Matthew Richards (born 17 December 2002) is a British swimmer specialising in 100 and 200 metre freestyle, active internationally from 2020.

In July 2023, Richards again held off Dean as well as defending World champion David Popovici to win the gold medal in the 2023 World Championships, before following up with gold in the men's 4 x 200 metre freestyle relay and bronze in the mixed 4 x 100 metre freestyle relay.

At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, he was in the men's 4 × 200 metre freestyle relay together with James Guy, Duncan Scott, and Tom Dean.

[15] In the Men's 4 × 200 metre freestyle relay, the same four quartet of British swimmers who won in the same event at the Tokyo Olympics, James Guy, Duncan Scott, Tom Dean and Richards contested in the final.

[17] Richards was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2022 New Year Honours for services to swimming.