CILEX pays tribute to Matthew Foster
It is with much sadness that CILEX announces the death of Matthew Foster.
Matt served as the 56th CILEX President (2019-2020) before becoming the founding Chair of the CILEX Companions in 2021. He continued to sit on the CILEX Board as an adviser and most recently as independent board secretary.
He played an instrumental role in securing the governance reforms that established CILEX as an exemplar of good practice within the legal sector and in his former role as chair of the qualifications committee, oversaw the review of CILEX qualifications that ultimately resulted in the launch of the new CILEX Professional Qualification (CPQ).
Matt’s journey into the law was typical of so many CILEX members. He left school at 16 and spent his legal career working in local government, first in public law, advising mainly on social care cases, and later, in data protection. Earlier this year he was appointed head of legal, democratic and registration services at Wrexham County Borough Council.
CILEX Chair, Professor Chris Bones, described him as “a consummate public lawyer, an unassuming and modest man and a man who made his own way in the world to hold a senior legal role in a city administration”.
His experiences working for local authorities gave him an insight into the big issues affecting the justice system and he was passionate about ensuring access to justice, particularly for the most vulnerable in society.
During his CILEX presidency he was a key voice campaigning for changes to out-of-date laws that failed to give members equality of opportunity within the legal profession. Since his time in office, he saw CILEX succeed in breaking down many of these barriers.
“He was one of the most influential CILEX leaders in recent years,” said Chris Bones. “Quietly, with humour, courtesy and consideration he helped shape the strategy that is now changing the legal sector not just for the better, but for good.”
Matt Foster with CILEX CEO Linda Ford at his inauguration in 2019
For Matt, he said, his work for CILEX was a way of “delivering on his values and supporting something in which he believed passionately. The progress CILEX made – significant progress indeed – gave him pleasure and pride”.
Matt was a strong advocate for the CILEX route into the law and speaking at his inauguration in 2019 said, “CILEX has been a constant throughout my career. Without the education and support I have had from CILEX, I would have never been able to become a lawyer. I want to encourage others interested in a career in law, to consider the CILEX route.”
He was instrumental in the creation of the CILEX Companion honorary membership status, which allows CILEX to recognise individuals who have made an exceptional contribution to the profession, the work of CILEX or the wider justice system. He also provided technical and strategic leadership to the current review of CILEX’s regulatory arrangements and its Charter.
CILEX CEO, Linda Ford commended Matt’s contribution to CILEX, noting that his expertise as a public lawyer and his desire to ensure that CILEX is an exemplar of good practice in both governance and standards of education, played a vital part in CILEX’s achievements since he joined the organisation in 2015.
Matt Foster addresses members at CILEX’s annual graduation ceremony
Former CILEX president Phil Sherwood worked closely with Matt over the years and the two became friends. “He was a great support for me during my presidency and during his own made it look easy compared to the rest of us,” he said.
“He was able to further the aims of CILEX when meeting with senior government and agency operatives, but I think he enjoyed meeting members the most and hearing their stories. He loved graduation and sharing in the graduates’ success and achievement with their families. He was always happy to have his photo taken with members and made them laugh with his good humour and self-depreciating jokes.”
Matt, he said, was a great ambassador for CILEX and would further the cause at any opportunity, never afraid to ask the awkward questions when necessary. “He achieved great things in his own career and I am sure will be greatly missed by all his colleagues, especially those legal executives and trainees he worked with and mentored.
Matt’s passing is a huge loss to all at CILEX who had the pleasure of knowing him. He was, says Phil, “a true gent and a thoroughly decent chap who will be sorely missed.”
He leaves behind his wife Sian, his lifelong partner and best friend.