Raised in south-west London, Matthew read Classics at Worcester College, Oxford. After two years in the Civil Service Fast Stream, he took his PGCE at Cambridge University, before starting his teaching career at King’s College School Wimbledon, teaching in both Senior and Junior Schools, and also getting involved in cross country running, Duke of Edinburgh expeditions, musical ensembles, overseas expeditions and the pastoral leadership of the Sixth Form.
In 2004, he moved to be Head of Classics at North London Collegiate School, and in 2010 became Academic Deputy, responsible for all areas of the curriculum, teaching and learning, and university outcomes. In 2012, he was appointed Senior Deputy Head, running the school on a day-to-day basis.
From January 2017 until December 2024 he was Headmaster of Notting Hill & Ealing High School, with overall responsibility for both Senior and Junior Schools. During his eight years, he was Governor of a local primary school, Chair of the London 11+ Consortium, and Co-Chair of the GSA/HMC Universities Higher Education and Futures Committee, representing independent schools to UK universities.
Matthew is a keen hill walker, completing the Scottish Munros, and keeping up cross-country running. He sings, plays the violin and the piano (in diminishing order of competence), and also wrestles with (and occasionally sets) cryptic crosswords. He is married to a concert violinist and has a young daughter.