I don’t think it’ll surprise anyone to know I’ve been dreading this bit. A lot of this editorial has been written in parts over the last few weeks and it’s the final piece I’m finishing for this issue, but it’s been in my head for a lot longer. I’m going to take you on a journey through my amazing four years at Concrete, thanking some of the people that have made them so special.

Firstly I’d like to thank Nerisse, the first editor I wrote for. Such was the nature of the times that we never met in person, but she helped build my confidence through her trust in my writing, and also very helpfully shared my love of Lucy Worsley!

Moving into my second year, I’d like to thank my lovely Online team Rianna and Ray. Thanks too to Freyja, whose advice massively shaped my approach to leadership and Concrete as a society, and Dolly, who I feel I owe so much to – if it wasn’t for her support, encouragement and belief I wouldn’t have gone for a Concrete senior editor role, and it hardly bears thinking about how different the last two years would have been.

Briefly touching on last year, I want to thank my first senior team, Libby, Badriya and Louise, who got a whole editorial dedicated to their greatness – just know it all remains true. A special shoutout to Louise and George too for helping make some of my best Concrete memories on A Week in Concrete and continuing to be so supportive since.

Now we’re up to date and I owe such a massive thank you to our incredible editorial team! Eve and I often say how lucky we were to get you all, and that couldn’t be more true. You have made layup weeks an absolute joy (and occasionally brilliantly mad – shoutout to Molly and Sofia!), you’re all ridiculously talented and I’m so proud to have been your Co-EiC and grateful to have so many of you as friends.

I so wish I had the space to name you all, but I would like to say a specific thank you to Eleanor and Fiona – one of my main aims coming into this role was to transform Features and Home of the Wonderful, and you’ve both achieved that and taken it well beyond my expectations, whilst always buying into my (slightly history-obsessed!) vision for the paper and being so personally supportive. I’d also like to say thank you to our Venue Co-Editors Millie and Tee – Venue never fails to impress me and you should be so proud of what you’ve produced.

I’d also love to thank our radio counterparts, the amazing Livewire committee who it’s been a joy to share the Media Office with this year – with particular shoutouts to George who has been a transformative and joyous Station Manager, and Alfie who I met on move-in day almost four years ago, and has been a joy to share the status of ‘person who may as well live in the Office’ with!

Now Eve, I said to you on the day we got this role that I was glad it was with you and I was so right to be. We may not like the same fonts, but we do both like Olivia Rodrigo so I think that more than makes up for it! You’re such a talented, dedicated, caring and genuinely lovely person and I’ve adored sharing this crazy journey with you. The team loves you and you’ve become such a good friend to me. It has been an honour to support you, and I’m beyond grateful for the support you’ve given me, and so unbelievably proud of you and everything we’ve achieved together.  

So this is it – after two years of writing these I’ve reached the end. This has always been one of my favourite bits of the role and it’s been a joy to talk to you every month. We’ve shared personal highs and lows, anger at the world and massive successes and every word (well, almost!) has been a pleasure to write. I leave Concrete how I always wanted it to be – a place that champions the arts and humanities, delivers a kind and sensitive vision of journalism and nurtures talent, but most importantly a place of genuine friendship.

With all my love

Matthew x

Image: Concrete/Alfie Green