The new CEO of the Observatory Improvement District (Obsid) says he is ready to take on his new role and hopes to build good relations with the community.
Matt Tyrrell took over from Amanda Kirk at the start of September. Ms Kirk served as CEO from from April 2018 to August 2023.
Mr Tyrell grew up in Yorkshire, England, and was employed as a mechanical apprentice at one of the biggest power stations in Western Europe. In 2006, he had had enough of the UK weather and moved to South Africa.
He graduated with an MBA from UCT in 2014 and was previously employed in an operations capacity at Generation Schools Imhoff and The Bay Academy in Hout Bay.
From 2009 to 2016, he served as coach and for the committee of Villager Football Club in Claremont and he served as chairman of the club in 2016.
Mr Tyrell says he is excited to serve the community of Observatory and looks forward to working together to make the neighbourhood an inclusive and safe community that celebrates its diversity.
“I look forward to fostering relationships with community members. I’ve always been a fan of the ‘Obs vibe’ and culture. When I arrived in South Africa, I discovered and spent a lot of time in Observatory – I look back at that period with fond memories.”
Homelessness and community-and-economic development are some of the main issues he is looking to address.
“I have inherited a strong team with a good reputation and relationship with the Observatory community. We’re doing our best to make a positive change in Obs.
“Obs is home to wonderful businesses and restaurants. I am excited about the resurgence of thrift stores and improving on economic development.”
The ability to make a difference and create positive change gets him out of bed in the morning, he says, but when he is not at work, he spends time with his daughter or on an adventure.
“I love travelling and hiking, and can proudly say I’ve visited all nine South African provinces. I enjoy watching rugby, and being an Englishman, I support England (but I do have a soft spot for the Springboks). If I could use three words to describe myself, it would be ‘gentle giant’, ‘servant leader’, and ‘doer’.”
