Dr. Matthew Bell is the Chairman of the World Green Building Council Board, bringing more than two decades of global experience in sustainability, climate strategy, and transformation across the public and private sectors. He also contributes his expertise as a committee member of the ICC’s Sustainability Advisory Council and the ACCA’s Global Sustainability Forum.
Matthew is Group CEO of Anthesis Group, which he joined in December 2025 to lead the next phase of growth for the one of the world’s leading specialist sustainability advisory and solutions organisations. In this role, he oversees multidisciplinary teams working with corporates, governments, and financial institutions to accelerate progress on climate, nature, and social equity.
With over 20 years in sustainability, Matthew has held leadership roles spanning Europe and the Asia–Pacific region and is now based in the UK. He specialises in climate policy, strategy, and corporate sustainability. Prior to joining Anthesis, he led EY’s Global Climate Change and Sustainability Services practice – a multi‑thousand‑strong global team focused on climate, ESG, and Environment, Health & Safety advisory – and played a central role in scaling the firm’s sustainability capabilities worldwide.
Before EY, Matthew headed the UK Government’s programme office for major climate and energy policies, shaping national responses to emerging climate challenges. Earlier in his career, he worked as a research scientist, grounding his leadership approach in analytical rigour and scientific evidence.
Matthew has worked extensively across sectors and geographies, with a strong track record in the real estate and REIT sectors. He has supported numerous companies and governments in embedding sustainability in the built environment and previously assisted the Australian Green Building Council in redefining its strategy to focus on advocacy and emerging sustainability priorities.
His experience working closely with organisations across markets where Green Building Councils operate gives him deep insight into evolving stakeholder expectations – from investors and regulators to communities and financial institutions. This global perspective enables him to support WorldGBC in anticipating the sustainability trends, risks, and opportunities that will shape the future of the built environment, including emerging areas such as biodiversity, nature‑related disclosures, and the intersection of climate and social impact.
Drawing upon his long-standing focus on ESG, corporate governance, and sustainable finance, Matthew brings a clear view on where capital is being deployed, how market expectations are shifting, and what frameworks and standards are defining the global sustainability landscape. His expertise helps WorldGBC identify the strategic pathways and partnerships needed to advance its mission and accelerate the transition to a net‑zero, regenerative built environment.
Biographical information is provided by the individual and has not been independently verified.
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