Early Life
Sir Terence Hedley Matthews was born on June 6, 1943, in Newport, South Wales. He grew up in Newbridge, Caerphilly, and attended Swansea University, where he received a bachelor's degree in electronics in 1969. He began his career with an apprenticeship at British Telecom's research lab.
Rise to Success
Matthews's entrepreneurial journey began with co-founding Mitel in 1972 with Michael Cowpland. Mitel became a successful manufacturer of small PBX systems and telecom semiconductors. In 1986, he founded Newbridge Networks, which later became a leader in the data networking industry. Mitel was later sold to British Telecom, while Newbridge Networks was sold to Alcatel.
Key Business Strategies
Matthews is known for identifying opportunities and bringing innovation to the telecommunications industry. His strategy involves building companies and then selling them on. He is also known for providing seed funding for startups. Matthews's companies have benefited from his focus on timing, hard work, and smart partnerships. He has founded or funded over 100 companies, demonstrating a consistent ability to identify and capitalize on market trends.
Philanthropy
Matthews is involved in philanthropy through the Wesley Clover Foundation. The foundation supports entrepreneurship, healthcare, education, and community initiatives. He hosts an annual gala, Lumière, which has raised over $1 million for charity.