Progression at Churchill – Meet Phil Matis

Welcome to the first of a new blog series – ’Progression At Churchill‘. In it we will be highlighting different members of our team, and their journey with us.

First to be featured is Phil Matis, our operations director for Scotland and the north of England. Phil first started working with Churchill in 2011 as part of our graduate management training programme after completing his MSc in Criminology and Sociology at Northumbria University.

After working his way up through the company, Phil was promoted to operations director at the beginning of 2021. He is responsible for the overall strategic planning and operational delivery of the region, in line with Churchill’s overarching group values.

Alongside many other achievements, Phil has also launched our new mentorship programme, which involves setting up strategic partnerships with educational establishments and provides mentoring and workshop training to students about to leave school and either progress with their education or start in their career. The support covers many aspects, from basic communication skills to CV writing, interviewing, personal development and much more.

Let’s hear from Phil…

‘My entrance into FM was difficult to say the least; I had great communication, leadership and training skills but I just didn’t realise how broad the sector was. I received fantastic support from people throughout the business. I was given a chance to get things wrong, while learning every aspect of my role and other roles within the business. I also had the chance to be involved in many different projects, to identify where I would be best placed within the business.

By 2013 I had been promoted and was working within the operations department and leading the very contract I started on, as well as many others in the north of England. I was part of a wider team growing the business in the North and delivering excellent service – it really was a great time, with many fond memories.’

“Towards the end of 2014, I decided to move to London to enhance my knowledge and experience of the sector. I headed up a multi-million-pound portfolio for a leading property and investment company. This also gave me the opportunity to work within other facets of the FM industry and lead teams across multiple service lines.

“Fast forward three years, I decided I wanted to move back up North. I had kept in touch with many people from Churchill during my time in London and was approached to return to lead a soft services portfolio; I didn’t hesitate.  Later that year, after more success, Churchill put me forward for the EWL PFM Young Leader Of The Year Award, for which I was a shortlisted finalist.

‘Only five years on, I now have the privilege of being co-chair for that very organisation, the EWL, an industry-renowned networking community with a focus on accelerating change for the workplace. Churchill has supported me immensely in being involved, which I greatly appreciate.

‘I have progressed through the ranks and now lead a vast portfolio as operations director, covering Scotland and the north of England. I have previously been asked to pick out the top three benefits of being part of the Churchill Group, but I can honestly say that there are so many they simply couldn’t be captured in three key points.

‘Churchill gave me my opportunity with the facilities management industry over a decade ago, invested in me, trusted me, believed in me and has given me many opportunities to improve myself, the business and the sector as a whole. I am proud to say that, as this continues, I am able to give many others the same opportunities.

‘We really value the commitment and drive shown by Phil in his time at Churchill and are so pleased to be able to showcase his success as part of our Churchill family. His determination and willingness to learn as he has progressed through his roles align greatly with Churchill’s own values as a company, making for the perfect pairing!’

– Louisa Clarke, managing director, operations