Michael graduated from University of Warwick in 1990 with a degree in Physics. He subsequently obtained an MSc in Applied Optics from Salford University and a PhD in Telecommunications (Wavelength Division Multiplexing in Passive Optical Networks) from Manchester Metropolitan University.

Prior to joining the patent profession, he worked as an engineer for Fujitsu Networks Europe, working in product development and standardisation for long haul and metropolitan area optical communications systems. He has also lectured in telecommunications and multimedia at the University of Hertfordshire.

He joined the Patent Office in 2008 as a patent examiner. He joined Brookes Batchelor as a trainee patent attorney in 2011 and moved to Marks and Clerk in 2014. He qualified as a European and UK patent attorney in 2015