Sir David Michels has seen it all corporate Britain. From starting out at Grand Metropolitan to taking on the deputy chair roles at retailer Marks & Spencer and airline EasyJet, Michels has been involved in some of the UK’s most well known businesses.
In the middle of all this he played a key role in bringing together the two parts of the Hilton empire after a 40-year split. The US and International businesses had been run separately ever since the breakup in 1964 but eventually came back together in 2005.
Earlier this year we caught up with Sir David to discuss his career, the role of the asset manager and what it was like working at M&S.
On starting Michels and Taylor
DM: There was no thinking at all. It was a complete accident.
On why the big hotel companies split their assets from their operations
DM: The reason it happened is because Wall Street, and London said, you're either marketing company or real estate owner, make your minds up, your share price will be higher if you make your mind up.
On the two Hiltons coming together
DM: We were always engaged, because we shared reservation systems and seats on the board and all that. And it happened that during my tenure, we finally reached a deal.
On working at M&S
DM: It's a brand was such sustenance, that it will remain in some shape or form, I think forever. But as everybody it has to change.