Profile

Mike was born in Edinburgh to a Scots / Irish father and Lebanese mother, spent his early years in Pakistan and left school at the age of 15 on a unique journey of discovery.

During a ‘badly wired’and drug fuelled youth in the 60's, Mike slept on the streets of London and busked in Dublin before a near death experience became a ‘turning point’. His new found work ethic saw him carrying bricks, fitting carpets, selling linoleum, furniture and suits, corking French wine, and working shifts in a steel works and biscuit factory. He had spells as a hospital orderly, youth worker, community worker and ran children’s playschemes. Mike has played guitar and performed on stage and in films – and all this before he entered the world of marketing.

Since setting up Design Links 13 years ago, Mike has helped countless businesses and public service agencies attain the seemingly impossible. He is at his most inspiring and persuasive talking about modernising public services, improving customer service and backing our young people to be the best they can be. Now he wants us all to have that added edge in life.