Experienced Leader of the Year
Matthew has spent his career leading in environments where decisions are public, consequences are real, and people depend on his judgement. After more than a decade in frontline politics taking decisions under close scrutiny, he now uses those instincts, alongside strategic and delivery discipline, to help places and public sector leaders turn ambition into outcomes that genuinely work for people.
He joined ICC in 2022, and progressed from Senior Consultant to Managing Consultant to Director in less than three years.
Matthew created and leads ICC’s unique Strategic Place offer and works with cities, counties and combined authorities to transform their capacity and capability. Alongside this, he has led ICC’s work on Local Government Reorganisation, reframing a sector-wide expectation of narrow consolidation and efficiency into a place-led agenda focused on economic opportunity, democratic legitimacy and prevention-focused public services. Under real pressure, his teams built new capabilities with clients and, alongside A Case for Cities, helped shift how the government is now taking forward a critical agenda.
His leadership style combines warmth, humour and care for people with seriousness of intent and high standards. He is trusted to step in at the hardest moments and to step back when others are ready to lead, absorbing pressure so teams can perform and backing intelligent risk-taking where quality and imagination matter.
View the profile in the MCA Members Directory.