Director, Development and Communications 

Background

I have a degree in Geography and MSC in Environmental Analysis and enjoy bringing together different partners to support environmental and social change. I spent 15 years at VSO, mostly focused on work in Asia and then led global strategy and business development from the Head Office in London.

More recently I spent six years at the Open University leading the International Development Office, a team responsible for extending the university’s social mission globally through international partnerships. My team won multiple awards for the innovative use of technology and scale of delivery by using open distance learning in Bangladesh, India, and across Sub-Saharan Africa.

I’ve spent the last year working as a consultant on a UNDP project in Myanmar to create a digital platform for tertiary education to provide opportunities for students to continue to learn despite the political turmoil throughout the country. I have extensive experience co-creating and delivering strategies, programmes, and projects and securing large scale partnerships with institutional donors. These include DFAT, EC, FCDO, USAID, UN agencies and corporate and philanthropic partners.  

Dream project

I’m interested in public engagement and have been really impressed by the work of Martin Lewis and his moneysavingexpert.com platform in the UK throughout the cost-of-living crisis – I’ve admired the way he has both been a passionate advocate for change in government policy and provided clear explanations and practical guidance to the public. I would love to create a similar platform for environmental and social justice. 

What floats my boat outside work

Adventures with friends, rediscovering lesser-known parts of the UK, feeling at home in the Peak District, thinking/watching/playing sport (mainly hockey and tennis), live music, plans to get into Padel and to do more gardening in the year ahead.   

Contact Matt