Matt has been part of the London Fire Brigade since 1983 and has worked at various fire stations in East London. He quickly became involved in the Fire Brigades Union, becoming a Branch Secretary in 1984 and served as a member of the FBU London Regional Committee 1988-2005. Matt was also the London FBU Regional Organiser in 2002 and became Regional
Secretary in 2004.

In March 2005 he was elected FBU Assistant General Secretary and the following May he was elected as the General Secretary. Matt is also the Employee Side Joint Secretary of the National Joint Council for Local Authority Fire and Rescue Services (NJC) and for the Middle Managers’
Negotiating Body (MMNB). He is a member of the TUC General Council.