Matthew Offord lives in Hendon and until the election worked at the BBC at Television Centre near Shepherd’s Bush.
He is a keen sailor, both on the Welsh Harp and also off-shore on larger yachts. When not on the water Matthew also likes to be under it as he is a keen scuba diver and qualified up to the level of instructor. He is also an elected Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and in 2005 undertook a 2,000 km exploration of the Libyan Desert. Travel in general is another of his interests.
Matthew became involved with the Conservative Party whilst at university in Nottingham in the early 90s, working his way up the voluntary side of the Party until he became Chairman of the Hendon Conservative Association in January 2004. In addition to that he has also worked as an Agent for the Party in numerous campaigns and seats.
In 2001, Matthew was selected to fight the safe Labour seat of Barnsley East and Mexborough in South Yorkshire. Matthew has been a councillor in Hendon since 2002. In addition to being Deputy Leader of Barnet Council he has also the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, Cabinet Member for Investment in Learning and Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Comunikty Engagement.
In July 2007, Matthew was selected by an ‘Open Primary’ system when almost 300 people from Hendon chose him from a short list. Matthew won the seat of Hendon at the 2010 election.
