Matthew is a seasoned executive with over three decades of leadership experience in the UK port sector spanning municipal, private and trust ports.  First entering the world of port work at the Port of Seaham at a time when coal export grades such as ‘Danish Salt’, ‘Durham Special Singles’ and ‘Wearmouth Washed Smalls’ were still very much the order of the day.  A subsequent move to the Port of Tyne then followed with Matthew leading a strategy of diversifying the port’s commercial services, reducing trade flow dependencies and enhancing financial resilience.

Recruited to the Port of Sunderland in 2010, Matthew has played a pivotal role in transforming the port into a strategic asset for the city with clear commercial diversification and revenue growth. Under his leadership, the port has re-established itself as a credible commercial entity and one that attracts significant self-funding private sector investment and continues to shape the port as a UK hub for advanced materials handling and circular economy innovation.

Throughout his career, Matthew has never forgotten the importance of professional network development.  In his view the Critical Industry Society is creating a unique opportunity to facilitate this objective and very much looks forward to pressing ahead with this at today’s lunch.’