Michael Powell has worked in the computer industry since leaving Oxford University in 1970. After some years working his way through programming and systems analysis jobs, he became a contractor in 1975, before returning to full-time employment inthe software industry. He moved into sales and reached the position of European Marketing Manager with Pansophic SYstems. For some years, he ran his own software products business, modifying and writing business accounting systems. He returned to contracting in 1984 and has been working as a freelance consultant since then.

He combines contracting with freelance writing in the computer and daily press. However, his real love is opera singing and contracting provides him with the right environment to enjoy this. He is a semi-professional tenor who took a tenor lead in Britten's Rape of Lucretia at the 1987 Aldeburgh Festival.

Michael Powell is married with two children.

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