About us

After securing a Masters degree in International law from Durham University, and qualification as a Barrister in London, England, Michael secured pupillage in the chambers of a former Attorney General and Lord Chancellor of England and Wales. Further pupillage was undertaken in the chambers of a QC (as was at the time, before KC) who is regarded as one of the most renowned taxation experts in the UK.

Michael then moved into the City of London to work as an in-house Legal Adviser in various Investment Banking institutions. Roles included Deputy Head of the legal department of Banque Indosuez, Legal Adviser at Lehmann Brothers, and Legal Adviser at one of the most prestigious Merchant Banks in the City of London. Michael provided legal advice to the Capital Markets, Real Estate, Investment Management, Corporate Finance and Debt Trading departments of the various banks he worked at.

Michael brings to MI & Associates all his legal and financial knowledge gained by working for these financial institutions.

Michael speaks fluent English, French and a little German.

Mrs Igwe is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and Manufacturers and a Fellow of the College of Preceptors. As a former Head Teacher Mrs Igwe is a highly acclaimed authority on education and educational matters. Mrs Igwe sat on various international institutions, including UNESCO and various other educational panels, whose remit was the enhancement and development of education, especially in Africa. Mrs Igwe has travelled extensively across Africa instituting grass roots educational measures and secured the support of various African governments in the countries that she travelled to.

Mrs Igwe founded a company in London which dealt in high quality ceramics for both discerning private buyers and upscale retailers. As a renowned public speaker Mrs Igwe provides inspirational and motivational thinking to Board directors, international organisations and Churches. As well as being a highly effective and very skilled thought transformation expert, Mrs Igwe brings exceptional energy and dynamism to the process of assisting corporate and non corporate decision makers to think and act with clarity and consistency, thereby ensuring the development and expression of proper communication skills and structured, coordinated and thoughtful interaction and engagement between people at all levels of society.

Mrs Igwe has been a local preacher for several decades and has preached at many churches across the UK and in Africa. She is an adviser to younger ministers who regularly seek her guidance and support as they seek to be more effective in their lives as ministers in service to God, their congregation and the wider community.

Based in Paris, Chris is a special advisor to global brands, owners, and investors. He runs his own consultancy, Chris Igwe International. He is also President of More Or Less, exclusively representing brands; Managing Director, Karine Augis, French luxury leather handbag brand; Co-Founder, Squarefeet, innovative revolutionary leasing software; SVP, REIT Innovations.

Chris is past Co-Chair of ULI (Urban Land Institute) Europe’s Retail and Entertainment Council, and former Global Governing Trustee. ULI is the leading global trade association for Real Estate.

After a successful career as a Civil Engineer, working on iconic award-winning projects such as Stansted Airport in the UK and the MI6 UK government security building in Vauxhall, London. Chris joined Foot Locker Europe and later Gap, as Director of European Real Estate. He became Managing Director Europe of ICSC (International Council of Shopping Centers), the leading trade association for the shopping centre industry, and Senior Director EMEA/Head of Retail, France at CBRE.

Chris’s retail clients include 7 For All Mankind, Aesop, Build A Bear Workshop, Costco, Disney, Fossil, Hard Rock Café, Michael Kors, Nike, Sunglass Hut, Swarovski, TUMI.

International landlord clients include Deutsche Bank, Euro Disney, Inter IKEA, Lodha Group (India), Schiphol Airport (Amsterdam), Sonae Sierra, Value Retail, Unibail Rodamco.

A renowned international keynote speaker, and Master of Ceremonies (2011 – 2025) at MAPIC, Cannes, Chris has lectured in Europe, Cairo, and Abu Dhabi Paris Sorbonne University. He is a Chartered Civil Engineer.

Chris was recipient of “2014 the ICSC Award for Outstanding Service”. For 4 year consecutive years, he is a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert, and for 2 consecutive years, a Retail Voice 2026, delivered to only 50 people worldwide by powerful American organisation NRF (National Retail Federation).

Chris is a published author of books including, “Breaking Down Barriers”, “Secrets of Working Across Five Continents” , “That IMPACT Book” and “Wings of Purpose”. The latter 2 books are bestsellers. Chris is fluent in English, French and German. He can also speak basic Spanish and Italian.

Toby Birch, is the Managing Director of a boutique wealth management firm for institutions and family offices. He is a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment and also holds the Islamic Finance Qualification. Toby has 20 years investment management experience and was previously a senior investment manager at Bank Julius Baer. Toby is best known for his forecast of the credit crisis by publishing a book in 2007 called The Final Crash: Addictive Debt and Deformation of the World Economy. As a consequence of this publication, he has appeared several times on CNBC, BBC TV and Radio, as well as Press TV, and is a regular speaker on the conference circuit, particularly in the Middle East. Toby has been a Keynote Speaker at World Islamic Finance Fund conference in Bahrain and The Campden Alternative Investment Conference in Monaco. In October 2009, he was invited on a two week lecture tour of Canada,speaking in eight different Cities. Toby is lead manager of the new Gaia Opportunities fund, a multi-asset, long-only fund with no leverage. A quarter of the performance fee will be donated to sustainable projects and Foundations aligned to the Firm’s philosophy. In 2009, Toby established a company called Birch Assets Limited, a precious metal dealing and storage company.

Onye is an Associate of MI & ASSOCIATES, as well as Founder and Managing Director of YI Partners Private Limited, a market entry and business development company bridging Asia and Africa for SME’s. Mr. Igwe graduated from the University of Nottingham, England in Economics and then qualified as a chartered accountant with Touche Ross and Co (Now part of Deloitte) in Manchester, UK.

Onye then joined Cargill Inc., the US commodity trading and food processing giant, in their London office covering EMEA, including operational and financial audit roles across Europe and financial management roles in Nigeria, Malawi and Kenya. Mr. Igwe moved to Singapore in 1992, where his functions included product controller for Petroleum Trading Division and Rubber Trading as well as leading IT projects in two countries. Between 1998-2000, Mr. Igwe set up and managed the Credit Risk Department of Cargill Asia Pacific during the Asian Crisis developing Credit from a defensive strategy to a platform for new business opportunities and trade finance structures.

Onye was also responsible for setting up and managing a distressed private equity fund with focus on Europe and but with some emerging market exposure. During this time, Onye was a regulated investment manager under the Financial Services Authority, the FSA, (now called the Financial Conduct Authority).

Onye is still FCA registered.

Derrick provides specialist consultancy to high-net-worth individuals, company directors, and firms looking to establish or expand their business interests across the Caribbean, Europe, and the USA. His work spans both commercial strategy and risk, including private consultation for companies undertaking projects in high-risk regions, where he advises on security strategy to protect people, assets, and investments.

Derrick’s track record includes advising high-net-worth clients on investments exceeding US$500 million across hotel, airline, and government projects in Europe, the USA, and the Caribbean. He was engaged by the Government of Suriname, working through a senior advisor, to evaluate major national projects spanning gold and oil mining, infrastructure, and real estate — providing due diligence, investor assessment, and strategic recommendations. Earlier in his career, Derrick served as Senior Business Consultant with Business Link for London on the Access to Finance programme, delivering hands-on business support to SMEs across 15 London boroughs.

Military Veteran, 02/1983 – 02/1989

• Military Intelligence Unit with the Jamaican Defence Force (JDF). I was responsible for a team and other sources to gather information, plan, and execute operations involving groups that posed a threat to the island of Jamaica.
• Queen’s Medal for being in the top ten best shooters in the JDF.
• Marksman Title / Medal for the rifle, pistol, sub-machine gun, and grenade launcher.
• Completed training with the US Military, 1st & 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne).
• Completed training with the UK Military.

EDUCATION – UNIVERSITY OF LONDON

• Doctorate Degree: Business Administration
• Master’s: Business Administration
• Master’s: International Business Development
• Bachelor of Science: Business Administration (Hons)
• Bachelor of Arts: Information Technology (Hons)

Independent consultant to MI & Associates, Abigail Carter, is an accomplished communications professional with over a decade of experience in leading dynamic teams within fast-paced public relations agencies. She excels in crafting strategic communications plans and executing marketing campaigns that enhance brand engagement and visibility.

Abigail has forged robust relationships with media contacts and influencers in the health and wellness sector, securing extensive coverage and brand presence for her clients. Having worked with some of the industry’s most respected experts and thought leaders, she is knowledgeable about health regulations, language and medical claims, and how these should be translated to brand-owned content and within the media.