Matthew is the Government’s first Director-General for Digital and Media. His goal is to make Britain the most connected, tech-friendly, innovation-driven, digital-skilled and cyber-secure country in the world.

Matthew was Ambassador to Israel and on his return to the UK in 2015 led the Cabinet Office’s cyber security unit as its Director of Cyber Security, focused on keeping Britain safe from cyber attacks.

Matthew’s previous roles include Private Secretary for Foreign Affairs to the Prime Minister (Tony Blair and Gordon Brown) and Principal Private Secretary to the Foreign Secretary (David Miliband and William Hague).

Other postings with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office include Tehran, Islamabad, Washington and Manila, where Matthew launched a programme of cooperation between Britain and the Philippines to combat child abuse, for which he was awarded the MBE in 1997. He was awarded the CMG in 2015 for promoting cooperation in tech and science between Britain and Israel.