.
Before that, I spent over 20 years at Flag, a corporate communications and ESG specialist agency. I started there as a web developer, and grew into a senior leadership role with overall responsibility for the digital team and all digital output, as well as managing the IT/cybersecurity function and strategy for the organisation. At Flag, and in my subsequent role, I was also involved in estimating, creating proposals and pitching for new business opportunities.
In 2018, I completed an MSc in Human-Computer Interaction Design (HCID) at City, University of London, which I studied part-time for two years alongside my full-time day job, graduating with distinction.
At the moment, I'm really interested in how AI is transforming UX and product design. With the right approach, it can amplify the ability and output of UX practitioners who can apply their judgement and expertise to direct it appropriately. I've been using AI tools across every aspect of my role, from design to implementation, and am currently experimenting with a variety of AI-assisted workflows and applications.
What I'm like
- I take responsibility; when something needs to be done, I'll take it on.
- Understanding the context is key: the inputs, influences, constraints, needs and behaviours.
- My approach to problem solving is logical, systematic and critical-thinking led.
- Quality and attention to detail are key strengths, but I'm also pragmatic; able to identify the tools, activities and processes that will move things forward.
- My broad background enables me to communicate effectively and productively with all stakeholders: client, CEO, developer, and everything in between.
Outside of work
I'm a keen runner, on the committee of my local run club, and am part of a relay team running from London to Paris in September in aid of Air Ambulance and Samaritans (you can donate here). I'm also trying to check off all of the Superhalfs, and have done various ultramarathon events.
Other than that, I enjoy snowboarding (a late starter, but I love it), riding my motorbike, and walking my golden retriever, Ferris. Oh, and I once broke my leg in a Sunday league football match, and played on for 15 mins before driving home.
A few testimonials
Mike is a consummate professional. He knows his business and is always pursuing new knowledge to stay current with trends and their technical applications. One of Mike’s qualities that impresses me the most is his amazing attention to detail. In a situation where your work product has so much public scrutiny, it is important to not only do it well, but to get it absolutely correct. Mike is also innovative and creative. Maybe best of all, along with all of his best-in-class professionalism, he is simply a pleasant person with whom to work.
Working with Mike has been an absolute dream. His attention to detail, efficiency and creativity made the whole project a joy to work on, ensuring a smooth process which allowed us to deliver a complex solution, on time and on budget, much to the client’s delight.
I’ve had the pleasure of working with Mike on both a collaborative inter-agency project and as a client. Mike, quite simply, is one of the good guys. He’s technically sound, has an impeccable eye for detail and strongly favours usability over design for design’s sake. He is firm but fair, knowledgeable, and draws on others’ expertise where necessary; his rounded experience and expertise would make him a great leader or mentor. Mike communicates clearly and effectively, in both technical and layman’s terms, and makes sure nothing is missed or misinterpreted. He’s super-organised, thorough, reliable and has a cool, calm approach and friendly manner.
If we could carve out a role for Mike here, we’d snatch him up in a heartbeat.