Matt is a specialist in research strategy and the design and development of research support functions. He brings experience from a variety of roles in different mission-driven public knowledge institutions.

He has lead high-performing multi-disciplinary teams in research organisations and in both the public and private sectors. Before joining the HE sector he began his career in local government and worked as a finance and operations commercial manager with Marks and Spencer.

His first sector role was as lead for the Facilities and Capital Planning Resources Team at Northumbria University, moving to Sunderland University as Head of Resources and Planning and latterly Newcastle University.

His current role is Faculty Research Strategy Manager for Science, Agriculture and Engineering (SAgE) where he has broad oversight of strategic planning, delivery and risk management/mitigation.

Matt has supported several complex transformation programmes related to the implementation of research strategy and to realise enhanced customer experience in academic support functions. He provided strategic analyses and organisational design work which underpinned the reorganisation of the Faculty of Medical Sciences at Newcastle University. The ‘Good to Great’ project re-imagined the structures of research groups across the faculty to facilitate multi-disciplinary research activity as well as provide a more coherent, responsive and user-focussed service for researchers.

Matt is a Board member of the Association of Research Managers and Administrators where he is Director of Member Engagement. He is an active peer mentor and also co-champion of the Research Evaluation Special Interest Group where he is a keen promoter of responsible approaches to research evaluation and the use of metrics.