Our people

Matt Dean, Founder

Matt qualified as a solicitor in 1991 and worked as an employment lawyer until the creation of byrne·dean in September 2003.  Between 1995 and 2003 he worked at Simmons & Simmons where from 1998 he was Head of its innovative Employment Law Training.  Matt’s vision for byrne·dean was to bring together some of the highest quality practitioners in a dynamic organisation focussed on making a difference in clients’ workplaces.  He is a passionate advocate of moving away from adversarial internal processes and the use of workplace mediation.

Matt’s primary professional focus since 1998 has been on developing and delivering interactive management training products and on the explanation of employment law in an accessible way. Increasingly he works one to one with individuals.  Matt's approach challenges individuals and groups to reflect on their preferences, to examine their own behaviour and to accept responsibility for the working environment and relationships that they create and sustain.

His extensive experience of training, coaching and mentoring in 21 different legal jurisdictions has broadened his expertise away from just employment law and employment relations to encompass diversity and inclusion and cultural and behavioural change. 

Matt chaired the Training Sub-Committee of the Employment Lawyers Association between 2002 and 2006. Matt was Chair of Islington Law Centre (formerly North Islington Law Centre) from 1999 to 2005 where he had worked as a volunteer and member of the employment unit since 1991.

Summary CV

Education

Oxford University, Pembroke College

Manchester Polytechnic (Law Society Finals)

Career History

1986 - 1988: Unilever plc (Brand Manager)

1989 - 1995: Richards Butler

1995 - 2003: Simmons & Simmons

2003 - date: Founder Director, byrne·dean