Manchester-based Vivify has appointed Mathew Lloyd as director of product as the company continues to invest in technology that helps schools maximise the value of their facilities and makes it easier for local communities to access sport and physical activity.
Lloyd joins Vivify from JustGiving, where as senior product manager he helped shape digital products used by millions of people to support charities and causes around the world. His experience in building intuitive, customer-focused digital experiences will now be applied to one of education’s biggest overlooked opportunities – helping schools unlock greater community use of their facilities.
As director of product, Lloyd will lead the evolution of Vivify’s technology platform, working closely with customers, schools and internal teams to simplify every stage of the booking journey while creating new opportunities for schools to increase participation, generate additional income and reduce administrative burden.
The appointment reflects Vivify’s continued investment in technology as it supports schools and academy trusts across the UK to unlock the full potential of their facilities beyond the school day.
Russell Teale, founder and CEO of Vivify, said: “Mathew brings an exceptional combination of product leadership, technical expertise and customer empathy. Throughout the recruitment process it became clear that he not only understands how to build outstanding digital products, but also genuinely believes technology should solve real-world problems.
“Every improvement we make to our platform helps schools earn more income, gives customers a better experience and removes friction for our teams. Product is central to achieving our mission, and Mathew is the ideal person to lead that next chapter. We’re thrilled to welcome him to Vivify.”
Lloyd added: “What attracted me to Vivify was the opportunity to build products that have a tangible social impact. Schools are some of the most valuable community assets we have, and technology has a huge role to play in making them more accessible outside the school day.
“The team has already built a fantastic platform and an incredibly strong reputation with schools. I’m excited to work alongside colleagues across the business to create even better experiences for schools, hirers and the communities they serve.”
