12 December 2025

Matthew Thompson, Managing Director – Europe, Airsys

Which law would you most like to change?
I would ban the sale of chewing gum. A persistent source of annoyance and irritation of mine is chewing gum and people’s inability to discard it into a rubbish bin, and instead spit it onto the pavement. The discarded chewing gum then lies in wait ready for an unsuspecting pedestrian to step on it and in my experience usually when you are wearing your favourite shoes or trainers. Additionally, discarded chewing gum creates unsightly pavements and footpaths, and I have no doubt is difficult and expensive for local councils and businesses to remove. For the preservation of good footwear and pristine pavements, I advocate the ban of selling chewing gum.

Where would you live if money was no object?
In the words of Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, there is no place like home. I would probably still live in the UK and have a fondness for Devon, the Isle of Wight and the Yorkshire Dales & Moors, but still undecided on exactly where I would live in the UK. In my opinion, nothing beats a beautiful summer’s day in the countryside in the UK.

What did you want to be when you were growing up?
As child, due to my fascination with Indiana Jones, it was to become a renowned archaeologist. That’s until I realised it wasn’t all high adventure and globetrotting. To be honest, I loved history at school, that is until I started GCSE history. It wasn’t so much about the WWII, Viking invasions and the Roman Empire, but more Victorian poor laws and workhouses. That’s how to kill a child’s ambitions.

However, as a child I was also fascinated with design and engineering, which ultimately led me into mechanical engineering and where I am today.

Who was your hero when you were growing up?
If this question allows for fictional heroes, then it would have to be renowned archaeologist Dr Henry Jones Jr AKA Indiana Jones. Growing up in the 80’s, I loved the high adventure and action of the Indiana Jones movies. I wanted to be Indy! He had the brains, the brawn and mostly won the heart of the love interest.

However, he was relatable. He was fallible, as most of us are. He made mistakes, had fears (snakes in the case of Indy) and got bruised, exhausted, and fed up. But no matter how beat he was, Indy always got back to his feet and took on the challenge head on with a dry, sarcastic wit. I admired that and still do to this day. Indiana Jones is the ultimate lovable rogue.

If you could dine with any famous person, past or present, who would you choose?
That is a real tricky one. You’ll be thinking Harrison Ford, because of my love of Indiana Jones. But in truth, I would probably choose Alexander the Great. Educated by Aristotle, Alexander conquered much of the known world in just over a decade. He would have countless stories about his military campaigns and travels across Greece, Egypt and Persia.

What was your big career break?
Working for Airsys: I started working for Airsys in early 2018 and was promoted to Operations Director and then Managing Director towards the end of 2019. It was a great career move.

Airsys remains a privately owned business, led by its founder Yunshui Chen — a visionary and inspiring leader who is genuinely passionate about innovation. I believe Yunshui saw potential in me, and I’m sincerely grateful for the trust he placed in me to lead the European team.

My time with Airsys has allowed me to grow not only as a business leader but also as an individual. It’s an experience that has shaped who I am today, and one for which I am truly thankful.

What’s the greatest technological advancement in your lifetime?
It pains me to say it, but probably Tim Berners Lee inventing the World Wide Web in 1989. Although I have reservations about the internet, it is ultimately a force for good, connecting the world, providing instant access to information (and sadly fake information), enhances communication, allowing for online shopping, learning resources, banking and entertainment to name just a few.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
“Don’t judge everyone by your own standards, you’ll only disappoint yourself.” Once you accept this, both your work and your personal life become easier to navigate.

The Rolling Stones or the Beatles?
A real tough one. Both have a fantastic back catalogue, but as the Airsys UK HQ is in the northwest and I work with numerous Liverpudlians, for a quieter life I best say the Beatles.