About

Trained in 3D design in Northern Ireland and Germany, Michael Thomson established Design Connect in London in 1995.

As a strategist and facilitator Michael helps businesses and organisations around the world to evolve their visions and strategies for growth.

In addition to his on-going consultancy work, Michael served as a Board Member, Vice President and then President of BEDA, the Bureau of European Design Associations, from 2000 to 2009. Together with the BEDA Board, he initiated and led the complex, high-level lobbying process to the European Commission that resulted in the inclusion of design in the EU’s Innovation Strategy, ‘Innovation Union’ in 2010.

From 2001 to 2005 he served two terms as an elected member of the international Executive Board of ICSID, the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design, (rebranded the World Design Organisation in January 2017).

In 2013 Michael was appointed as inaugural ‘Japan Design Ambassador’ by the Japan Institute of Design Promotion and an Honorary Fellow of Aalto University, Helsinki. In 2014, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Arts by the University of Brighton in recognition of his “significant contribution to design”.

Michael has recently completed his training as an Executive and Business Coach on the UK’s Barefoot Programme.