Biography: Michael Howell HonFCGI

Michael Howell was elected Chairman of the Council of City & Guilds in September 2006. He is a former Treasurer and has now served on the Executive Committee for seven years. He was awarded Honorary Fellowship in 2006.

Michael is an experienced board director in the manufacturing, distribution, engineering and transport sectors in both the UK and the US. He has experience in operations, customer relations, strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions. 

From 2002 to 2006 Michael was CEO of Tie Ltd, a company responsible for major transport projects in Scotland (including a new tram system and airport rail link for Edinburgh). He is currently a Director of Wabtec Inc and Hutchison China Meditech Ltd. He is also a Governor of the Clothworkers' Foundation and Chairman of Evo Electric Limited.

Michael has previously been a Director of Railtrack Group Plc, Executive Chairman of FPT Group Ltd, a Director of Fenner plc, a member of the Advisory Board of EuroSourceLine GmbH and President of the European Power Transmission Distributors' Association. He had previously worked at General Electric (GE), Cummins Engine Company, and British Leyland.