About Matthew
I work with boards and senior leaders when organisations are under pressure, facing difficult decisions, or need to see their situation more clearly.
Clients typically seek my support when something is not working as it should: where governance is under strain, relationships between boards and executive leaders are becoming difficult, concerns have been raised about conduct or culture, or where organisations need independent judgement in situations where the stakes are high and the answers are not obvious. I work with both boards and executive teams to bring clarity, challenge thinking where needed, and help organisations move forward with confidence. If this sounds familiar, you will know the kind of situation I mean.
My work sits in the space where problems are rarely straightforward: complex, human and often systemic. Supporting organisations in these situations requires more than technical expertise in a single area. It demands a combination of deep knowledge and the ability to work across governance, operations, organisational culture and the realities of how people learn and work together.
I have nearly thirty years’ experience spanning operational leadership, system-level work and advisory roles, and I am often brought in when situations are sensitive, high-stakes or not working as they should. I am known for bringing clarity, independence and calm judgement, particularly where organisations need to make difficult decisions or navigate uncertainty.
I have played a significant role in the development of the school business leadership profession. As a Fellow and former Chair of the Institute of School Business Leadership, I chaired the practitioner group responsible for creating the national professional standards and later led the Fellowship Assessment Panel, supporting recognition at the highest level of the profession.
My career has taken me across a wide range of contexts, from high-performing selective schools to complex inner-city environments, and from grassroots community projects to national policy work. I have supported organisations through periods of significant challenge and change, including contributing to school improvement work, advising governing boards, and leading or supporting investigations into workplace conduct, complaints and executive decision-making.
Earlier in my career, I worked at board level for charities delivering education and infrastructure projects in sub-Saharan Africa. These experiences continue to shape my perspective on leadership, risk and the practical realities of delivering change in complex environments.
I am the founder of MCW Mastery | Clarity | Wisdom Ltd, through which I provide governance advice, operational scrutiny, investigations, executive coaching and interim leadership support. My work is grounded in a simple belief: that there is considerable wisdom within the system, and that effective support helps leaders think clearly, act decisively and use their resources well.
Alongside my advisory work, I am developing further expertise in online and inclusive education through postgraduate study and professional learning. I am a full member of the Chartered College of Teaching and have completed courses in areas including refugee education, inclusive leadership and the safe use of artificial intelligence in schools. I also tutor GCSE and A level Business Studies. This work informs my practice, particularly where leadership, inclusion and digital strategy intersect.
Outside of work, my three children are now all in their twenties. My wife and I have adopted and cared for several retired racing greyhounds over the years, and I am a regular parkrun participant and half marathon runner. I continue to support a range of charitable causes.
All views expressed are my own.
Twitter: @MidlandsSBM
Bluesky: @matthew.mcw.org.uk
Linkedin: Matthew Clements-Wheeler