Prof Ashton was appointed director of public health for Liverpool City Council in April 2020 in a joint appointment with the University of Liverpool, where he is an honorary professor in the Department of Public Health and Policy.

He leads a team of over 30 people in the local authority, covering a range of public health activities including the commissioning of public health services, health protection, health improvement, health care, public health, embedding health in all policies approaches, public health research and development, and addressing the wider and commercial determinants of health.

Matt is passionate about bringing together the best people and partnerships in the region to improve health and wellbeing and reduce inequalities in the communities we serve.

Matt grew up and went to school in Liverpool, and also studied for his Masters of Public Health at the University of Liverpool.