'Matt joined Le Fevre Communications, which I co-owned, fresh from Oxford City Council, where he cut his teeth as a press officer.
'It was the mid-90s, we were growing quickly, and needed people like Matt: no nonsense, no messing, just sleeves rolled up, with exquisite delivery every time, and always with a wry smile.
'He was the rock when the rest of us were running around, hyperventilating through deadlines.
'When NatWest headhunted him, we did everything within our powers to make Matt stay, but he was destined for corporate excellence.
'Over the past seven years he has climbed the ladder and is now in the top comms job at Abbey. A brick, and a real pro, Matt is the Daddy.'
Matthew Young is director of communications at Abbey.
