Matt Thompson

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Matt trained as an archaeologist in the mid-1990s and worked in the field with units such as Wessex, Oxford, and Framework Archaeology. During this time, he also trained in heritage woodland management techniques such as coppicing and hedge-laying. 

From 2000 Matt has worked in a number of museums and heritage organisations. These include the National Railway Museum and the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust. Since 2015 Matt has been Head Collections Curator with English Heritage overseeing all aspects of the curation of a collection of over one million artefacts. Since November 2023 Matt has been Interim Curatorial Director at English Heritage. 

Matt’s interests are varied and include, as might be expected, archaeology in its broadest sense, encompassing prehistory to industrial archaeology. However, he also has significant experience of curating collections including fine and decorative arts, social and industrial history. His PhD research looked at railway advertising of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century and how this was used to create notions of regional and national identity. Matt remains fascinated by the ways in which our heritage continues to shape contemporary understandings of who we are.