He leads the ‘national studies’ and ‘investigative studies’ teams. Value for money examination outputs from those teams – including work in response to concerns raised by Members of the Senedd, MPs and the public – provide the basis of much of the work of the Senedd Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee (PAPAC). Matthew’s role includes oversight of our working relationship with the PAPAC. It also includes oversight of our coordination of the National Fraud Initiative in Wales and certain other data matching work.

Matthew moved to Cardiff as a student in 1992, obtaining a first-class honours degree in Sociology and a Masters in Social Science Research Methods from Cardiff University. He started his career in academic research roles and then as research and evaluation manager for the Sports Council for Wales (Sport Wales). In 2002, he obtained his PhD, having examined barriers to the application of food hygiene management systems in small and medium sized enterprises across the UK food industry. He joined the National Audit Office [Wales] around the same time.

While working for Audit Wales, Matthew has also been supported to study for a Diploma in Public Administration through Cardiff University and the CIPFA Certificate in Investigative Practice. 

Matthew still lives in Cardiff with his wife and has two daughters. He also has experience as a former charitable trustee of the Amelia Methodist Trust Company Ltd.