Matt Gough

Title: Chief Operating Officer
Team: C-suite

In January 2025, Matt Gough joined Southdown as Chief Operating Officer, working as part of our senior C-suite leadership team.

Matt’s career journey reflects a strong foundation in people-focused leadership. Beginning in private sector facilities management, he then moved to a frontline role as an RSPCA Inspector, where he gained invaluable experience in empowering individuals to achieve the best outcomes. Over the years, Matt progressed through operational management roles, leading geographically dispersed teams and tackling challenging responsibilities.

Most recently, Matt served as Head of Operations at the Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare. There, he led the redesign of operational services, spearheaded innovative projects, and built strategic partnerships to strengthen the Centre’s impact on animal welfare.

As COO, Matt’s focus is on delivering operational excellence, ensuring that our services are psychologically informed, high-performing, and rooted in our values. As part of our senior C-suite leadership team, he also plays a pivotal role in shaping and developing Southdown’s strategic direction.