About MBA

Matt set up MBA in 2019 to work with consultancies, research firms, government and non-government organisations supporting them to build robust and actionable programmes of evaluation and learning to meet policy makers and other delivery agencies needs.

He works directly with clients and collaborates with a trusted network of associates where additional expertise is required.

Since 2019 MBA has completed approximately 25 assignments - read more about these on the MBA projects page.

Before setting up MBA as a specialist evaluation consultancy, Matt spent 11 years in senior research and evaluation roles in Central Government and what works centres, 7 years in academic and local authority research teams and 5 years as a sole trader providing full service research and evaluation delivery (Baumann Social Research / Prova LLP).

Matt brings

over 30 years of experience in public policy / services research and evaluation across government, research consultancies, charities and 'what works' organisations.
a track record of successfully helping teams navigate evaluation in complex, evolving programmes with high levels of repeat business.
a MSc in Advanced Social Research and Statistics from City University London (2000) and an undergraduate degree in Politics and History (1993) from University of the West of England.
extensive formal training and practice based knowledge of quantitative and qualitative design, data collection and analysis.
experience of how evaluation actually works inside government having over 8 years held senior research and evaluation roles in two central government departments.
strong skills in effective evaluation scoping, commissioning and management from his roles in central government departments
deep experience of evaluation delivery - Matthew has led or made a significant contribution to around 100 evaluations and research projects.
wide ranging experience of doing research and evaluation in different sectors - including children and adults social care, housing, health services, arts and health, communities, energy and net zero, nature and farming, youth violence, regional economic development.
deep knowledge, skills and experience in the application of a wide range of evaluation designs and methods from RCTs, Quasi-Experimental Designs, Theory Based Methods for impact evaluation through to developmental and formative methods for process evaluationand qualitative comparative approaches.
established evaluation leadership - having developed and published a number of innovative evaluation tools to support evaluation planning and delivery.
clear understanding of how to deliver meaningful and actionable evaluation even in some of the most challenging policy and programme contexts.
access to a network of independent evaluation consultants - he established a LinkedIn group in 2025 to support learning and development and business collaboration amongst UK based sole traders and micro businesses - there are now 100 members of the group
established relationship with specialists in complexity in evaluation (Matt is an associate with CECAN).

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Why organisations like working with MBA

Quick to engage
Gets up to speed rapidly in new sectors and teams.

Experienced judgement

Drawing on more than two decades of experience, MBA helps clients make sound decisions in situations where there are no obvious answers.

Practical solutions
Balancing methodological rigour with real-world constraints.

Clarity in complexity
Helping teams make sense of complicated programmes and evidence needs.

Collaborative working
Supporting clients and partners while respecting established relationships.

Capability building
Strengthening internal skills, systems and confidence as part of every project.