[1] Matthew Wells was born in Bradford and grew up in Hexham, where he learnt to row on the River Tyne as a pupil at Queen Elizabeth High School.

In 2000, he took gold in the Single sculls at the World Under 23 Rowing Championships, then represented Great Britain at the 2000 Summer Olympics, finishing in ninth place.

In 2003, Wells came fifth in the World Rowing Championships in Milan in the men's Double sculls with Ian Lawson.

Wells then returned to the Double sculls, claiming bronze at the 2006 World Championships held at Dorney Lake, Eton, UK,[3] but finished fourth in 2007.

In September 2019 he took up the post of Head of Physical Education Faculty at Kings of Wessex Academy, Cheddar.