Since qualifying at Plymouth University in 1995, Matthew has remained in Devon, starting his career with a ‘sole practice’ consultancy, then moving to a small practice of 10+ staff with Ian Howick & partners. From there he joined a larger multi-national, multi disciplined organisation of Faber Maunsell. He also spent all of 1999 seconded on site in Bristol to a design build contractor TNG/Unite. He joined Sands in 2003 as a senior structural engineer. After becoming a chartered member of the Institution of Structural Engineers in September 2006, Matthew was promoted to associate director and became responsible for the management of the structural engineering department.

During the past 13 years in the industry, Matthew has worked on a diverse variety of different schemes and projects. These have varied greatly in both size and complexity, ranging from simple ‘domestic’ to multi-million pound building structures. Matthew has not only been responsible for the technical aspects of the structural design, but has also led design teams of structural, mechanical and electrical engineers as well as overseeing the delivery of technical drawings by managing a team of technicians.