Matt Barnard - Getting To Know You

Matt Barnard tag teams with Chris Woodbridge as Business Development Director, brokering introductions between prospective clients and our tech-team genies and helping to shape bespoke project controls solutions for our customers. Outside of work, you'll probably find him mowing to the sound of a podcast – an avid consumer of books, music and media of all sorts, he's our go-to when you need a recommendation!
 

Where are you based?

About six years ago, my family took the leap and made a 'tree change,' relocating from London to rural Worcestershire, where I am currently based - and we've never looked back.

Tell us a bit about yourself 

Originally from Australia, I'm a married father of two and have lived in the UK for quite some time. I've likely developed a hybrid accent by now, though I can’t hear it myself.

How has your career path brought you to RPC?

I've been in the technology industry for quite some time, with around ten years specifically in construction tech. A few years after joining Aconex, the company was acquired by Oracle, where I spent several years managing partner relationships for the Oracle Construction and Engineering team. After a few detours, I eventually found my way to RPC, where I’m happy to be.

What attracted you to RPC?

Having known RPC for years through my previous role at Oracle and witnessing firsthand the warmth, talent, and genuine care within the team, it was an easy decision to reach out and see if they’d welcome me onboard.

What are you working on right now? 

Right now, I’m focused on introducing more people to our fantastic team and the innovative solutions we've developed to solve customer challenges. RPC has already created some highly effective tools, and there’s even more exciting work in the pipeline. Stay tuned..

What do you like best about your job?

The people and culture at RPC are truly outstanding. I love being able to introduce our customers to such talented individuals who not only do valuable work but also genuinely care about delivering the best possible results.

What do you do in your spare time?

Living where we do, I spend a lot of time gardening, landscaping, and mowing. I'm also an avid consumer of all kinds of media—books, games, TV, films, podcasts, and audiobooks. And when I’m not immersed in those, you can bet there’s always music playing either in the house or in my ears.

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

In secondary school, I aspired to be an author, although in my younger years, my main ambition was to be Batman.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given? 

It's a combination of two guiding principles: "be kind" and "don’t be a... well, you know." The second is a daily struggle.

What’s on your desk?

A pile of unclaimed expense receipts, a half-empty cup of coffee, and an assortment of knickknacks gifted by family over the years, including a Darth Vader figurine and a solar-powered dancing Jesus.

How do you like your tea?

When it's coffee.

Dog or cat? 

100% dog. Although I like the fact that cats couldn’t care less what I think. 

If your house was on fire, what 3 things would you save?

Assuming that my family and dog are all OK, the items I’d save are a beautiful guitar I received as a gift from a previous workplace, my Japanese kitchen knives, and my passport - those are particularly difficult to replace!

What would your superpower be?

My friends and I play a drinking game called "Crap Superpowers," and the funniest one I've heard so far is, "Every time you look at a baby, it starts breakdancing."