Founder Matthew Bell, based in London, completed an MA in Social Anthropology with Development from Edinburgh University in 1995 and shortly afterwards joined a public affairs agency which specialised in issues surrounding billion pound regeneration projects.

Some years later Matthew decided to adopt a more 'hands-on' approach and launched Matthew Bell Associates in the late 1990's. The aim was to pioneer new ways of doing business and challenge conventional paradigms. Matthew has achieved significant success in helping to develop the organic produce sector from the late 1990's onwards, taking it from a 'cottage industry' to a commercial-scale industry, linking seemingly opposed values into a series of successful and profitable partnerships.

Applying the lessons and knowledge gained from the basic principles of bringing different elements together in partnership, Matthew has more recently turned his attention to regeneration, disadvantaged communities, local food networks and the wider environmental and social commerce sectors.

Today Matthew works with a broad range of top names within the private, public and third sector organisations.