Matthew Hayes

Specialist Areas: Business Management, Leadership, AI, Teamwork

Matthew Hayes is the Managing Director of Champions Speakers, a role in which he oversees the company’s strategic direction and operations, ensuring the smooth coordination between clients and speakers. He is responsible for business development, forging strong industry relationships and maintaining high standards of service. Under his leadership, Champions Speakers has expanded its roster and client base, enhancing its reputation in the events industry. Matthew's role encompasses financial management, team leadership and client satisfaction, driving the company’s growth and innovation in a competitive market. His expertise and vision are pivotal to the company's success, and have seen him claim awards such as the Midlands Global Entrepreneur of the Year Award at the Great British Entrepreneur Awards.

His award-winning insights have secured a wealth of high-profile clients, including Uniphar Group, Farmfoods, Anglian Water and TATA Communications to name but a few. A Business Administration and Management graduate of Bristol Business School, Matthew was awarded the 2014 haysmacintyre Top Gun at The Young Guns Awards and was a 2016 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards finalist. He has also earned his business an array of prestigious accolades in recent years, such as the Sunday Times Fast Track 100, Santander Breakthrough 50, London Stock Exchange 1000 Companies to Inspire Britain and Insider Growth 100. Personally, Matt has been named as one of the Top 32 Serial Founders by Business Leader and CEO/Director of the Year at the Leicestershire Business Awards, along with being awarded Freedom of the City of London issued by the Clerk to the Chamberlain's Court at Guildhall and Freeman of the Company of Entrepreneurs Award by The Company of Entrepreneurs.

Since 2007, Matthew has also been the Managing Director of the Farmfoods British Par 3 Championship Ltd, an event celebrating the Par 3 format in collaboration with a number of golfing legends and lead sponsor, Farmfoods. Attracting thousands of guests each year, Matthew is credited with the event's successful growth and for securing its high-profile nationwide media coverage.

In his day-to-day work, Matthew works closely with expert advisors such as Jamie McAnsh, Derek Redmond, Piers Linney and Caspar Craven, who help him deliver the service and ethos that Champions Speakers pride ourselves on. Matthew also writes extensively about brand strategy, marketing theory, digital and traditional communications and the benefits of long-term, consultative partnerships - having previously been featured in Business Matters, the UK's leading business magazine, and other esteemed publications such as Techround, Startups and BusinessLive.

Aside from his role at Champions, Matthew can sometimes be found performing his go-to karaoke song - Angels by Robbie Williams. He is also the self-proclaimed dance champion at, well, Champions… something his team has the rare privilege of witnessing at staff parties. Whether he is dominating the digital industry or the dance floor, Matthew's passion, dedication and commitment to his team is clear to see.