Matt Ovenden

Matt Ovenden has an extensive work experience in the energy and boating industries. Matt is the CEO and Founder of Borrow A Boat, a leading boat rental marketplace, since November 2016. Matt is also the Group CEO at Barqo since January 2022. In addition, they have served as a Business Mentor at Yachting Ventures since May 2020 and as the Vice Chair of the Access to Boating Committee at British Marine since September 2018. Matt Ovenden has also been an Export Champion at the Department for International Trade (DIT) since October 2019 and a Fellow at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers since September 2014. Matt has held executive positions at other companies, including CEO and Co-Founder of Free Island Energy, a renewable energy developer, from June 2014 to November 2016; CEO and Founder of Bright Green Shoots Ltd, an energy and sustainability company, from July 2009 to November 2016; and Managing Director and Co-Founder of Free Wind Ltd, a joint venture specializing in wind turbine projects, from February 2011 to May 2015. Most recently, they have served as the Group CEO at HELM.yt since June 2021.

Matt Ovenden holds a Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Southampton, which they obtained from 1998 to 2001. Matt also pursued a Master of Science (MSc) degree in Innovation & Design for Sustainability (part-time) from Cranfield University, where they studied from 2009 to 2012.

In addition to their educational background, Matt Ovenden has received two certifications. Matt was elected as a Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers in September 2014. Furthermore, they hold the title of Chartered Engineer, also awarded by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, although specific details regarding the month and year of obtaining this certification are not provided.