National education expert joins University of Cumbria as Professor of Practice (Public Sector)

The Professor of Practice role is designed to connect students and staff with leading professionals from outside higher education, health, and the wider public sector, enriching the curriculum and contributing to the university’s strategic vision.

Matt’s appointment will help deepen Cumbria’s engagement with national and international health, education and other public sector bodies, and support its mission to be a catalyst for prosperity, growth, and pride. 

Matt joins the university bringing significant expertise in public service reform. Prior to his current role in health policy and delivery, Matt worked in the education sector.  

Matt is a qualified teacher, former school and charity leader and education policy advisor. He co-founded the Ambition Institute, the UK’s largest provider of teacher and school leader professional development, and served as founding chief executive of Oak National Academy, the government’s curriculum and education technology body. He has advised the UK government and several Australian state governments on school improvement. In recognition of his contribution to education, Matt was awarded an OBE in 2020. 

Matt has deep ties to the region. He lives in Penrith and volunteers as chair of the standards committee for Cumbria Education Trust - the county’s largest multi-academy trust. He also chairs the board of governors at Bay Leadership Academy in Morecambe. 

Commenting on his Professor of Practice appointment, Matt, below, said: 

"I am excited to be joining the University of Cumbria as Professor of Practice. Cumbria has a proud heritage of educating and empowering communities, and I believe real change happens when we invest in people and build strong, resilient systems. Drawing on my experience and expertise in education, health and public service reform, I look forward to equipping students, academics and public sector leaders with the insight and tools needed to meet the challenges of tomorrow."

The University of Cumbria is number one in the North West and among the top 10 in the country for graduates. As a leading provider of Initial Teacher Training (ITT), the university has a rich heritage of educating generations of teachers, with its ITT provisions rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted in 2023, a ranking also awarded to its Apprenticeship provision in 2024. 

The University of Cumbria is the leading provider for paramedic apprenticeship. Its trailblazing programme has opened pathways into paramedic careers for individuals who may not have followed traditional routes.  

The University of Cumbria continues to strengthen its reputation as a leading institution for professional education by partnering with Imperial College London to establish a new medical School in Carlisle. The Pears Cumbria School of Medicine welcomed its first cohort of students in August, expanding access to medical education in the region, providing students with a world-class academic experience and preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals to address the evolving challenges of modern healthcare.  

Professor Brian Webster-Henderson OBE, Deputy Vice Chancellor, left, said: “Matt is an established policy influencer in teacher education, having been an advisor for the Department for Education, and who is now a Senior Advisor to the Secretary of State for Health,  focusing on the delivery of the government’s priorities and the work of the Department of Health and Social Care’s delivery unit during this period of reform. 

“As a local Cumbrian we have agreed to work with Matt across our public sector provision (Health and Education) and to utilise and access his skills as we seek to grow and modify our provision in line with changing policy. Matt in his role will also act as a critical friend to the Deans of our Institute of Health and Institute of Education, Arts and Society. We are delighted to welcome Matt to our university at this exciting time in the delivery of our strategic intentions.”