diff --git a/cypress/components/message/message.cy.tsx b/cypress/components/message/message.cy.tsx
index 4fbb163104..5b6e9e5223 100644
--- a/cypress/components/message/message.cy.tsx
+++ b/cypress/components/message/message.cy.tsx
@@ -1,7 +1,8 @@
+/* eslint-disable jest/no-disabled-tests */
 /* eslint-disable jest/valid-expect, no-unused-expressions */
 import React from "react";
 import Message, { MessageProps } from "../../../src/components/message";
-import { MessageComponent } from "../../../src/components/message/message-test.stories";
+import { MessageComponent, MessageComponentWithRef } from "../../../src/components/message/message-test.stories";
 import CypressMountWithProviders from "../../support/component-helper/cypress-mount";
 import { getDataElementByValue } from "../../locators";
 import {
@@ -9,9 +10,11 @@ import {
   messageChildren,
   messageTitle,
   messageDismissIcon,
+  messageDismissIconButton,
   messageContent,
   variantPreview,
 } from "../../locators/message/index";
+import { buttonDataComponent } from "../../locators/button";
 import {
   VALIDATION,
   CHARACTERS,
@@ -71,6 +74,25 @@ context("Tests for Message component", () => {
       }
     );
 
+    it("should focus component when open is true and component has a ref", () => {
+      CypressMountWithProviders(<MessageComponentWithRef />);
+
+      buttonDataComponent().click();
+      messagePreview().should("be.focused");
+    });
+
+    // Unable to run this test due to the Message component having a tabIndex of -1.
+    // cypress-plugin-tab does not allow tabbing on elements with an tabIndex of -1,
+    // however this test has been kept incase the bug is ever addressed. https://github.com/kuceb/cypress-plugin-tab/issues/18
+    it.skip("should focus icon button when open is true for Message component and tab key is pressed", () => {
+      CypressMountWithProviders(<MessageComponentWithRef />);
+
+      buttonDataComponent().click();
+      messagePreview().should("be.focused");
+      messagePreview().tab();
+      messageDismissIconButton().should("be.focused");
+    });
+
     it.each(testData)(
       "should check %s title for Message component",
       (title) => {
diff --git a/cypress/locators/message/index.js b/cypress/locators/message/index.js
index ae5780b440..e70e14f7cd 100644
--- a/cypress/locators/message/index.js
+++ b/cypress/locators/message/index.js
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ import {
   MESSAGE_CHILDREN,
   MESSAGE_TITLE,
   MESSAGE_DISMISS_ICON,
+  MESSAGE_DISMISS_ICON_BUTTON,
   MESSAGE_CONTENT,
   VARIANT_PREVIEW,
 } from "./locators";
@@ -12,5 +13,7 @@ export const messagePreview = () => cy.get(MESSAGE_PREVIEW);
 export const messageChildren = () => cy.get(MESSAGE_CHILDREN);
 export const messageTitle = () => cy.get(MESSAGE_TITLE);
 export const messageDismissIcon = () => cy.get(MESSAGE_DISMISS_ICON);
+export const messageDismissIconButton = () =>
+  cy.get(MESSAGE_DISMISS_ICON_BUTTON);
 export const messageContent = () => cy.get(MESSAGE_CONTENT);
 export const variantPreview = () => cy.get(VARIANT_PREVIEW);
diff --git a/cypress/locators/message/locators.js b/cypress/locators/message/locators.js
index 35d27e77ca..af4153e512 100644
--- a/cypress/locators/message/locators.js
+++ b/cypress/locators/message/locators.js
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ export const MESSAGE_PREVIEW = 'div[data-component="Message"]';
 export const MESSAGE_CHILDREN = 'div[data-element="content-body"]';
 export const MESSAGE_TITLE = '[data-element="content-title"]';
 export const MESSAGE_DISMISS_ICON = 'span[data-element="close"]';
+export const MESSAGE_DISMISS_ICON_BUTTON = 'button[data-element="close"]';
 export const MESSAGE_CONTENT = '[data-element="message-content"]';
 export const VARIANT_PREVIEW =
   'div[data-component="Message"] > div:nth-child(1)';
diff --git a/src/components/message/message-test.stories.tsx b/src/components/message/message-test.stories.tsx
index 06711fe010..644d28416d 100644
--- a/src/components/message/message-test.stories.tsx
+++ b/src/components/message/message-test.stories.tsx
@@ -1,10 +1,11 @@
-import React, { useState } from "react";
+import React, { useState, useRef, useEffect } from "react";
 import { action } from "@storybook/addon-actions";
 import Button from "../button";
 import Message, { MessageProps } from "./message.component";
 
 export default {
   title: "Message/Test",
+  includeStories: ["Default"],
   parameters: {
     info: { disable: true },
     chromatic: {
@@ -66,3 +67,26 @@ export const MessageComponent = (props: MessageProps) => {
     </div>
   );
 };
+
+export const MessageComponentWithRef = (props: MessageProps) => {
+  const [isOpen, setIsOpen] = useState(false);
+  const messageRef: React.Ref<HTMLDivElement> = useRef(null);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (isOpen) messageRef.current?.focus();
+  });
+
+  return (
+    <div>
+      {!isOpen && <Button onClick={() => setIsOpen(true)}>Open Message</Button>}
+      <Message
+        open={isOpen}
+        onDismiss={() => setIsOpen(false)}
+        ref={messageRef}
+        {...props}
+      >
+        Some custom message
+      </Message>
+    </div>
+  );
+};
diff --git a/src/components/message/message.component.tsx b/src/components/message/message.component.tsx
index 7a6cae73fb..064032b4ad 100644
--- a/src/components/message/message.component.tsx
+++ b/src/components/message/message.component.tsx
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import React from "react";
+import React, { useRef } from "react";
 import { MarginProps } from "styled-system";
 
 import MessageStyle from "./message.style";
@@ -39,52 +39,65 @@ export interface MessageProps extends MarginProps {
   variant?: MessageVariant;
 }
 
-export const Message = ({
-  open = true,
-  transparent = false,
-  title,
-  variant = "info",
-  children,
-  onDismiss,
-  id,
-  className,
-  closeButtonAriaLabel,
-  showCloseIcon = true,
-  ...props
-}: MessageProps) => {
-  const marginProps = filterStyledSystemMarginProps(props);
-  const l = useLocale();
-  const renderCloseIcon = () => {
-    if (!showCloseIcon || !onDismiss) return null;
+export const Message = React.forwardRef<HTMLDivElement, MessageProps>(
+  (
+    {
+      open = true,
+      transparent = false,
+      title,
+      variant = "info",
+      children,
+      onDismiss,
+      id,
+      className,
+      closeButtonAriaLabel,
+      showCloseIcon = true,
+      ...props
+    }: MessageProps,
+    ref
+  ) => {
+    const messageRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement | null>(null);
+    const refToPass = ref || messageRef;
 
-    return (
-      <IconButton
-        data-element="close"
-        aria-label={closeButtonAriaLabel || l.message.closeButtonAriaLabel()}
-        onClick={onDismiss}
+    const marginProps = filterStyledSystemMarginProps(props);
+    const l = useLocale();
+
+    const renderCloseIcon = () => {
+      if (!showCloseIcon || !onDismiss) return null;
+
+      return (
+        <IconButton
+          data-element="close"
+          aria-label={closeButtonAriaLabel || l.message.closeButtonAriaLabel()}
+          onClick={onDismiss}
+        >
+          <Icon type="close" />
+        </IconButton>
+      );
+    };
+
+    return open ? (
+      <MessageStyle
+        {...tagComponent("Message", props)}
+        className={className}
+        transparent={transparent}
+        variant={variant}
+        role="status"
+        id={id}
+        ref={refToPass}
+        {...marginProps}
+        tabIndex={-1}
       >
-        <Icon type="close" />
-      </IconButton>
-    );
-  };
+        <TypeIcon variant={variant} transparent={transparent} />
+        <MessageContent showCloseIcon={showCloseIcon} title={title}>
+          {children}
+        </MessageContent>
+        {renderCloseIcon()}
+      </MessageStyle>
+    ) : null;
+  }
+);
 
-  return open ? (
-    <MessageStyle
-      {...tagComponent("Message", props)}
-      className={className}
-      transparent={transparent}
-      variant={variant}
-      role="status"
-      id={id}
-      {...marginProps}
-    >
-      <TypeIcon variant={variant} transparent={transparent} />
-      <MessageContent showCloseIcon={showCloseIcon} title={title}>
-        {children}
-      </MessageContent>
-      {renderCloseIcon()}
-    </MessageStyle>
-  ) : null;
-};
+Message.displayName = "Message";
 
 export default Message;
diff --git a/src/components/message/message.spec.tsx b/src/components/message/message.spec.tsx
index f5017e80c3..852fbef85e 100644
--- a/src/components/message/message.spec.tsx
+++ b/src/components/message/message.spec.tsx
@@ -201,4 +201,36 @@ describe("Message", () => {
   describe("styled-system", () => {
     testStyledSystemMargin((props) => <Message {...props} />);
   });
+
+  describe("ref", () => {
+    it("passes ref to component", () => {
+      const ref = { current: null };
+
+      const wrapper = mount(
+        <Message onDismiss={() => {}} ref={ref}>
+          foobar
+        </Message>
+      );
+
+      const message = wrapper.find(MessageStyle);
+
+      expect(ref.current).toBe(message.getDOMNode());
+    });
+
+    describe("callback ref", () => {
+      it("allows a callback ref is be passed to component", () => {
+        const testCallbackRef = jest.fn();
+
+        const wrapper = mount(
+          <Message onDismiss={() => {}} ref={testCallbackRef}>
+            foobar
+          </Message>
+        );
+
+        const message = wrapper.find(MessageStyle);
+
+        expect(testCallbackRef).toHaveBeenCalledWith(message.getDOMNode());
+      });
+    });
+  });
 });
diff --git a/src/components/message/message.stories.mdx b/src/components/message/message.stories.mdx
index be382e8492..b082cf9726 100644
--- a/src/components/message/message.stories.mdx
+++ b/src/components/message/message.stories.mdx
@@ -100,6 +100,14 @@ To see a full list of available margin props, please visit the props table at th
   <Story name="with margin" story={stories.WithMargin} />
 </Canvas>
 
+### With focus
+
+Since it is possible to pass a ref to this component, it is also possible to programmatically focus the component. 
+
+<Canvas>
+  <Story name="with focus" story={stories.WithFocus} />
+</Canvas>
+
 ## Props
 
 ### Message
diff --git a/src/components/message/message.stories.tsx b/src/components/message/message.stories.tsx
index d5e4dcfda9..50896ce109 100644
--- a/src/components/message/message.stories.tsx
+++ b/src/components/message/message.stories.tsx
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /* eslint-disable jsx-a11y/anchor-is-valid */
-import React, { useState } from "react";
+import React, { useEffect, useRef, useState } from "react";
 import { ComponentStory } from "@storybook/react";
 
 import Message from ".";
@@ -107,33 +107,82 @@ export const WithRichContent: ComponentStory<typeof Message> = () => {
 };
 
 export const WithMargin: ComponentStory<typeof Message> = () => {
-  const [isOpen, setIsOpen] = useState(true);
+  const [isOpen, setIsOpen] = useState({
+    MessageOne: true,
+    MessageTwo: true,
+    MessageThree: true,
+  });
+
+  const displayButton = Object.values({ ...isOpen }).every(
+    (value) => value === false
+  );
   return (
     <>
-      {!isOpen && <Button onClick={() => setIsOpen(true)}>Open Message</Button>}
+      {displayButton && (
+        <Button
+          onClick={() =>
+            setIsOpen({
+              MessageOne: true,
+              MessageTwo: true,
+              MessageThree: true,
+            })
+          }
+        >
+          Open Message
+        </Button>
+      )}
       <Message
-        open={isOpen}
-        onDismiss={() => setIsOpen(false)}
+        open={isOpen.MessageOne}
+        onDismiss={() => setIsOpen({ ...isOpen, MessageOne: false })}
         variant="warning"
         m={1}
       >
-        Some custom message
+        This is message one.
       </Message>
       <Message
-        open={isOpen}
-        onDismiss={() => setIsOpen(false)}
+        open={isOpen.MessageTwo}
+        onDismiss={() => setIsOpen({ ...isOpen, MessageTwo: false })}
         variant="warning"
         m={3}
       >
-        Some custom message
+        This is message two.
       </Message>
       <Message
-        open={isOpen}
-        onDismiss={() => setIsOpen(false)}
+        open={isOpen.MessageThree}
+        onDismiss={() => setIsOpen({ ...isOpen, MessageThree: false })}
         variant="warning"
         m="16px"
       >
-        Some custom message
+        This is message three.
+      </Message>
+    </>
+  );
+};
+
+export const WithFocus: ComponentStory<typeof Message> = () => {
+  const [isMessageOpen, setIsMessageOpen] = useState(true);
+
+  const messageRef: React.Ref<HTMLDivElement> = useRef(null);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (isMessageOpen) {
+      messageRef.current?.focus();
+    }
+  }, [isMessageOpen]);
+
+  return (
+    <>
+      {!isMessageOpen && (
+        <Button onClick={() => setIsMessageOpen(true)}>Open Message</Button>
+      )}
+      <Message
+        open={isMessageOpen}
+        onDismiss={() => setIsMessageOpen(false)}
+        variant="error"
+        mb={1}
+        ref={messageRef}
+      >
+        This is message one.
       </Message>
     </>
   );
diff --git a/src/components/message/message.style.ts b/src/components/message/message.style.ts
index 4d04349c9d..8f289a5ce6 100644
--- a/src/components/message/message.style.ts
+++ b/src/components/message/message.style.ts
@@ -28,6 +28,10 @@ const MessageStyle = styled.div<MessageStyleProps & MarginProps>`
   background-color: var(--colorsUtilityYang100);
   min-height: 38px;
 
+  :focus {
+    outline: none;
+  }
+
   ${({ transparent }) =>
     transparent &&
     css`