Matthew Costin

Chief Executive with more than 25 years’ experience in organisational leadership, commercial strategy and insight, including 17 years at board level. Most recently led a £25m international group employing approximately 170 people across UK businesses and overseas joint ventures. Combines strategic direction and financial discipline with a collaborative approach to developing people and strengthening performance.

Has led businesses through ownership transitions, organisational renewal and the pandemic, aligning teams around clear priorities and maintaining the confidence of clients and colleagues. Commercial track record spans building recurring income, developing customer-led propositions and opening new routes to market through industry partnerships and international expansion. Created and grew VenueVerdict into a subscription business generating more than £1m annually.

Brings extensive experience of advising senior decision-makers, using evidence to strengthen strategy, brand positioning and customer experience. Experienced in board governance, full profit and loss accountability and translating strategy into practical plans, with a leadership approach grounded in responsibility, integrity and service.

Chief Executive Officer at BDRC Group | The BVA Family / Ipsos UK (2022 – 2026)

Responsible for approximately £25m revenue and 170 employees across five UK operating companies and two international joint ventures. Member of The BVA Family Group Executive Committee. Following the 2025 Ipsos acquisition, retained BDRC Group leadership while co-leading UK integration and taking responsibility for the £7m Travel, Hospitality & Leisure practice and syndicated growth.

• Renewed organisational identity following the founders’ retirement and senior departures, making leadership appointments, refreshing the brand and introducing a revised operating model.
• Strengthened commercial structures, leadership accountability and performance management; delivered 9% year-on-year profitability growth in the final year before acquisition.
• Worked closely with boards on governance, compliance and strategic oversight, including ISO 20252 and ISO 27001 standards.
• Provided leadership continuity through acquisition and integration; re-engaged clients, contributing to 11.8% growth in Travel, Hospitality & Leisure and retention of all key clients. Led the £7m practice and supported growth of syndicated insight products.

Managing Director at BVA BDRC | The BVA Family (2018 – 2022)

Co-led the main full-service agency, with £12m turnover and 60 full-time equivalent employees, and led commercial integration across the seven-entity international group following acquisition by The BVA Family.

• Managed the transition from an independent business to a group subsidiary, aligning commercial activity and supporting colleagues through change.
• Provided visible, reassuring leadership through the pandemic, maintaining team engagement and retaining clients and contracts while navigating the crisis without external financing.
• Represented the business externally, including as a plenary speaker at the Annual Hotel Conference and a judge for the Hotel Marketing Association Annual Awards.

Managing Director / Director, Hotels and Hospitality at BDRC Group (2008 – 2018)

Led a specialist insights business serving travel, hospitality, leisure, meetings and events, with full profit and loss accountability and responsibility for approximately 25 professionals.

• Created and grew VenueVerdict, a customer-led insight and benchmarking proposition for hotels and venues, generating more than £1m annual recurring revenue from a sustained subscriber base.
• Used client workshops to shape VenueVerdict’s roadmap and built partnerships with industry bodies and venue-finding platforms to extend its reach.
• Established BDRC Americas as a profitable US joint venture, extending the business into a new market through partnership.
• Prepared the business for an exit that secured a six-fold EBITDA multiple.

Research Executive to Research Director at BDRC Group (2002 – 2008)

Progressed through five promotions, designing, delivering and commercialising research and customer insight. Developed a strong practitioner grounding and became a trusted adviser to senior decision-makers and major international brands.

Company Director at BDRC Group Companies (2009 – 2026)

Group Executive Committee Member at The BVA Family (2022 – 2025)

Honorary Treasurer and Trustee at Meeting Needs (2026 – Present)

Contribute to financial oversight, governance and funding decisions for an events industry charity supporting community projects in the UK and overseas. Established a longstanding VenueVerdict partnership linking research participation to charitable giving, generating funds for charitable causes over an association of around 20 years.

Trustee at Sussex Pathways (2026 – Present)

Support the governance of a charity working in restorative justice and helping people involved in the criminal justice system rebuild their lives.

Volunteer football coach at Lindfield Juniors FC (2021 – Present)

FA-accredited volunteer coach, developing confidence, teamwork and participation among young players.

MBA – Henley Business School

MA in International Relations – University of Sussex

BA (Hons) in Politics – University of East Anglia