Michael Davis,

Managing Director, Ecorys

Michael is the UK Managing Director of Ecorys an international research based consultancy and management services business employing just under 500 people worldwide. In the UK, Ecorys works principally in areas of research, evaluation, programme and communications management and helps clients achieve their public policy goals through advice, analysis and hands on support.
 
Previously Michael was the Chief Executive of the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES), an executive non-departmental body that offers guidance on skills and employment issues in the UK and includes responsibility for managing Investors in People. Michael joined UKCES as the director of strategy and performance in 2009 and became interim CEO in 2010 and CEO in 2011. Prior to that Michael was Managing Director of CFE, which over 10 years he led from being a local start-up to becoming a national organisation providing research and management services in enterprise, skills and economic development.  
 
Michael has also been a governor and then Chairman of Leicester Further Education College, and a non-executive director then Chairman and investor in Lastolite, a leading manufacturer of lighting equipment for photographers. Michael studied Economics at Lancaster University graduating in 1994. His first few years post-graduation were spent in a range of roles covering, accountancy, audit, business development and public policy.