Strategic adviser and speaker
Clear thinking for consequential decisions
I work with leaders facing difficult choices about business, change and public policy. Through Growth for Good, I help organisations test their assumptions, understand the wider context and prepare their next steps.
Where I can help
Commercial strategy
Testing priorities, assumptions and the decisions behind growth.
Business transformation
Understanding what change asks of an organisation and its leadership.
Public policy and governance
Understanding the decision-making environment, strengthening scrutiny and preparing a credible case.
I offer this advice through Growth for Good, alongside its work on strategic engagement advice.
Experience
I have worked in large-scale corporate transformation and have run small businesses across several sectors. I am a former MP and MSP. I use that mix to test political and policy ideas against commercial realities such as customers, cash flow and what an organisation can deliver.
Working with Growth for Good
I am a strategic adviser at Growth for Good, an independent Scottish firm that gives senior advice to organisations making consequential decisions about growth, investment and change. Growth for Good was founded by Drew Hendry, and I work as part of its team.
Selected insights
Governance isn’t just for dummies.
Michelle argues that businesses, charities and social enterprises of any size make better decisions when responsibility and accountability are clear. She also makes the case for boards that include people willing to challenge a comfortable consensus.
Backing women-led businesses in Scotland is economic common sense
Michelle explains why supporting women-led businesses matters for growth and productivity across Scotland. She looks at how lending criteria built around collateral and unbroken records can leave capable founders short of funding.
The map is not the territory
Michelle looks at why advice about government only helps if it reflects how companies really make investment decisions. Businesses can be too cautious about political signals, and can underestimate how untidy public decision-making is.
Start a conversation
If you are weighing a significant decision, get in touch about working together or about a speaking engagement.