Professor Michael Tovey is Professor of Industrial Design at Coventry University, joining the university after a period of practice in industry. At the university, Michael has been responsible for the establishment and development of transport design, which has now achieved international prominence and centre of excellence status.

Michael was Dean of the Coventry School of Art and Design for 18 years. During this time it doubled in size, incorporated Performing Arts, achieved strong research rankings, as well as a very positive identity and profile.

From 2007 to 2010 he was Director for Design and responsible for leading on and co-ordinating design education and design research across the university. In addition to his cross-university role he was Director of the Centre of Excellence in Product and Automotive Design (CEPAD). It has strong links with the Industrial Design Department, as well as connecting in with other parts of both the Coventry School of Art and Design, and the rest of the university.

"I see design as having wide-ranging and multi-disciplinary applications, and as a key ingredient in our future.  It is what links creativity and innovation."

Michael was previously Chair of the Cre8us Board from May 2010 - December 2011 and continues to actively support the future of Cre8us' work since 2008 through his role as one of the four directors of Cre8us Ltd.