Michael Bates has over 30 years commercial and retail leadership experience across small and large businesses.
Michael Bates is a highly experienced commercial and retail leader with more than 30 years’ experience across both large national organisations and entrepreneurial, privately owned businesses.
As Chief Brand and People Officer at AO.com, he led brand, communications and marketing strategy while also overseeing the company’s people function. Prior to this, he was Group Marketing Director at Co-operative Group, where he delivered a major rebrand and repositioning of the Group.
Michael has also served as Managing Director of two privately owned, Yorkshire-based businesses: online fashion retailer Joe Browns and luxury bed manufacturer Harrison Spinks. Earlier in his career, he spent 17 years at Morrisons in senior commercial buying and marketing roles, including seven years as Marketing Director.
Today, Michael owns and runs The Blue Barn, a leading independent pet supplies and animal feeds business. He also holds a number of non-executive director roles within online retail businesses.
Born in Bradford, Michael lives in the Wharfe Valley on a farm with his family.