Michael Chan

Senior Generalist Leader across Education, Technology and Institutional Operations

I work across education, technology, operations and people development, bringing structure to complex environments and translating ideas into practical delivery. My strongest professional edge is education and STEM, but my broader work has centred on improving systems, developing people and helping organisations deliver well.

Strategic Delivery Education & STEM Operations Technology People Capability MSc (LSE)
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Michael Chan Coat of Arms

About

I am a senior generalist leader with experience across education, financial services, technology, programme management and institutional operations in the UK and Hong Kong.

My strongest professional edge is education: developing people, explaining complex ideas, building academic programmes and supporting learners through demanding pathways. I have taught Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science and technology-related subjects across schools and higher education, and have contributed to curriculum, quality assurance, admissions, student progression and programme development.

The wider pattern of my career is broader than education. I have worked in investment banking technology and market data, consulting-style advisory work, university operations, mission-led organisational leadership and non-profit governance. Across these settings, I have often operated where there is ambiguity, change or institutional complexity.

I am particularly interested in senior leadership roles involving strategic delivery, operational improvement, people capability, technology-enabled change and institutional development.

Core Strengths

Strategic Delivery Operational Improvement Education & STEM Programme Development People Capability Technology-Enabled Change Institutional Operations Stakeholder Coordination Leadership Development Governance & Compliance Multilingual: English / Cantonese / Putonghua

What I Bring

My work sits at the intersection of people, systems, learning and delivery. I am at my best where there is complexity to clarify, capability to build and practical progress to make.

Strategic Delivery

I bring structure to ambiguous or complex environments, helping organisations move from broad ideas to practical implementation.

Education & Capability

I develop people, programmes and learning systems, with particular strength in STEM, academic pathways and capability development.

Operations & Systems

I have led institutional operations across administration, finance, HR, facilities, IT, governance, compliance and stakeholder coordination.

Technology & Communication

I translate complex technical and organisational ideas into clear language for learners, colleagues, leaders and stakeholders.

Professional Journey

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2021 — Present

Teacher of Mathematics & Computer Science / Officer Commanding, RAF Section

Brentwood School, Essex

Teach Mathematics, Further Mathematics and Computer Science within a high-performing independent school environment, translating complex STEM concepts into clear, structured learning. Alongside teaching, lead the RAF Section of the Combined Cadet Force, developing student leadership, resilience, responsibility and teamwork through structured training and formal leadership programmes.

STEM Education Student Development Leadership
2018 — 2019

Director of Operations, Hong Kong Campus

University of Chicago

Led day-to-day operations for the Hong Kong campus across administration, finance, HR, property, facilities, IT, infrastructure and organisational support. Acted as a senior operational point of coordination during the transition from the interim Cyberport site to the permanent Mount Davis campus.

2015 — 2018

Head of Administration and Operations

St Andrew's Church Kowloon

Led administration and operations for a large mission-led organisation, managing a team of 20 and supporting a community of approximately 2,000. Served as principal administrative and operational support to the senior leader, effectively acting as chief of staff in day-to-day organisational delivery.

2001 — 2016

Higher Education Programme Leadership & University Teaching

University of Hong Kong / HKU SPACE and other institutions

Managed and developed academic programmes in computing, information systems and related fields, including new offerings that increased enrolment. Supported admissions, student progression, programme development, quality assurance, institutional coordination and teaching across undergraduate, postgraduate and post-secondary contexts.

2006 — 2015

Principal Consultant

Étoile Consultants, Hong Kong

Advised individuals, families, start-ups and organisations across asset management, education and related matters. Provided consulting-style support across problem diagnosis, service development, stakeholder engagement and practical implementation.

1997 — 2000

Financial Services, Technology & Market Data

Dresdner Bank / Kleinwort Benson and HM Information Service

Built early commercial and technology experience in financial services, including market data systems, Y2K operational readiness and on-site technology support for investment banking environments. Supported one investment bank during the establishment of its Hong Kong office, acting in the capacity of IT Manager and helping set up local technology and operational infrastructure.

Projects & Capability-Building

Mr Chan's Treasure Box

A growing collection of digital learning tools and practical classroom resources designed to support students and fellow teachers in Mathematics, Computer Science and related areas. The project reflects my wider interest in building useful, accessible tools that help people learn and work more effectively.

Visit the project

Teaching, Technology and Resource Design

Alongside formal teaching and leadership roles, I maintain a strong interest in educational technology, AI-enabled tools and practical resource design. My focus is on digital tools that support explanation, practice, organisation, independent learning and capability-building.

Current Focus

I am exploring senior leadership opportunities where my cross-sector background can contribute to organisations with ambitious missions and practical delivery cultures.

Strategic Delivery Operational Improvement Education & Capability-Building Technology-Enabled Change Institutional Development People Leadership Customer, Learner or Stakeholder Experience

Service & Civic Impact

Sir Edward Youde Scholars

Served in senior voluntary leadership roles including Chairman, Board of Governors, supporting governance, continuity, public profile and strategic development within one of Hong Kong's distinguished scholarship communities.

Cadet & Youth Leadership

Longstanding involvement in cadet service and youth development, with leadership responsibilities spanning command, training, discipline, public affairs, organisational support and the development of young leaders.

Community Service

Active in voluntary and community-facing roles, including service through church leadership, educational associations, St John Ambulance and wider civic support initiatives.

Academic Credentials

MSc Analysis, Design & Management of Information Systems in the Faculty of Economics

LSE

Thesis: An Empirical Research in Teleworking for IT Professionals

BSc Applied Computing with First Class Honours

UHERTS

Qualified Teacher Status, England

QTS

PRINCE2 Practitioner

AXELOS

Honours & Medals

Hong Kong Cadet Forces Medal

Long service and contribution to cadet training and youth development.

Commandant's and Commanding Officer's Commendations

Issued by the Hong Kong Air Cadet Corps for exemplary service.

Mathematics Olympiad Champion

Champion, Hong Kong Mathematics Olympiad.

Languages

English, Cantonese and Putonghua.