Matthew Newbury

Matthew Newbury

Newbury outside one of his building sites
Born (1981-05-22) 22 May 1981
Norwich, England
Occupation Property developer, investor, theatre producer
Net worth £9 million[1]

Matthew Newbury (born 22 May 1981) is a London-based property developer who, in 2011, was the first person in Britain to be fitted with a bionic leg.[2] Newbury's business interests include theatre production.[3]

Early life

At a young age Newbury was working as a volunteer at the Norwich Playhouse, as well as spending the weekends travelling back and forth to London.[4] He wanted to work in technical theatre, specifically in the West End.[5]

In 1997, whilst travelling back from London he was involved in a serious road traffic accident in which he lost his left leg above the knee.[6] He spent 18 months in various hospitals recovering.[7] He moved to London in 2001 to work in professional theatre in the West End.[4]

In 2003, Newbury received £2.1m as compensation for his injuries, plus a further award to provide for his accommodation needs.[8]

Business interests

Newbury set up a home building company, Newbury Developments and one of its projects was the construction of housing in Newbury's home town of Norwich.[9] Newbury's other businesses include a theatre production company.

He is featured in the Sunday Times Rich List 2012 (60 Richest Young People) with a net worth of £9 million.[10]

Bionic leg

In 2011, Newbury was the first person in the UK to be fitted with a groundbreaking new bionic prosthetic leg, Genium.[11][12][13] It is claimed the leg cost him around £50,000.[14] The leg allowed Newbury to ride a bicycle, ski and climb the stairs normally.[15] The leg's technology led to Newbury being labelled the UK's first bionic man.[16]

The Secret Millionaire

In 2012 Newbury took part in a Channel 4 documentary programme, The Secret Millionaire. He focused mainly upon charities working with individuals with disabilities.[17]

References

  1. "Norfolk-born property developer's dramatic career change". Eastern Daily Press. 14 September 2011.
  2. "Amputee is first Brit to be fitted with new bionic leg". The Daily Telegraph. 9 November 2011.
  3. "Career Change: Financial Planner and a Millionaire Property Developer". Career Change Journal. 15 September 2011.
  4. 1 2 "Technician awarded £2.1m to compensate for lost leg". The Stage News. 10 February 2004.
  5. "Revolutionary new bionic leg for amputee Matthew". The Press and Journal. 10 November 2011.
  6. "The bionic leg that gave my life a lift: Amputee fitted with limb that lets him cycle, walk backwards and even go skiing". The Daily Mail. 10 November 2011.
  7. "Bionic leg for road crash amputee". The Press Association. 9 November 2011.
  8. "Property developer pioneers bionic leg". The Guardian. 9 November 2011.
  9. "A new build". Small Business. 26 July 2011.
  10. "The Sunday Times Rich List 2012". The Sunday Times. 29 April 2012. (#29 of 60)
  11. "Matthew Newbury First UK Patient with Latest Bionic Leg Prosthetic System". Top News, New Zealand. 10 November 2011.
  12. "Amputee becomes first person to be fitted with bionic leg". The Metro. 9 November 2011.
  13. "One Small Step for Man, One Giant Leap for the Future of Prosthetics". iStock Analyst. 9 November 2011.
  14. "Bionic leg for road crash amputee". MSN News. 9 November 2011.
  15. "First UK clinic to fit the new Genium Knee". Proactive Prosthetics. 9 November 2011.
  16. "Londoner becomes UK's first real 'bionic man'". London24. 10 November 2011.
  17. http://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-secret-millionaire/video/series-15/episode-1/matthew-newbury
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