Periyar Reservoir

Travelling to northern India’s “Golden Triangle” and Shimla after his retirement, and later to southern parts of the country, the author visited the area of the Periyar Dam and gained an understanding of the impact of the Periyar Project for the population of Tamil Nadu particularly smallholder farmers. 

As a geographer, Matthew has developed an interest in the social and political evolution of post-colonial countries including Kenya and Nigeria. In some cases the colonial legacy has had a positive and enduring impact.

Matthew’s upbringing and education in pre-independence Kenya gave him an appreciation of a colonial way of life and of the character of the British administration.  His Father, Donald, a career publisher both in Kenya and post-colonial Nigeria gave him insights into transition to self-government and the nature of emerging independent countries moving away from colonialism. 

Deployment on operations to Northern Ireland during the troubles gave him experience of the social impact of sectarian violence on the institutions of government. Operational experience contributed to his development of software systems, initially for military command and control but then for information operations to support consensual changes to society. 

Matthew is Church Warden of St Peter’s Church, Frimley Parish where Colonel John Pennycuick is buried.  Matthew’s wife, Jane, painted the portrait on this website.  Both their daughters teach and write.   They have five talented grandchildren.  Matthew is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.