Matthew Streets graduated from Liverpool University in Engineering Science. He subsequently completed the Accelerated Development Programme at London Business School, and is presently a Fellow of the ‘Industrialists in Parliament’ Trust.

Between 1983 and 1989 he was based at KPMG, where he worked for a range of audit clients as well as the small business unit and training departments. After leaving KPMG he briefly joined the Madame Tussauds Group, before moving to Northern Leisure plc in 1989. At Northern Leisure he progressed from acquisitions to Group Financial Controller and finally to Group Finance Director, until its merger with Luminar Leisure plc. His achievements during this period included the £150 million acquisition and assimilation of Rank Entertainment Ltd, linked to £180 million syndicated bank facilities and a £62 million share placing, five bank re-financings and numerous acquisitions and disposals including the disposal of the French division.

In 2001 he joined Cannons Group; a large health club entity with a turnover of around £115 million, where he was Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary. His initial role involved negotiating leveraged banking facilities (£245 million) to support the £440 million public to private transaction. His achievements included a £50 million sale and lease back; the growth of 20 sites; 2 bank re-financings; the proposal, implementation and delivery of a strategic plan which involved the disposal of the Harbour Club and Dutch operations and a £6 million per annum saving plan.

Following a sabbatical in 2006, he became involved in the transaction in which 3i, a global leader in private equity, became a minority shareholder in Foster + Partners Ltd – followed by the associated change in management structure. After completion of the transaction in May 2007, he joined Foster + Partners as Chief Financial Officer and Senior Partner.