Matt Cook

2019 - company launch

2020 - developed best in-class OCR technology (currently used by the largest private parking management company in the UK, achieving approx a 2% higher match rates than any other supplier that they have used).

2020 - developed a patent pending methodology of identifying the user(s) in a vehicle, using the licence plate, enabling automatic payment for high ticket items/tangible goods (e.g. fuel and drive-thru), at scale. The solution solved a significant problem, by preventing the wrong user being billed for the transaction due to a misread licence plate. The same methodology can be applied to face recognition, the result is that we can identify people from a greater distance, more quickly and without needing to see the person’s entire face. Current uses of face recognition have next to no tolerance for false positives (identifying one user as another user). Our methodology is designed to produce the same results from a greater distance and in less time.

2021 - Using proprietary computer vision, developed a platform that identifies personas of Instagram users, using images alone, meaning that we could recruit private/basic account holders as influencers for brands (80% of all Instagram users). The technology was designed for the recruitment of influencers at scale, with a view to running viral campaigns and offering brands authentic user generated content with higher levels of engagement and authenticity, at scale than a similar spend with macro-influencers.

2022/23 - Developed product ID technology, using elements of the social media CV development + logo recognition and OCR to identify products using AR headsets and mobile devices with cameras. We aim to be able to accurately identify a product visually, from distance to replicate the same accuracy as a barcode scanner.

Continued to support Newpark Solutions following my role as Managing Director, generated close to £300,000 of new business by way of introductions/recruitment of a lead generation specialist. In 2023 Trust App Ltd acquired Newpark Solutions.

Responsible for creating and implementing a strategic plan for growth.

After losing our market USP due to competitors launching similar products, developed a B2B off-street online parking payment platform (web app only), Glide Parking. Gained funding from MasterCard to develop the Glide Parking app, in return for using their new product at the time (Masterpass). We gained close to 100,000 users across a number of months by offering discounts to users parking in our car parks, with CAC consistently between £2-£3. Glide was the 2nd highest transaction driver in the UK for Masterpass, outperforming merchants like Wagamama, & Lastminute.com. Glide became a key component for embedding the new payment method into the everyday behaviours of consumers. Subsequently we regained a new market USP in 2016, with the app version adding another defensive moat in 2017. The company more than doubled it's turnover from £1.28m in 2015-2016 to over £3m in 2016-2017.

Optimised the company operations for rapid ARR growth, compounding each year with high levels of contract retention. Hired and trained a new sales team, agreed and set targets and KPIs, subsequently increasing ARR year on year in addition to new equipment sales. A notable win was the tender for Hampshire Country Parks, worth over £1m across a number of car parks. Annual turnover was over £5m 2018-2019, including significant ARRs.

Responsible for all new revenue throughout the UK, with a budget to recruit an extra sales person.

Won the UK national parking framework - Forestry Commission - exclusive access to supply pay on foot parking solutions to the Forestry Commission.

Created one of the first fully automated online payment solutions using a licence plate alone, originally we ran the proof of concept at Surrey Heath Borough Council car parks, with a white labelled solution. Following some initial teething problems/learnings, we launched Glide Parking as our first B2C brand. This was an extension to the Fusion System and meant that users no longer needed to pay at the pay stations, reducing the requirement for hardware, making the car park more user friendly, more accessible and inclusive for all drivers.

Responsible for all new revenue generation throughout the UK, as an individual.

Created the UK’s first ticketless pay on foot solution, using ANPR cameras to control access and take payment within off-street car parks. Since the launch in 2012, the Fusion system has collected £millions in parking revenue for Newpark’s clients. Clients adopted the Fusion system to improve user experience, benefit the environment (via reduced idling and paper usage), and improve accessibility for all drivers.

Following a year of competing as a full-time Triathlete, I became a personal trainer, working for Village Urban Resorts in Cardiff. I trained a news presenter from BBC Wales for 6 months.