Co-Founder
Co-Founder
Michael Nichols
Michael Nichols
Michael Nichols
Michael Nichols
Business leader and technologist known for his sharp thinking, rapid execution, and ability to turn complex challenges into measurable results.
Business leader and technologist known for his sharp thinking, rapid execution, and ability to turn complex challenges into measurable results.
Overview
Overview
Overview
Overview
Michael Nichols is a business leader and technologist known for his sharp thinking, rapid execution, and ability to turn complex challenges into measurable results. He grew up working in his family’s business and was involved from an early age, learning every aspect of operations first-hand. That early experience shaped his practical understanding of how companies really work and set the foundation for a career defined by pace, precision, and results.
Over nearly two decades at Yorkshire Trading Co., Michael moved from hands-on operational roles to become Chief Technology and E-commerce Officer. He founded and scaled the company’s e-commerce division, transforming it from nothing into a multi-channel business generating around millions in annual revenue. Along the way, he modernised the company’s entire technology stack, implementing enterprise systems, warehouse automation, and a suite of custom digital tools that improved performance across the business.
In 2019, Michael became Chief Executive Officer of The Despatch Company. Since then, he has grown it from a small start-up into a leading fulfilment technology company. His leadership blends commercial instinct with deep technical knowledge. He works at pace, makes clear decisions, and leads by example.
Michael believes in setting a clear direction, executing fast, and measuring everything. He is confident, ambitious, and relentlessly focused on results. For him, success is simple: see the problem, design the solution, and deliver it properly.
Matthew Dunne is a technologist, problem solver, and business leader with more than fifteen years of experience building reliable, scalable technology for complex industries. His career began with a fascination for how things work and has evolved into a lifelong pursuit of making them work better.
From early experiments in electronics and programming to degrees in Web Design and Development and Cyber Security, Matthew has built a reputation for clarity, precision, and practical innovation. His work blends engineering discipline with commercial understanding, turning complex systems into simple, dependable solutions.
As founder of The Despatch Company, he has transformed fulfilment technology across the United Kingdom and Europe, creating an ecosystem that now processes hundreds of millions of shipments each year and underpins billions in trade. His leadership combines hands-on technical expertise with a clear sense of purpose, building teams and systems that thrive on simplicity, accountability, and measurable results.
Matthew is a professional member of the British Computer Society (MBCS), a volunteer Cyber Ambassador for North Yorkshire Police, and has lectured in computing and digital media at the University of Hull. In 2025, he was named in The Times’ LDC Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leaders – One to Watch.
He describes himself simply as a problem solver who uses technology as a tool. His philosophy is clear: understand the problem, fix it properly, and make it work. The tools have changed, but the principle remains the same — build what should exist, build it responsibly, and build it to last.
Matthew Dunne is a technologist, problem solver, and business leader with more than fifteen years of experience building reliable, scalable technology for complex industries. His career began with a fascination for how things work and has evolved into a lifelong pursuit of making them work better.
From early experiments in electronics and programming to degrees in Web Design and Development and Cyber Security, Matthew has built a reputation for clarity, precision, and practical innovation. His work blends engineering discipline with commercial understanding, turning complex systems into simple, dependable solutions.
As founder of The Despatch Company, he has transformed fulfilment technology across the United Kingdom and Europe, creating an ecosystem that now processes hundreds of millions of shipments each year and underpins billions in trade. His leadership combines hands-on technical expertise with a clear sense of purpose, building teams and systems that thrive on simplicity, accountability, and measurable results.
Matthew is a professional member of the British Computer Society (MBCS), a volunteer Cyber Ambassador for North Yorkshire Police, and has lectured in computing and digital media at the University of Hull. In 2025, he was named in The Times’ LDC Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leaders – One to Watch.
He describes himself simply as a problem solver who uses technology as a tool. His philosophy is clear: understand the problem, fix it properly, and make it work. The tools have changed, but the principle remains the same — build what should exist, build it responsibly, and build it to last.
A few words
from michael
A few words
from michael
‘’Direction matters. Doing matters more. Everything else is noise.’
‘’Direction matters. Doing matters more. Everything else
is noise.’
I grew up in a family business and left school at sixteen to work across operations, logistics, and finance. That gave me a bias for speed, simplicity, and reliability. I built our e-commerce division from zero to millions in annual revenue and connected ERP, WMS, and online channels for real-time control ship faster, fail less.
When fulfilment at scale outgrew Linnworks, I met Matthew Dunne. His platform solved what others didn’t clearly and reliably. After adopting it at Yorkshire Trading, I joined to help scale what is now The Despatch Company.
Today I lead TDC with a focus on structure, scale, and delivery. I stay close to product and the commercial engine, set clear goals, move quickly, and expect accountability. The aim is constant: measurable value for customers, a platform that keeps improving, and execution over theory. See the problem. Design the solution. Deliver it properly.
I grew up in a family business and left school at sixteen to work across operations, logistics, and finance. That gave me a bias for speed, simplicity, and reliability. I built our e-commerce division from zero to millions in annual revenue and connected ERP, WMS, and online channels for real-time control ship faster, fail less.
When fulfilment at scale outgrew Linnworks, I met Matthew Dunne. His platform solved what others didn’t clearly and reliably. After adopting it at Yorkshire Trading, I joined to help scale what is now The Despatch Company.
Today I lead TDC with a focus on structure, scale, and delivery. I stay close to product and the commercial engine, set clear goals, move quickly, and expect accountability. The aim is constant: measurable value for customers, a platform that keeps improving, and execution over theory. See the problem. Design the solution. Deliver it properly.
Michael at Home
Michael at Home
Life outside of work is busy and full of energy. I have three young children, each with their own packed schedule of clubs, sports, and activities. Weekends are spent running between rugby, gymnastics, and everything in between, but I would not have it any other way. Family life keeps me moving and reminds me why I do what I do.
I love exploring new places, and my curiosity tends to follow me everywhere. Before I travel or buy anything, I dive into the details and work out what’s genuinely the best option. Vacuum cleaners, toasters, cars… I like understanding how things work and making the right call.
Outside of work, life revolves around family, curiosity, and the occasional bit of tinkering. I have two children, Evie and Atlas, with a generous age gap between them. They keep life balanced and remind me what all the hard work is really for.
I have always enjoyed improving things and understanding how they work. At home that usually means small projects, electrical upgrades, or experimenting with new gadgets. I get a lot of satisfaction from taking something ordinary and making it better. A fun fact about me is that I am a bit of a fan of ham radios. I find the idea of direct off-grid communication and the ecosystems that exist around it fascinating.
Outside of work, life revolves around family, curiosity, and the occasional bit of tinkering. I have two children, Evie and Atlas, with a generous age gap between them. They keep life balanced and remind me what all the hard work is really for.
I have always enjoyed improving things and understanding how they work. At home that usually means small projects, electrical upgrades, or experimenting with new gadgets. I get a lot of satisfaction from taking something ordinary and making it better. A fun fact about me is that I am a bit of a fan of ham radios. I find the idea of direct off-grid communication and the ecosystems that exist around it fascinating.
I can get a bit obsessive about the finer points, which leaves me with these oddly deep pockets of knowledge. Hopeless in a pub quiz, but brilliant if the conversation suddenly veers into one of my specialist trenches.
I’m also terrible at doing nothing. Rest isn’t really my default setting—I’m far happier with a practical task to get stuck into than sitting still pretending to relax.
I keep a close eye on new technology and what is coming next. I am always testing new apps, exploring trends, and seeing how ideas evolve. It is part hobby, part addiction. I like being ahead of the curve.
I can get a bit obsessive about the finer points, which leaves me with these oddly deep pockets of knowledge. Hopeless in a pub quiz, but brilliant if the conversation suddenly veers into one of my specialist trenches.
I’m also terrible at doing nothing. Rest isn’t really my default setting—I’m far happier with a practical task to get stuck into than sitting still pretending to relax.
I keep a close eye on new technology and what is coming next. I am always testing new apps, exploring trends, and seeing how ideas evolve. It is part hobby, part addiction. I like being ahead of the curve.
I can get a bit obsessive about the finer points, which leaves me with these oddly deep pockets of knowledge. Hopeless in a pub quiz, but brilliant if the conversation suddenly veers into one of my specialist trenches.
I’m also terrible at doing nothing. Rest isn’t really my default setting—I’m far happier with a practical task to get stuck into than sitting still pretending to relax.
I keep a close eye on new technology and what is coming next. I am always testing new apps, exploring trends, and seeing how ideas evolve. It is part hobby, part addiction. I like being ahead of the curve.