Matt Finnegan is a communications expert with wide ranging experience as a journalist, communications director and consultant.

Matt’s career has built on more than 20 years experience as a respected journalist in the North West, mostly at the Manchester Evening News.

After Labour’s landslide victory in the 1997 General Election – Matt was a volunteer member of the Party’s legendary Millbank communications team – he moved into Public Relations, spending two years working on a series of high profile projects, including The Lowry and the Imperial War Museum North.

He was then headhunted in 1999 to run communications for the council in Liverpool, the city of his birth.

During his six years with the council, Liverpool enjoyed its most positive period of publicity, culminating in the city winning the nomination to be European Capital of Culture, 2008.

Since leaving Liverpool, Matt has founded a social enterprise, Sound Communication (wwww.soundcommunication.org.uk) which provides marketing, PR, graphic and web design, media relations to a range of Third Sector, social enterprises and public sector clients.

Sound Communication is currently working with the North West TUC on its campaign to protect and defend public services – www.proudtoservethepublic.org.uk

Matt has also worked as a consultant for private sector clients, including major housing companies as well as registered social landlords and housing associations.

Matt has worked for a range of blue chip companies such as Marks and Spencer, Royal and Sun Alliance, HBOS and major public sector organisations, including Salford City Council, Tameside Council and other public authorities.

Matt is a qualified Management Coach and Mentor and is an experienced lecturer and trainer in Media Relations, web marketing and digital communications.