Matthew trained as an architect at the Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London, and has worked at Conran & Partners since 1987.

Matthew's considerable experience in complex urban developments includes the Metropolitan in Glasgow and, most significantly, Ocean Terminal on the waterfront in Edinburgh. Matthew led the design team on this ground-breaking 44,000 sq m shopping and leisure building, from masterplanning and urban design through to tender and beyond. He also worked closely with Paul Zara in the masterplanning of Butlers Wharf between 1993 and 1995, before taking on the role of lead designer on Bluebird, which won a Civic Trust Special Award in 1998.

More recently, he has secured planning permission for a 750,000 sq m redevelopment of a whole city block in Glasgow's Merchant City conservation area, comprising retail, office space and apartments in new and listed buildings. Other masterplanning and urban design projects include reinvigorating a town centre in Yorkshire and planning a major residential and leisure scheme in the Algarve.

Matthew contributes features to planning and architectural publications and is a regular speaker for Design for Homes. He is currently investigating innovative new approaches to affordable housing.