Matthew is a Business Restructuring Partner with over 30 years’ experience of working with boards and businesses in both the private and public sector. He is known for his empathetic, intelligent approach, combining an ability to communicate clearly at all stakeholder levels and resolving complex and competing issues. He works collaboratively with BDO’s sector and situational experts from varying disciplines including operational improvement, working capital solutions, debt advisory, pensions advisory, tax structuring and M&A. As a qualified insolvency practitioner, he has a keen yet practical insight into the duties of directors and trustees; obligations that fall on him personally when he acts as an appointed office holder and as Accountable Officer in education sector appointments. He brings this deep experience to translate the legal / hypothetical into the practical / implementable. Matthew leads Public Sector & Not for Profit restructuring services. As such, he has worked closely with Higher and Further education providers, complex corporates, lenders, government departments & agencies, and regulators. Matthew is a member of the Charity Commission’s panel of financial advisers and is authorised to act as Interim Manager on the appointment by the Commissioner. He presents regularly at conferences including ICAEW, R3, Institute for Turnaround, and the Turnaround Management Association. He is a leading Partner in BDO’s multi-discipline Education Group and is well known for his expertise and experience in Higher Education restructuring and advisory. GSM London Ltd – Working closely with the Board, Matthew led the BDO team to devise and implement a precedent setting orderly market-exit and transfer plan, supporting the transfer of all students wishing to continue their studies to alternative providers, with minimal disruption. The plan required close coordination with several government departments including DfE, the Student Loan Company, UCAS, OIA, and the Office for Students. Project Rhythm – Implementing a solvent strategy to demerge (financial, regulatory, governance) six HE sister-institutions from the well-established parent enabling them to pursue their interests independently. Project Copley – Advising the Board of an HE Provider and non-exempt charity facing insolvency in the renegotiation of its debt facilities to deliver a platform for further investments and turnaround. Hadlow and West Kent & Ashford Colleges – Appointed the first ever Education Administrator of two FE Colleges and exempt charities, leading a team of 30 and working closely with the colleges’ interim leadership, staff, unions, and the FEC. Following the implementation of an innovative and groundbreaking strategy, the colleges’ operations were successfully transferred to new college groups and are thriving. Bell Pottinger LLP – The UK’s self-appointed highest profile PR agency, Matthew was appointed by the Board to devise and deliver a complex strategy that preserved value in the face of intense (and deserved) public scrutiny. HCT Group – A significant charity group operating a national network of vital SEN transport services. Matthew was the lead Board adviser responsible for devising a duties’ compliant strategy to ensure continuation of services. The engagement was awarded the Community Impact Turnaround of the Year by the Institute for Turnaround.
