Mr. Matthew Hunt BA (Hons). LLM.
Chair of Trustees and Specialist in Charity Law
Matt is a Legal Director at a leading law firm in London. He began his academic journey studying English Literature at the University of Southampton before pursuing a career in law, earning an LLM with distinction. Matt has since gained broad legal experience across several firms, with a specialist focus on group litigation, environmental law, and access to justice.
Throughout his career, Matt has led teams delivering pro bono legal representation in areas such as social security, employment, and community care law. He also has significant experience in facilitating legal advice for small not-for-profit organisations.
In 2018, Matt was appointed Head of Not-For-Profits at LawWorks—a charity operating across England and Wales that connects volunteer lawyers with individuals and community groups in need of legal support but who are not eligible for legal aid.
As Chair of Trustees at OCEAN, Matt brings a deep commitment to ethical legal practice and a wealth of expertise in charity and social justice law to help drive forward OCEAN’s mission and impact.
Dr. Thomas Bloomfield MA (Oxon). MBBS. FRCA. FFPMRCA.
Specialist in Anaesthetics
Tom is a Consultant in Pain Medicine and Anaesthetics at Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. He trained at the University of Oxford and Guy’s, King’s & St Thomas’ Medical School, graduating with first-class honours in Medical Sciences and distinction in Clinical Medicine. He is a Fellow of both the Faculty of Pain Medicine and the Royal College of Anaesthetists, and a member of the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP).
Tom is dedicated to improving patient care through innovation, service development, and sustainable healthcare practices. With a broad skill set and a holistic understanding of the patient journey, he works across multiple areas of healthcare delivery to drive meaningful, compassionate change. He has led and contributed to a wide range of projects focused on streamlining care pathways, enhancing resource efficiency, and embedding new technologies into clinical practice.
As a trustee of OCEAN, Tom is committed to collaborating with partners in Nepal and other LMICs to create practical, long-term solutions that strengthen both patient care and health system resilience.
Dr. Ben Short BSc (Hons). MBCHB. PGCert (med ed). FRCEM.
Specialist in Emergency Medicine
Ben is a Consultant in Emergency Medicine at Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust. Before studying medicine, he worked in microbiology, focusing on the evolution of antibiotic resistance in bacteria. He later pursued graduate-entry medicine, ultimately choosing Emergency Medicine for its constant challenge, fast pace, and clinical variety.
Ben has a longstanding interest in medical education, training, and quality improvement. He holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Medical Education and has led the development of numerous clinical guidelines and service improvement initiatives across departments at Portsmouth Hospitals. In addition, he has played a key role in training Resident Doctors across the Wessex region in quality improvement methodologies.
As a trustee of OCEAN, Ben brings a wealth of experience in clinical governance, education, and systems improvement. He is passionate about applying these skills to support and shape sustainable global health projects in partnership with colleagues overseas.
Mr. James Hutton BA (Hons). ACA.
Chartered Accountant and Financial Specialist
James is a Chartered Accountant specialising in financial reporting, planning, and governance. He studied Business Management with Accounting and Finance at Nottingham Trent University, graduating with first-class honours before training as an auditor at BDO in London where he qualified as an ACA under the ICAEW in 2024.
Throughout his career, James has gained diverse experience across audit, financial analysis, and the charity sector. At BDO, he audited major organisations developing expertise in financial controls and regulatory compliance. He later worked as a Financial Analyst in the City of London and has provided financial planning and forecasting support to early-stage technology companies, helping them secure funding and establish robust financial frameworks.
James also has meaningful experience in the charity sector, having worked as a logistics analyst for a food rescue organisation that redistributed surplus food to vulnerable communities including homeless individuals, abuse victims, and children in need. This role gave him first-hand insight into the operational and financial challenges facing charitable organisations.
As a trustee of OCEAN, James brings essential financial oversight and governance expertise to complement the clinical knowledge of his fellow trustees. Inspired by his sister's work in Nepal and driven by a commitment to making meaningful change in underserved communities, he is dedicated to ensuring OCEAN's resources are managed responsibly and used effectively to maximise impact in low- and middle-income countries.