Matthew White to leave the University

Matthew White MBE is to leave his role as Director of Student Experience and Education.

Prior to being appointed Head of Directorate, Matthew was Head of Campus Commerce, having led the University’s catering team for 20years and worked at the University for 34 years.

Matthew leaves the University to assist in his partner’s business and relocate permanently to their home in Malta.

During Matthew’s time at Reading, he has overseen major initiatives within campus catering, including very recently being the first UK university to obtain Menus of Change membership, which has seen us serve more innovative and sustainable dishes to staff and students and collaborate with partners worldwide on research into consumer behaviour and sustainable catering strategies.

He has also successfully managed our relationship with our halls of residence management company, UPP, navigating challenges around accommodating our growing student population with his characteristic creativity and positivity.

Matthew also played a leading role in the wider UK catering sector, serving as Chair of The University Caterers Organisation (TUCO) for five years. He was appointed an MBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours in 2021 for services to the public sector catering and hospitality industry.

Professor Robert Van de Noort, Vice-Chancellor, said: “We are indebted to Matthew for his decades of service to the University. The transformation of our catering and campus commercial services in recent years is testament to the positive approach and dedication he has brought to his work.

“We will miss Matthew and wish him all the best of luck for this new chapter of his life.”

Professor Peter Miskell, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education and Student Experience), said: “I’m very grateful to Matthew for the huge amount of work he has put in over the last four months with colleagues to develop the new Directorate, and the wider Directorate model. This work has been hugely helpful and will continue to inform the further development and implementation of this approach.

“Thanks to Matt for this and the countless other projects he has led with such flair and enthusiasm, which have had such a positive impact on our campus life for both students and staff.”

Matthew said: “I will very much miss my colleagues across the Directorate and the wider University.

“I have given a large chunk of my life to this great institution and I will watch from afar with great interest as the University builds a more sustainable future for all.”