Michael spent much of his childhood in and out of care. He was expelled from more than one school, eventually leaving with no qualifications to mention. He drifted into petty crime in his early adulthood and generally seemed to be heading down a steep and slippery slope.

Looking back to his youth, Michael recalls the turning point in his life. The owner of a small aluminium company was prepared to "take a risk" and employ him as a junior. Due to his sheer fright at the looming prospect of a jail sentence Michael threw himself into his work. It was this humble start sweeping the factory floor that enabled Michael to become what he is today. He has not forgotten this, indeed it has become his personal mission to see that others can be given such chances.

By working closely with the Apex Trust (He is a Trustee), Michael succeeds in helping people who would otherwise struggle to get a start in life. The Apex Trust aims to help people with criminal records obtain jobs or self-employment. They achieve this aim by providing them with the skills they need in the labour market, by working to break down the barriers to their employment and increasing employment opportunities in communities with high levels of crime.

Michael is able to help the Trust in many ways. He has over the years taken on a number of employees through Apex. Michael helps with raising the public profile of the Trust, having spoken at numerous meetings and appeared on several television programmes.

He has also become ‘well known’ through his work on the BBC’s ‘To Catch a Thief’ programmes, which, by the end of the series, was achieving an audience of 8 million viewers. Such was his popularity that two series of "Beat the Burglar" were commissioned from the BBC.

Michael’s series for Channel 4, entitled, "Going Straight", followed eight people with criminal records who were offered a chance to hold-down a job running a flower shop in London. Mike acted as chief mentor and in particular helped them develop the self-discipline required to make themselves and the venture work.

Audiences readily take to Michael, recognising his strength of character, determination and the art of persuasion which he uses to highlight the dangers we all have of becoming a victim of crime. Fully committed to giving advice on how to avoid being just such a victim Michael talks to business people and 'decision makers' alike helping them to re-appraise their attitudes as to what makes a criminal and what can be done to turn them into useful members of society. (Sadly, the majority of kids brought up in care, end up with a criminal record and most never get out of the vicious circle of crime/institutions). Michael has a ready wit, so any talk on his life and work will make the audience both laugh and cry, and will also change their attitudes and perceptions.
Twitter Name - #beattheburglar