“I got my first taste of leadership with a very small quality planning team – I was able to grow that team and realised I quite enjoyed it. There's less engineering work, but lots of problem solving. It's so much about people now; lots of mentoring, lots of coaching. And that's what I really enjoy.”
Matt first joined Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in 2010 as an intern and returned as a graduate in 2013, after completing an engineering degree. Now, managing the Trim Manufacturing team, he’s made exciting progress and has never stopped looking for opportunities to learn.
“I was always passionate about education. During my graduate programme, I had the chance to do my master's degree alongside work. It was all possible thanks to the full support of my line manager”.
Throughout his programme, he was able to explore his interests, work across different teams and find a career that excited him. Starting out in the Quality team at the home of Rolls-Royce, he then discovered other key parts of the business.
“I went to Munich for a placement in New Product Strategy. It was mostly marketing, something I had no background in, but they gave me great opportunities to develop and I even got to represent Rolls-Royce Motor Cars at the Geneva Motor Show.”
Now, as a team manager, Matt’s come a long way from where he started. He admits he never expected to enjoy management, but when he found himself leading a team to success, he realised it was an exciting way to take his career forward.
“I got my first taste of leadership with a very small quality planning team – I was able to grow that team and realised I quite enjoyed it. There's less engineering work, but lots of problem solving. It's so much about people now; lots of mentoring, lots of coaching. And that's what I really enjoy.”
Matt is keen to pass on his skills and knowledge, working as a STEM ambassador and helping the next generation to start their careers.
“It involves lots of mentoring and coaching as well as school events and case studies. We’re working to remove the roadblocks and change the preconceived ideas people have on their path to STEM careers.”