Mike was born and grew up in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, and started learning the viola at the age of 9. It wasn’t actually his first choice - “I wanted to learn violin but was asked to learn the viola and was too scared to say no”.

He went on to study at Huddersfield Polytechnic with Vivienne Campbell for 1 year before moving to the Royal Northern College of Music to start a 4 year course. He studied at the RNCM with Roger Bigley and Yuko Inoue.

After graduating from the RNCM Mike freelanced in the North West for 3 years before joining the CBSO as Tutti Viola in 1996. He was subsequently promoted to Sub Principal Viola in 2004. In his time in the orchestra he has enjoyed working with Simon Rattle, Sakari Oramo and Andris Nelsons. Mike's highlights in the orchestra include Beethoven Cycles in Salzburg and Bonn, Elgar Gerontius Kingdom and Apostles Weekend, and Mahler 3 concerts with Andris.

Away from the CBSO Mike’s interests include cars, house renovation and brewing beer.