About Mat

I worked hard at medical school and came top of the year. I knew early on that surgery was for me. I entered ENT by chance rather than by design, being fortunate to work in an old fashioned system where people rotated around a range of posts, and broad experience, apprenticeship, and time-served were seen as assets rather than failures/liabilities. I enjoyed research, completed a PhD towards the end of my training, obtained external grants, and won prizes with my work; some 10 years later I still maintain industry collaborations arising from my research, and I hope that my research continues to have an impact.

Once working as a consultant, I realised that I can also have an influence of the staff around me, as well as patients. I did a Masters in Medical Education, and when the opportunity arose, took on the role of ENT lead at our university. I was also involved in professionalism, and have been Training Programme Director. I also became engaged with national committees, serving on the council of British Otorhinolaryngological Research Society, and Students and Foundations Doctors in Otolaryngology.

Like many doctors, once the impostor syndrome of being a new consultant settled down, I began to wonder what’s next for my career. Asking myself “Is this it?” coincided with a period of ill health leading to a wholesale reappraisal of where my life is heading. I had coaching, which helped me discover my love for both great patient care as well as for developing others around me. After spending a couple of years thinking how I can bring my wished of making a difference to others, I decided that training as a coach was one way that I can do that.

The year-long coach training programme accredited by the Institute of Leadership and Management and run by the British School of Coaching was an eye opener. It made me realise how the medical model of “doctor knows best” might work for patients, but this is not how one develops people. On the other hand, coaching, with unconditional positive regard, asking questions rather than offering answers, and gentle challenge, is a much better way to help others find their own way forward. Studying coaching gave me a new appetite for learning, and I have read widely and attended numerous short coaching courses. I have also engaged with the coaching professional bodies and communities, helping set up and now co-chairing Association for Coaching’s Co-Coaching Forum for Health and Social Care. I then  decided to study coaching at an even greater depth than ILM by enrolling in a Masters in Coaching and Mentoring with Oxford Brookes University. 

I use coaching as a way of leading now, and hope that others benefit from my coaching expertise. I continue to work full time in the NHS; coaching is an additional way that I can help others, and it doesn’t replace my dedication to great patient care.

I have a successful and meaningful career as a consultant, combining NHS clinical work with undergraduate teaching commitments. Coaching enables me to use my own experiences and coaching expertise to help other doctors create successful and meaningful careers, both in clinical and in leadership spheres.

Outside of work, I live with my partner and two dogs. I enjoy gardening, running, and the outdoors in general.