Michael began his career as a management consultant and later as a credit officer for a Dutch bank. He then spent four years in South East Asia, working as an SME Development Expert for an INGO, and as investment officer for an international investment fund for rural energy.

Michael has a Master’s Degree in International Relations from the University of Twente and an MBA from Nyenrode University, both in the Netherlands, as well as a Postgraduate Certificate in Business and Development from Imperial College, UK. He is a Dutch national and speaks Dutch, English, and German.