From humble beginnings, born from a barn in 2003, Champions Speakers has become a leading speaker bureau of over 100 experts led by two generations of the Hayes family. We have continued to hold on to our early belief that innovation, positive client relations and hard work form the foundation of success. In short, our family values drive us to provide the best services for clients and nurture greatness in our employees.
Working with a wide range of charities, including Cure Leukaemia and Giving Africa, we at Champions believe that it is our responsibility to give back to our community. As a Patron of Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People, we have raised over £3,000,000 in support of children in need.
Over the years, we as a brand have been honoured with a multitude of prestigious accolades, recognising our success. We are extremely proud of all of our achievements that reflect the exceptional level of service we provide to clients. It is our award-winning culture that sets us apart.
A Big Family
Born in a barn in Costock in 2003, our team of two has grown to 100+ agents and support staff, embodying the Champions Speakers culture. We pride ourselves on going the extra mile for our clients, and no matter whether you're new to Champions Speakers or have worked with us before, we're keen to welcome you with open arms.
The Client Always Comes First
Champions Speakers make a commitment to our clients to offer a reliable, comprehensive service at a good value, giving you everything you need to create memorable events. Supporting our clients every step of the way, our mission is to make event after event exceed expectations emphatically.
We Prioritise Wellbeing
At Champions Speakers, staff wellbeing is built into everyday working life. A custom-built staff portal supports access to 24/7 GP services, confidential mental health support including one-to-one, couples and group sessions, contributory pension guidance, and Top Cashback with bespoke high-street vouchers. The team benefits from an in-house free gym, Pilates with Sally Ashfield, monthly professional massages, plus fully expenses-covered team outings and an annual Christmas party, for everyone, year-round.
Award Winning
Champions Speakers’ growth has been recognised consistently by some of the UK’s most respected business institutions. We were named among the London Stock Exchange Group’s 1000 Companies to Inspire Britain and included in The Telegraph’s 1000 Britain’s Brightest Businesses, highlighting sustained performance and ambition.
We have been selected for the Santander Breakthrough 50 Awards and handpicked by Sir Richard Branson as the 57th company on The Sunday Times Fast Track 100, recognising exceptional scaling businesses. Since 2008, Champions has achieved a 700% increase in turnover, driven by long-term client relationships and international demand.
More recently, we were named Consultancy and Professional Services winner in the Department for Business & Trade’s Made in the UK, Sold to the World awards, recognising 122% export growth. We have also been awarded Booking Agency of the Year by the Entertainment Agents’ Association and ranked 34th in the Midlands and East of England on the UK Fast Growth Index, supported by UBS.
Champions CSR
Working with a host of charities that are doing amazing things, we have been able to give back to those who need it most. Playing an important role in our day-to-day activities, we have raised over £6,000,000 for charities of all shapes and sizes. The great charities we have supported include Brainwave, Cure Leukaemia, The Lord's Taverners, Giving Africa, Birmingham Children's Hospital, Great Ormond Street and the PCA Benevolent Fund.
CSR is led by Champions Speakers' Director of CSR, Louisa Mason-Hayes.
Rainbows Hospice for Children & Young People
As a Patron of Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People, we have helped to raise over £3,000,000 to support those in desperate need of help.
Read the kind words of feedback we received for our continued support of Rainbows:
"Champions have been the largest and longest standing, supporters of Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People for well over a decade. In this time, they have raised more than £1.5m to fund our work and, in the process, put on countless events, securing hundreds of media and press articles to promote the hospice and introducing us to many more supporters.
"Champions are a family business, in every sense possible. Founded by Dad and CEO John, the Hayes family are the most talented and hard-working group of people you could hope to meet. Their ethos of doing business the right way can go some way to explain why they’ve dedicated themselves to raising money for Rainbows. However, it’s the thought of supporting other families, families who are faced with the unbelievable prospect of losing a child to a terminal illness, that spurs them on. John himself has suffered the pain of losing his sister Jane to a life-limiting illness, and he experienced the strain this put on his parents and their relationship with him and others in the family. By supporting Rainbows, John knows that he is directly helping other families faced with a similar situation get the care they need, when they need it.
"Each year, Champions create a programme of high-profile events that are either in aid of Rainbows or that include some fundraising elements on behalf of the charity. In recent years, these have included an annual gala ball at the Dorchester, cricket and rugby dinners, countless awards evenings and numerous golf events. In 2017, Champions surpassed their previous fundraising targets and raised over £230,000 in a single calendar year.
"I have worked for charities for over 18 years and in that time I’ve managed some of the biggest partnerships – including the Tesco Charity of the Year, Morrisons, and Microsoft, to name a few. However, none of these bigger organisations are able to touch Champions in terms of the commitment the entire business makes to raising money in support of Rainbows or the other charities that benefit from their help. I’m sure it’s a cliché to say Champions by name, champions by nature – but this really is the case for the Hayes family, their colleagues, friends and associates."
- Andrew Ball, Director of Support Relations, Rainbows Hospice For Children & Young People
