Matthew’s thesis traces the development of DSIT and its predecessor departments from 1918 to 2024, examining theories of declinism through a critique of interpretations of state capacity in science, technology and innovation policy. Alongside this work, his research offers a critical analysis of regulation and regulatory institutions in response to rapid technological change and increasing global competition.
Prior to his doctoral research, Matthew was an Attlee Scholar, completing his Master’s degree at Queen Mary, University of London in 2010. His research focused on Whitehall reform, examining policy development and the scrutiny processes undertaken by the first Thatcher Government to improve efficiency, accountability and effectiveness in the Civil Service between 1976 and 1982. This grounding in constitutional history and administrative reform continues to shape his academic approach to contemporary policy challenges. Matthew’s career spans public service, education and the private sector. He joined a City-based consultancy in 2011, supporting third-sector organisations to professionalise leadership and governance at national and international levels.
From 2013, he shifted to specialise on international development, exporting British education to Asia, the Middle East and Africa. He has since held senior leadership roles across education, consultancy and governance, supporting the second-stage growth of an edTech start-up, co-founding an international school and providing strategic advice to the board of a Paris-based educational investment firm which seeks to advance bilingual education in Europe.
His academic and professional work is underpinned by a strong belief that education should be competitive, outward-looking and socially purposeful, with effective collaboration between private and state-funded schools. In 2021 Matthew was granted the Freedom of the City of London. He holds a number of voluntary roles; of note, Matthew is currently engaged in a project to deliver a new teacher-training programme in Rwanda. His work and academic interests reflect a sustained commitment to leadership, public service and meaningful educational impact.