Matthew McGrath | Official Profile on The Marque

Matthew McGrath’s Biography

Matthew L. McGrath founded Emissary Partners in 2018 and has built the business to become a trusted advisor to prominent global family offices on their legacy asset issues, as well as to financial sponsors in special situations, credit and litigation funding. Serving as chief executive of the firm, Matthew advises leading family offices from the United States, United Kingdom, Europe, the GCC and Singapore.

Matt also serves as a Senior Advisor at Arena, a global advisory firm that builds and protects client reputation.

Prior to starting Emissary Partners, Matthew was an executive at Albright Stonebridge Group (ASG), a global commercial diplomacy firm founded by former U.S. Secretary of State, the late Madeleine Albright. During his nine-year tenure at ASG, Matthew held several leadership roles at a young age, including Chief of Staff to the Managing Principal, Co-Founder of the Firm’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Practice, and Head of Business Development for South Asia. At ASG, he advised clients on emerging-market business issues in over 40 different countries.

Matthew... Matthew L. McGrath founded Emissary Partners in 2018 and has built the business to become a trusted advisor to prominent global family offices on their legacy asset issues, as well as to financial sponsors in special situations, credit and litigation funding. Serving as chief executive of the firm, Matthew advises leading family offices from the United States, United Kingdom, Europe, the GCC and Singapore.

Matt also serves as a Senior Advisor at Arena, a global advisory firm that builds and protects client reputation.

Prior to starting Emissary Partners, Matthew was an executive at Albright Stonebridge Group (ASG), a global commercial diplomacy firm founded by former U.S. Secretary of State, the late Madeleine Albright. During his nine-year tenure at ASG, Matthew held several leadership roles at a young age, including Chief of Staff to the Managing Principal, Co-Founder of the Firm’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Practice, and Head of Business Development for South Asia. At ASG, he advised clients on emerging-market business issues in over 40 different countries.

Matthew began his career in politics, working in the National Security and Advance offices of then-Vice President Joseph R. Biden at the White House. He also worked at the U.S. State Department, the Democratic National Committee, the European Parliament, and the Office of the Governor of Massachusetts.

Matthew holds a BA in Political Science from Vanderbilt University and an MBA from Oxford Saïd Business School, where he lectures on global and non-market strategies. He serves as Vice Chairman of the Pamela Harriman Foreign Service Fellowships, Trustee of the International Churchill Society, Co-Chair of the Young Churchillians (ICS), and as a member of the Milken Institute’s Young Leaders Circle. READ MORE VIEW LESS

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Matthew McGrath’s Background

Emissary Partners

Founder & Managing Director

Sep 2018 - Present

London, UK

Emissary Partners is a global special situations firm for family offices, focused on assisting investors with their legacy positions, typically comprising five percent of family office assets under management. Using a unique “Five Lenses” methodology, Emissary Partners helps its clients exit legacy investments, optimize financial returns, and protect their reputations.

Albright Stonebridge Group

Director, Advisor

Jul 2010 - Jul 2019

Washington, DC, USA

Albright Stonebridge Group, part of Dentons Global Advisors, is a strategic advisory firm specialising in diplomacy, business, and policy solutions, helping clients navigate complex challenges and opportunities in the international arena. The firm was founded by the late former U.S. Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright, and the late former U.S. National Security Advisor, Sandy Berger.

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Current Advisory Roles

Arena

Senior Advisor

Aug 2024 - Present

London, UK

Arena is a global advisory firm founded in 2021 by J. Peter Donald, a respected public relations expert based in New York. The firm specialises in building and protecting reputations across finance, technology, and other sectors. Arena provides strategic communication services including managing complex announcements, and guiding clients through crises or other significant events.

International Churchill Society

UK Board of Trustees; Co-Chairman of the Young Churchillians

Apr 2024 - Present

London, UK

The International Churchill Society promotes awareness of Winston Churchill's leadership, legacy, and contributions to history through educational programmes, publications, and research.

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Interviews

Family offices, legacy assets and risk exposures

Mar 2023

Matt McGrath spoke to Family Capital about Emissary Partners' approach to helping family offices manage and exit their legacy assets.

What is the investment value of a dispute?

Nov 2021

Stockholm, SE

Matt McGrath was asked by the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce Arbitration Institute how their dispute resolution tool can benefit the business community.

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Publications

Emissary Insights: What Does it Take to Handle your Legacy Asset Issues?

Author

Oct 2023

Emissary Insights: The Fundamentals of Family Office Legacy Assets

Author

Mar 2023

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Memberships

Milken Institute Young Leaders Circle

Member

Feb 2017 - Present

Santa Monica, US

The Milken Institute Young Leaders Circle is a dynamic and influential network of emerging leaders dedicated to fostering innovation, driving economic growth, and creating positive social impact. Comprised of talented professionals from diverse sectors and backgrounds, this exclusive group engages in collaborative initiatives, knowledge-sharing, and meaningful networking opportunities.

Academic Appointments

Saïd Business School, University of Oxford

Guest Lecturer

Oxford, UK

Saïd Business School, located at the University of Oxford, is a prestigious institution known for its world-class business education and research. It offers a range of programmes, including MBA, executive education, and doctoral programmes, and fosters a vibrant community of scholars, students, and practitioners. Matthew lectures on "Non-market Strategy for Investment Disputes".

Queen Mary University of London

Guest Lecturer

London, UK

Queen Mary University London is a prestigious institution known for its excellence in research and teaching. It offers a diverse range of academic programmes and a vibrant campus in the heart of London. Matthew lectures on "Global Public Affairs Advocacy".