Along with fellow DJ Paul Gambaccini, Jonathan Rice and Sir Tim Rice, he co-founded the hugely successful Guinness Book of British Hit Singles.

In 2013, Read along with three friends formed the British Plaque Trust, a charity established to commemorate deceased achievers in show business, sport and the general arts by unveiling blue plaques, alongside the work of English Heritage, on the buildings with which they were associated. Mike’s many charitable commitments include the Prince’s Trust, the Red Cross, the Variety Club of Great Britain, Nordoff and Robbins Children’s Hospices, Teenage Cancer Trust and Cliff Richard’s Tennis Foundation.

As an Honoured Friend of The Buddy Holly Educational Foundation, Mike has given a huge amount of time, experience and knowledge to those budding artists attending the annual Chris Difford’s Songwriting Retreat, held at Pennard House near Glastonbury, England.