In commemoration of International Men’s Day, on Sunday 19 November, we welcome Matt Allwright, freelance television and radio presenter who will discuss his career from teaching English in Japan to one of TV’s best consumer programmes “Watchdog”. 

Description

“I really love telling stories and trying to make things a bit better for people”… so says our guest today, Matt Allwright, on presenting one of the most well-known UK consumer TV shows for over 20 yrs, BBC Watchdog.

Believe it or not, fraud and scamming have been in exitance for centuries but in this current digital age, deception has become more sophisticated. As a freelance journalist and broadcaster, Matt believes that shows such as Watchdog and Rogue Traders – which he also presented – allows people to “know that someone is on their side, fighting their corner”. Compassionate about his work and striving to confront spuriousness, Matt has encountered over 100 doorstep confrontations where he has been jet-washed, pushed, shoved and even had a biro poked up his nose!

In addition to his broadcasting credentials, Matt is a freelance writer and regular contributor to The Chartered Trading Standards Institute and Best Magazine He has also written a book – The Watchdog Consumer Survival Guide.

With a passion for music (he is a member of a band “The Walnuts”) and love of quizzes (having hosted The Last Exit and The Code), we are honoured to welcome Matt to the IUA, where he will chat to the audience about the challenges and highlights of his career to date, on the importance of emphasizing the rise, activity and consequences of national fraud, plus how he remains professional and focused to help the British public whilst exposing trickery.

Matt will also discuss his patronage for SANDS (Stillborn and Neonatal Death Society) and LAUNCHPAD, a charity addressing homelessness in Reading, his hometown.

Interesting Fact: Matt won BBC TV’s Celebrity Mastermind in 2004 and at this event, we will be asking him a couple of questions on his chosen subject! (and it’s not Liverpool FC!!)

Speakers

• Matt Allwright, Presenter and Broadcaster
• In conversation with Tom Hughes, Senior Market Services Executive, IUA
• Event Chaired by Fiona Wilson, HR Manager, Trans Re and Chair of the IUA HR & Training Committee