Matthew William Barrett

Matthew William Barrett

Doctor of Commerce

Born in Kells, County Meath, Ireland, Matthew Barrett was eighteen when he joined the Bank of Montreal as a clerk in London in 1962. He transferred to Canada in 1967, and rose rapidly through sixteen positions, each more senior than the last, entering the executive ranks in 1978 as Vice-President Management Services. After a series of moves through different departments of the bank, he took charge of its retail branch operations in 1985, and in 1987 was elected President and Chief Operating Officer. He became Chief Executive Officer in 1989, and was elected Chairman of the Board of Directors in 1990, becoming at 45, one of the youngest senior banking executives in the world. Matthew Barrett sits on a number of boards and advisor committees, including those of the Business Council on National Issues and York University.