Michelle Thomson’s high-stakes career has taken her from the discipline of the concert stage and the complexity of global financial boardrooms to the frontline of national politics and the scrutiny of parliamentary select committees.
She served as a Member of Parliament at Westminster and as a Member of the Scottish Parliament, stepping down from frontline politics in 2026.
Michelle trained as a professional pianist, before spending 23 years in financial services at Standard Life and Royal Bank of Scotland, leading significant business transformation programmes, proving her ability to deliver results in some of the most rigorous corporate environments in the UK.
She entered politics after that, and during her time as an MP during the notable inquiry into the collapse of BHS, her questioning of Sir Philip Green drew national attention.
As an MSP she was named “Backbencher of the Year” and “Political Hero of the Year” for her courageous and ground-breaking work as a member of the Scottish Parliament, including her advocacy on women in enterprise and economic policy.
Michelle speaks openly about being raped at the age of 14, and about the long process of reclaiming her reputation after a period of intense public and media scrutiny. Audiences hear from someone who has been tested in public, under pressure, and has kept going.
She now works as a speaker and strategic advisor to corporate and public sector leaders. Her talks are tailored to the audience and draw on the full span of her career. Topics include:
- Resilience as a competitive advantage: navigating crises and what it takes to come through them
- Fearless communication: finding your voice and holding it under pressure
- The power of the pivot: adaptability as a leadership discipline
- Diversity and economic growth: women in enterprise and closing the gap
- Integrity-driven leadership: building ethical corporate cultures
