Matthew Gould Keynote Speaker

Matthew Gould is currently CEO of the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), a conservation charity overseeing London and Whipsnade Zoos, a global network of conservation projects, and the scientific Institute of Zoology. His leadership reflects a deep commitment to addressing the biodiversity crisis, emphasizing that “saving species is not a luxury; it is critical to humanity’s own health and survival.”​

Prior to joining ZSL, Matthew served as CEO of NHSX, where he led the digital transformation of health and care in England. His team developed the NHS Datastore, enabling real-time data management during the pandemic, and built the award-winning NHS Covid Pass, providing vital solutions during a period of intense pressure on healthcare.

Earlier in his career, Matthew was the Government’s first Director General for Digital and Media at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) and served as Britain’s cyber security director. Appointed Britain’s Ambassador to Israel, he forged extensive international partnerships on regenerative medicine and led a cutting-edge tech alliance. He also held postings in Tehran, Islamabad, Washington, and Manila, taught in Zimbabwe, and carried out ecological research in Tanzania—publishing findings on termite feeding preferences. ​

Matthew is a Visiting Professor at Leeds University and holds an Honorary Doctorate from Ben Gurion University. Among his many honors, he was awarded a CMG for services to the scientific and tech partnership between Britain and Israel, and an MBE for his work on child protection in the Philippines.