Matt is an Associate Director with extensive experience in health and safety and fire safety. Prior to qualifying as a solicitor, Matt was a Police Officer for 5 years.
Matt has helps organisations and individuals in their response to investigations by enforcing authorities following serious incidents. These have included the explosions at Buncefield, Pembroke Oil Refinery and the Croydon tram derailment.
The sectors in which Matt has advise include property, construction, manufacturing, energy and transport.
Utilising his experience of incident investigations to inform areas of potential risk, Matt provides strategic safety advice, including corporate governance, due diligence and the development of procedures. This includes looking at both organisational and individual health and safety liability within complex corporate structures.
Matt has a particular specialism in fire and building safety, this is an area of increasing focus for clients and enforcement.
Matt has also represented clients at a number of multi-day inquests, conducting his own advocacy.
Listed as a Rising Star "with particular experience of handling the fallout from serious incidents." Legal 500
"The OC H&S team provides responsive, holistic, commercially savvy, practical advice to their clients." Legal 500
Helping you succeed in tomorrow's world
Matt's building and fire safety work includes advising alternative living providers.
Urbanisation, the way in which we live and work and how that can be achieved safely is very relevant as residents become more informed and standards are raised.
Matt is also a director on the board of Arnos Vale Cemetery Trust, a Victorian garden cemetery that is of recognised historic importance. As well as providing a venue for events it is also a precious conservation space. Matt is keen to help this local charitable asset to thrive.
Multinational chain of coffeehouses
Successful defence of health and safety prosecution.
National Retirement Living Provider
Advised on response to Fire Service enforcement resulting in withdrawal of proceedings.
Advising holding company and asset owning SPV's on portfolio of large UK shopping centres
Advice on health and safety obligations, including how to structure monitoring and reporting.
Multinational funding advisor in renewable energy sector
Advising on response to health and safety investigation following a fatality.
Insights
Enhancing the financial performance of energy assets: understanding legal obligations
As the regulator Ofgem becomes increasingly interventionist, it pays off to be aware of directors' duties, health and safety risks...
Recession proof, but can co-living be pandemic proof?
Many commentators in the co-living industry consider the asset class to be recession proof, but can it adapt sufficiently to...
Fire Safety Bill signals more post-Grenfell changes for multi-occupancy properties
Following on from the Building Safety Bill introduced earlier this year, a further Bill is set to bring about an...
Court of Appeal guidance on impact of linked companies' financial resources when considering fines
Two recent Court of Appeal decisions have provided guidance on when the financial resources of linked companies should be considered...