Mr Matthew Vella was born in 1989. He studied at the University of Malta where he was awarded a Bachelor of Honours in Social Work, followed by a Master's qualification in Family Studies. His areas of specialisation include social planning and auditing, community development and services, regulations, and policy development.

Mr Vella began his career within the Public Service as a social worker in Children Services. He later served as Director of Corporate Services in the Ministry for Economy, Investment, and Small Businesses from 2015. In 2018, he was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Social Care Standards Authority, where he oversaw significant initiatives and reforms.

Other contributions within the Public Service include the establishment of the Social Regulatory Standards for Social Welfare Services and the Strategic Vision 2020-2027: Striving for Excellence: Driving Social Innovation through Regulation.

In December 2020, Mr Vella was appointed Permanent Secretary at the Ministry for Senior Citizens and Active Ageing and the Ministry for Inclusion and Social Wellbeing. In December 2021, the latter was redesignated as the Ministry for Inclusion, Social Wellbeing, and Voluntary Organisations. In January 2022, Mr Vella was appointed Permanent Secretary at the Ministry for Education and Sports, and in April 2022, he assumed the role of Permanent Secretary at the Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, and Research and Innovation.

As part of his tenure in the education sector, Mr Vella has played a pivotal role in the development and implementation of the National Education Strategy, underscoring his commitment to fostering a forward-looking and inclusive education system. Mr Vella has supported the incorporation of Strategic Foresight in shaping sustainable educational policies and facilitated the establishment of a dedicated directorate within the ministry to promote long-term planning and innovation. Additionally, he has overseen efforts to modernise educational facilities through the Edu Infrastructure Programme, ensuring they meet the evolving needs of the sector.