Matt Nickels is originally from Brighton, where his parents owned a stained glass business. He had always enjoyed art and photography but never intended to pursue that as a career, so he went on to study International Relations and Development in Manchester.

Matt graduated with a BA from the University of Manchester in 2006, and has since specialised in stained glass. He later felt it was important to obtain an academic qualification in stained glass, and went to the University of York in 2016 to complete his MA in Stained Glass Conservation and Heritage Management, which involved a placement at York Glaziers Trust. He joined York Glaziers Trust in 2019 after completing his MA.

After beginning at his parents’ stained glass business, Matt moved on to working freelance, then joined York Glaziers Trust, the stained glass studio connected to York Minster Cathedral. His major projects have included York Minster Cathedral, Lincoln’s Inn, the Houses of Parliament, Oxford University, Coventry Cathedral, Tudor mansions, and the House of Lords.

Matt is a stained glass craftsman from Brighton and has been appearing on The Repair Shop, alongside the likes of Jay Blades, Will Kirk and Suzie Fletcher, since 2018. His personal life remains largely private; he appears to keep his cards close to his chest in terms of his relationship status and family details.