Matthew Phillips

Current Employer/Organisation Name

Leicester City Football Club

What have you been doing since leaving Exeter, and what are you doing now?

Trained as a solicitor at Linklaters and then spent 15 years as a media and technology associate and then partner at Olswang. Moved in-house to BT in 2015, leading the media legal team (supporting BT Sport and BT TV) and, subsequently, the broadcast compliance and IP teams. Joined Leicester City Football Club as General Counsel in 2019.

Why did you choose this career? And what do you enjoy most about your work?

Quickly realised during my training that I wanted to become a commercial lawyer. I have been very fortunate that I have since been able to develop my experience across media, technology and, more recently sport, working on deals and for businesses that I’m passionate about.

Please tell us if you were a member of any societies, groups or sports clubs?

Played drums and percussion in various orchestras, groups and bands. Member of (and, for one year, President of) Exeter University Singers. Bracton Law Society.

What did you enjoy most about your programme and what was the biggest highlight?

Really enjoyed being able to specialise a bit, later on during my degree. Most enjoyed writing a dissertation on music recording contracts.

What did you enjoy most about studying here?

The people I met (one of whom is my wife!).

Why did you choose to study at Exeter?

Loved the campus (and was an Oxbridge reject).

What skills and experiences have been most useful for your career?

I think everything ends up being useful – you just don’t necessarily end up realising that at the time.