Mike Holding - Audit Chair
Managing Director - Contract Chemicals
Mike graduated from Liverpool Polytechnic in 1986 with an Honours degree in Industrial Chemistry. He joined ICI Plant Protection Division as a research chemist on the discovery of novel insecticide compounds. In 1989 he moved to Betz Ltd as a Sales Engineer, selling and servicing water treatment chemicals to industry in the North West.
He then returned to full-time education between 1991 and 1993, completing a Masters in Business Administration degree at Manchester Business School. Following the MBA, Mike joined Contract Chemicals as Marketing Manager, became a Board Member in 1996 and has been Managing Director for the last 5 years. The company has a turnover of £25 million and employs 104 people.
His external responsibilities are as Chairman of the International Business Promotion Committee of the CIA and as a Member of the Northwest International Business Forum (UKTI and NWDA). He was part of the working group in the CIA that looked at the economic aspects for the Sustainable Development Guiding Principles.
Mike lives with his long-term partner in Mollington, Chester and has two young children. Most of his spare time is taken up trying to entertain or keep up with the children.
