Independent Investigation Service

Fair. Thorough. Professional. Independent

When serious concerns arise - whether allegations of misconduct, staff grievances, external complaints, or whistleblowing disclosures - organisations need more than process compliance. They need confidence that the facts will be established impartially, with dignity and professionalism for everyone involved.

At Mastery | Clarity | Wisdom, we provide independent investigation services to schools, trusts, charities and other not-for-profit organisations. Our investigations are conducted with the calm assurance that comes from two decades of leadership and governance experience in complex educational and charitable settings.

Our Approach

We combine procedural rigour with a human touch. Every investigation is:

Independent: free from organisational bias or internal influence.

Fair: ensuring all parties are treated with respect and given a proper opportunity to be heard.

Evidence-based: rooted in clear documentation, structured interviews, and well-reasoned findings.

Timely: aligned with the tight deadlines often mandated by policy frameworks.

Proportionate: focused on establishing facts, not creating drama.

Our goal is always to provide clarity and to restore confidence; whether that means clarifying what happened, identifying lessons learned, or helping boards and HR teams navigate next steps.

Areas of Work

We undertake investigations into:

Staff disciplinary matters and allegations of misconduct
Workplace grievances, including bullying, harassment and conflict between colleagues
Whistleblowing disclosures and protected disclosures
Complaints about organisational culture, leadership behaviour or governance standards
External complaints made by parents, pupils, clients or stakeholders
Fact-finding assignments commissioned by boards, Members, or regulators

About the Investigator

Matthew Clements-Wheeler leads our investigations work.

With over 20 years’ experience in education and not-for-profit leadership, Matthew has served as School Business Manager, CFOO, and Deputy Headteacher. He is a qualified Clerk to Governors, Professional Associate of the Chartered College of Teaching, a former associate member of the CIPD, and an NCSL-trained coach.

He has chaired the ISBL Fellowship Assessment Panel and supported boards through some of the most challenging cases a governing body can face, including investigations involving C-suite leaders and complex governance dynamics.

Clients value Matthew’s professionalism, composure under pressure, and ability to navigate sensitive matters without losing sight of people, process, or purpose. His work is marked by independence, fairness, and a deep understanding of the accountability frameworks in which not-for-profits operate.

Why Choose MCW?

Sector insight: Decades of operational and leadership experience in education and charities.
Procedural confidence: Deep familiarity with disciplinary, grievance, and whistleblowing policies.
Reputational care: An understanding that process and tone matter as much as outcome.
Clarity of reporting: Clear, evidence-based findings presented in plain English.

Commissioning an Investigation

We undertake assignments on a fixed-fee or daily-rate basis, depending on scope and urgency.

Initial conversations are always confidential and without obligation. .