Michelle is Finance Director for Corporate Development & Strategy at BAE Systems, a global company that provides some of the world's most advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions. She has created a central team at BAE Systems focused on inorganic growth strategy, execution and integration.  Michelle is a member of BAE Systems’ Strategy Council, Finance Council and Chief Technology and Information Office.  She is also a member of the GCV Global Defence Council for defence venture investing and the UK Defence Investor Network.  She is also a Trustee of BAE Systems' Executive Pension Scheme. Prior to joining BAE Systems, Michelle led Corporate Development for Parker Hannifin's Europe, Middle East and African operations.  Parker Hannifin is a Fortune 250 Global Leader in Motion and Control Technologies with a market capitalisation of $90bn. Michelle supported Parker in executing is inorganic growth strategy and portfolio optimisation as well as led the project management for the European integration of key transformational acquisitions including Clarcor ($4.3bn industrial filtration business) and LORD ($3.7bn materials technology business). Michelle started her career in Financial Services Banking and Capital Markets Audit at Ernst and Young and qualified as a Certified Public Accountant in the United States.  She then spent twelve years at British investment bank Close Brothers Corporate Finance (now known as DC Advisory) where she was a Director on the Industrial team, providing corporate finance advice to private, public and private equity backed companies.