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Michael Bear's career has been anything but traditional.  The son of a South African Geologist working for the British Colonial Service probably set the scene.  Michael was born in Kenya, went to primary school in Cyprus, boarding school in Bristol and University in South Africa.  This sparked his interest in the multi-cultural arena.

After qualifying as a Civil Engineer in South Africa Michael's career started with Airport design and construction initially throughout Southern Africa and then in Northern Ireland with Sir Frederick Snow and Partners.

He took a year out in 1980/81 to study for an MBA at Cranfield University and then joined Balfour Beatty where he developed business opportunities in China, Nigeria, The Cameroon and in the renewable energy sector.  This was followed by a move into property development in Europe where he ran the property development business in joint venture with London and Edinburgh Trust (LET).

When, in 1991, LET was taken over by the Swedish investor, SPP, Michael moved back to Balfour Beatty as Managing Director of property responsible for a large development portfolio including the Spitalfields development which he ran as Chief Executive.  The Spitalfields development whetted his appetite for community involvement and regeneration and in 1993 he was appointed chairman of the City Challenge public/private sector partnership for Tower Hamlets, a £35 million regeneration programme focused on improving the rundown inner City area adjacent to the city.  His role then extended to Board positions on the successor partnerships, City Side Regeneration Partnership, the City Fringe Partnership and charity work in Bangladesh.  This and his regeneration work brought him in contact with many Bangladeshi residents living in the Ward of Portsoken in the Corporation of London.

Concurrent with this pro-bono work, were the construction phases of the Spitalfields development (now owned by Hammerson), which included the new ABN Amro global Headquarters at 250 Bishopsgate, the Royal Bank of Scotland Head Office at 280 Bishopsgate, the new Allen and Overy Bishops Square Head Office (recently opened by the Lord Mayor) and the revitalising of the retained Spitalfields Market buildings and creating the public space.

Michael was invited to join the Livery by John Mills in 2002 and became a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Paviors.

In 2003 Michael stood for election and was elected a Common Councilman for the predominantly residential Ward of Portsoken, where he put his regeneration skills to work in tackling the inner city problems which beset local residents.  The following year he was appointed Deputy to the Alderman of  Portsoken, Lord Levene, and in the Aldermanic elections in July this year he was elected as Alderman to replace Lord Levene  (who moved to Aldgate) - that's politics!

As Alderman, Michael sits as a magistrate on the City Bench and by rota unlocks the Courts of Justice at the Old Bailey and acts as host to the Judges for lunch. 
His other Aldermanic responsibilities entail supporting the Lord Mayor in his duties as the head of the Corporation of London.

When he is not working on Balfour Beatty, Hammerson plc, Spitalfields projects or on civic duty, Michael enjoys spending time with his wife Barbara and his teenage children Amy and Marc.

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