Michael is a founding partner of Buro Happold, and became Chairman in 1996 until stepping down in 2005. Since 2006 he has continued as a Senior Consultant at Buro Happold. He is also a visiting Professor of Engineering Design at Bath School of Architecture and Civil Engineering.
Michael's activities in support of the whole industry include serving as a Member of Lord Justice Taylor's Working Group on the Safety of Sports Grounds. He was a Member of the Standing Committee on Structural Safety, and is a Director of Theatre Royal, Bath with responsibility for building development. He chaired the Institution of Structural Engineers, Building for a Sustainable Future: Construction without Depletion.
He was elected Fellow of The Royal Academy of Engineering in 1999 and Honorary Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects in 2001.
He was Chairman of the Construction Industry Council from June 2000 - June 2002.
In September 2002 he became Chairman of nCRISP, the Construction Research and Innovation Strategy Panel until July 2004.
He was awarded the CBE in 2005.
In September 2005 he became President of the Institution of Structural Engineers until September 2006. He is now Senior Vice President.
In 2007 he was appointed as a representative of the Institution of Structural Engineers to the Joint Board of Moderators.
In 2007 Michael was given an Honorary Doctorate at the University of Bath.