Under his leadership, our income has grown by a third, we started funding young people directly and have expanded our reach into Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

However, more than this, Matt’s impact has been personal. He has modelled a different way to run an organisation, and his kindness and support has created a truly special culture at Youth Music.

A New Kind Of Leader

In the summer of 2012, Youth Music had undergone a major restructure, with the staff team vastly reduced, to just 18 people. Operating on a tight budget, the charity needed strong leadership - and that leader arrived ready, with their shirt sleeves rolled up.

Matt immediately got Youth Music focussed on its core purpose, mission and values.
 

Championing Diversity and Inclusion

Diversity and inclusion are not optional extras for Matt; they’re the foundation for everything.

Matt’s first business plan was titled, ‘Towards A Musically Inclusive England.’ Since then, he’s succeeded in pushing this, not just to the top of Youth Music’s agenda, but to the top of the national agenda.

He made it a priority at Youth Music too. For example, pushing for young people’s representation on the board of Trustees.  Not one for giving up easily, he kept it on the agenda until he won everyone over. Young people have always had a powerful champion in Matt.

Empathetic Leadership

Matt not only championed inclusion for others but also for himself. He included himself in many tasks that usually fall outside the remit of CEO. As an ambitious person, he was not happy with just being Chief Executive Officer, he was also Chief Cocktail Maker, Chief Cleaner after Christmas Parties, and Chief Dishwasher Unloader. The latter being the part of his job we are all most appreciative of.

One of Matt’s early decisions was to give up his office so that it could be turned into a meeting room, as he was keen to work side-by-side with his colleagues. From playing complicated tunes on the marimba on a project visit, to having a drum off at the Youth Music staff ‘Give a Gig’, Matt was always involved, putting everyone at ease, and leading from the front.

Matt created a working environment where everyone felt trusted to be themselves, to get things wrong, and felt fiercely supported. It’s no wonder he’s created a culture that has allowed everyone to flourish.

Legacy

Matt’s professional legacy is remarkable. In his 13 years, Youth Music has been able to support over 1 million young people, amplified the voices of all young people in the UK, and made the music industries more inclusive.

Matt leaves Youth Music so much stronger than he found it, and with a culture that is modelled on his respect, passion for inclusion, and boldness.

His vision and values will continue to be embodied by Youth Music and will improve the lives of young musicians for decades to come.

Thank you Matt.

Looking Ahead

Angela Linton and Carol Reid have been appointed as interim Co-CEOs of Youth Music.

“We are delighted that Angela and Carol have agreed to share the leadership of Youth Music in this period, in a Co-CEO arrangement. We are grateful to them for this collaborative approach which recognises their complementary skill sets. In addition to expertise in their respective functional areas, both have incredible depth of knowledge of the organisation”.

Youth Music’s Co-Chairs Charlotte Edgeworth and Isaac Borquaye.