Mikey Kay

Based in Brooklyn, New York, Michael is a British TV host, Foreign Affairs correspondent, a regular analyst on MSNBC, NBC, and Huffington Post, and an emerging director and producer of documentaries spanning hardline current affairs, travel, and fashion.

Cutting his teeth after leaving the British Armed Forces, Michael spent the fall of 2013 on assignment in Beirut, hosting, directing and producing a series of Telly Award winning documentaries for provocative online news platform, Vocativ. During his time in Lebanon, he travelled to Tripoli, Arsal, Mleeta and the mountainous region of Qalamoun, meeting with Free Syrian Army militia, mujahideen fighters, radical sheikhs and members of Hezbollah - the reports aired on MSNBC’s Morning Joe. In 2014, Michael travelled to Kyrgyzstan to report on radical Islam, anti-gay propaganda legislation and police corruption associated with drugs trafficking. That same year he filmed three pilot shows for the Travel Channel and Red Bull, and hosted a new show called Saving Heroes on Discovery’s AHC, uncovering the plights of America’s most inspirational men and women from courageous Veterans and First Responders. This year, Michael has been traveling to the four corners of the planet to film a new show for the Travel Channel airing in 2016 - that highlights the resilience of mankind and the human spirit in regions that have suffered from manmade or natural disaster or extreme climes.

Prior to his television debut, Michael spent 20 years as an assault helicopter pilot in Her Majesty's Royal Air Force, serving operational flying tours in Kosovo, Macedonia, Bosnia and Iraq, as well as senior engagement and diplomacy tours in Afghanistan, Sumatra (post tsunami), India and Africa. He quickly rose to Senior Officer status and spent his final years before retirement as an advisor within the UK's Ministry of Defense.

Michael marries his unique expertise and extensive experience with a natural ease in front of the camera to deliver strong, meaningful messages - occasionally peppered with his dry British humor. He pursues stories through a personal approach that embraces compassion and sensitivity, underpinned by a gravitas and drive developed through years of leading high performance teams in conflict and disaster regions around the globe.

Born in Germany to English parents, Michael was educated in Scotland and grew up in North Wales, where he spent his childhood helping to raise his severely autistic brother, Spencer. At the age of 14, he was awarded a leadership scholarship to study at the Royal School of Gordonstoun, whose alumni include The Duke of Edinburgh and The Prince of Wales. At the age of 18, Michael started his professional career in the Royal Air Force Officer Academy, embarking on a five-year training program that prepared him to fly complex and dangerous multi aircraft missions in Iraq, Afghanistan, Northern Ireland and the Balkans from 1998 to 2006.

In 2008, Michael was appointed into an elite, international group of military officers selected to undertake an intensive, year long program with Kings College London where he earned a Masters degree in International Relations, Foreign Policy and Defense. This knowledge and experience earned him a place within the UK’s Ministry of Defense in London, where Michael worked as a trusted Advisor until his retirement in 2012.

In addition to the rewards of serving Queen and country for two decades, Michael attributes one of his greatest achievements to the two years he spent successfully spearheading efforts to improve his brother’s quality of life through care in the community initiatives in the North Wales region. Stemming from a passion for photography and videography, Michael built his own production company, RIGSO, after moving to New York in 2012. Specializing in branded content for luxury companies, RIGSO’s roster of clients include VOGUE, Hourglass Cosmetics, Bal Harbour Magazine and CONDE NAST Entertainment. Michael is also a Brand Ambassador for Suit Supply.

When not on either end of the camera, Michael fuels his adrenaline-junkie spirit through triathlon training, motorbike racing, snowboarding and open water scuba diving, all whilst flexing his philanthropic muscle as an Advisory Board Member of the Humane Society of New York.