--- title: Michael Horsley date: 2025-09-26T17:10:00+01:00 author: Annette B canonical_url: "https://www.connectd.com/mentors/michael-horsley" section: Mentors --- ## Michael Horsley Mentor Sector: Technology Location: UK ![](/uploads/Images/_800x800_crop_center-center_90_none/Anaplan7-113410.jpg) **Experienced board advisor and NED with an MBA and a Big 4 background, supporting leadership teams across the growth journey from early-stage startups to established scale-ups and larger companies.** Michael brings deep expertise in customer success, operational strategy, and organisational transformation, with a focus on SaaS/cloud technology, manufacturing, supply chain, and logistics. He's known for aligning board-level strategy with operational execution, ensuring commercial growth is matched by strong governance and sustainable customer outcomes. As a qualified ICF Coach and EMCC-accredited Mentor, Michael works with leadership teams and individuals to build capability, confidence, and clarity, particularly in fast-paced, complex environments, to overcome challenges and achieve growth. He's passionate about helping advisors and NEDs shape their own portfolio journeys, build influence at board level, and drive meaningful value in the businesses they support. ### Board Level, Advisor and Fractional Experience - Strategic Advisor: Global Digital Consultancy - Chair: Leeds Peer2Peer Board - Chair of Board: Outreach and Community Centre Charity - Strategic Advisor/COO/Chief of Staff: Global eCommerce Retailer - Leader in Residence: Business School - Non-Exec- Director: Video and Amination Company - Board Advisor: Telecoms Infrastructure - Board Member and Vice Chair: Mental Health and Wellbeing Charity - Fractional Customer Success Lead: Fin Tech ### Key Skills - Global Leadership and Team Scaling - Operational Framework Implementation - Customer Experience Management - Board Governance and Strategic Advising - Risk Management and Go-to-Market Strategy - Service Sales and Revenue Growth - Contract Negotiation and Commercial Strategy - Digital Transformation and Change Management - Data-Driven Decision Making - Executive Relationship and Partnership Management - Coaching, Mentoring, and Team Development - Building High-Performing Teams ### Industries - **Manufacturing/Supply Chain/Logistics/Procurement:** - Automotive - Telecoms - Consumer Products - **Saas Cloud Technology:** - AI/ML - Connected Business and Scenario Planning - Application Development/UI - Service Management - Technology Business Management (TBM) - Content and Graphics Management ### Qualifications/Credentials - MBA - Business Honours 1st - Qualified ICF Coach - EMCC Accredited Certified Mentor - Certified Customer Success Management Professional ## Our TrustPilot reviews > I would love to appreciate the entire connectd team for supporting my early-stage start up become investment ready by gaining access to talented advisors. They understood the business needs of Butterfly Wellness and now I've have found new confidence in my team. > Connectd support throughout the advisory placement process has been clear, proactive, and genuinely helpful. Nathanael took the time to understand both parties and facilitate a great fit, with a professional yet approachable style that really made a difference. The platform itself is intuitive and easy to navigate, and the personal service has made the experience feel both premium and purposeful. > The placement facilitation call covered the agenda items, including introductions, confirmation of the placement agreement, clarification of roles and responsibilities, review of the terms of engagement, and scheduling of the next meeting date. > The placement facilitation call covered the agenda items, including introductions, confirmation of the placement agreement, clarification of roles and responsibilities, review of the terms of engagement, and scheduling of the next meeting date. > We had a fantastic experience with Connectd. Within just two weeks, we successfully onboarded two high-caliber board advisors—something that would’ve taken months through traditional channels. Highly recommend Connectd to any startup looking to grow their network and bring experienced talent on board quickly. > Starting my first Board Advisor role. So far the journey has been professional, very good content and impressive online platform and experience. > I am a new advisor member of the Connectd community and my experience so far has been very positive. It's always good to connect with other professionals, and its been great to connect with Founders with energising goals and ideas. > This is a goldmine for any Founder, especially solo-founder, looking for pro-bono high quality advisory roles to bolster your startup! The team at Connectd are extremely helpful and friendly, big shoutout to Harriet, Emily, and James! > Was a bit dubious at first but after completing the board advisory course, I was appointed a mentor and she is fantastic! She has given me so many useful insights and helped me recreate profiles and CVs. I was worried at first as I hadn’t heard anything about placements but I was then contacted and a placement given to me. Really looking forward to working with the company and hopefully helping them grow. > I attended my first Connectd event in NYC this week and I felt the location, curation of people and ideas that were shared were extremely unique. I am a very new member, but my initial thoughts are that the Connectd community has a common goal to collaborate, build, invest in, and launch great products and businesses. As an advisor and product leader with a development team that is passionate about development, this is the perfect place for me at this point in my career. > I have enjoyed the Connectd experience to date. The training materials helped me get my mind in the right place for doing something I've never done before, being a consulting board member. And, I feel that my placement was a real good fit for my interests. Very happy. Previus Slide Next Slide