Trained as an economist, Matthew began his career in corporate finance, working for JP Morgan on both sides of the Atlantic. A deepening interest in strategy led him to join Bowater, at the time a FTSE 100 conglomerate, working with the CEO to shape corporate strategy. After a spell leading one of Bowater’s subsidiaries, Matthew joined Medair, an international humanitarian relief agency, working first in Somalia and subsequently as Country Director in Afghanistan. In 1998 he took time to gain an MBA at IMD in Switzerland, before joining McKinsey & Company in London as a management consultant. Here he developed a deep interest and expertise in organizational design and effectiveness.

After 6 years working for a wide range of clients in the commercial and non-profit sectors, Matthew left to set up and lead a new strategy unit within the Department of Education & Skills. In 2005, he was appointed as CEO of Tearfund, the international development charity, leading an organization of over 1,500 staff around the world. After 10 years, Matthew stepped down to pursue a wider range of interests - serving on the Boards of a number of national charities, chairing a Task Group for the Archbishop of Canterbury, coaching CEOs, advising a wide range of clients on strategy and organizational design, and establishing Pilgrim Way.