Michael Bishop (businessman)

Sir Michael Bishop, CBE (born February 10, 1942) is a British businessman who has spent his working life in civil aviation.

Career and Public Appointments

He was born in Bowdon, Cheshire, and educated at Mill Hill School in north London. In 1963 he joined Mercury Airlines, based at Manchester Airport, near his home. The small airline ceased its charter and scheduled flying operations in October 1964 and some of its UK routes were taken over by British Midland Airways.

After joining British Midland, Michael Bishop rose to become General Manager of the airline in 1969, Managing Director in 1972, and in 1978 was appointed Chairman after leading a management buy-out. Since 1969, he has been the key driving force behind the steady growth of the airline, which now holds a significant share of the landing and take-off slots at London Heathrow airport with a route network spanning Europe, North America, Asia and Africa.

In 1986 he was awarded the CBE, and in 1991 he was knighted.

Between 1993 and 1997 Sir Michael was the chairman of Channel 4 Television Corporation.

Currently Sir Michael is Chairman of bmi, and remains a substantial investor with a controlling shareholding. He is also chairman of the Board of Trustees of the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company, which performs the operas of Gilbert and Sullivan.

In an annual survey by The Independent of the UK's most influential homosexuals, Sir Michael was ranked as number 5 in 2005 and number 6 in 2006. [ [http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/this_britain/article1153578.ece Gay Power: The pink list] ]

He was awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws from the University of Leicester on Thursday 12th July, 2007.

References

* British Independent Airlines since 1946, Merseyside Aviation Society, Liverpool, 1976, ISBN 0-902420-07-0