began his career by working as an articled clerk and then as a chartered accountant for KPMG. After running his own private practice, Michael moved into the area of commercial property. He later established Lee Valley Estates, an umbrella organisation incorporating several different estate management companies with commercial property interests. He has served as its chairman for over twenty years. Lee Valley Estates supports several charities and not-for-profit projects in Enfield, Haringey and Waltham Forrest. He is a director of Enterprise Enfield and North London Business and a trustee of the RSA Trust. As a director of RSA Island Village Ltd, Michael is continually involved in the development and maintenance of the RSA Island Centre.