Matthew Richards, Head of Recruitment & Resources at Barnet Council

Matthew is a seasoned Human Resources leader with over 20 years of global experience across Talent Acquisition, Employee Benefits, Recruitment, and Organisational Development. He works with organisations to deliver transformation within complex, matrixed environments, combining both strategic vision and operational execution.

He has a strong track record of driving business efficiencies and unlocking commercial opportunities through innovative workforce solutions. His experience spans the design and implementation of in-house HR systems, as well as the procurement and performance management of HR services valued at over £72 million.

Matthew has led large-scale transformation programmes, aligning talent strategies with broader business objectives. He is particularly experienced in embedding digital and AI-powered solutions to streamline recruitment processes, enhance employee engagement, and support data-driven decision-making.