Barry Hearn

Barry Hearn OBE is a dignitary in the world of sports promotion, renowned as the Founder and President of Matchroom Sport. Throughout his career, Barry has been heavily involved in a multitude of sports – from boxing and fishing to golf, snooker and darts. Having most recently been the Chairman of the Professional Darts Corporation, Barry has majorly influenced many of the world’s biggest sports, renowned for his succession of innovative ideas. Having developed Matchroom Sport into one of the world’s leading independent suppliers of sports programming, Barry is now highly sought-after to share the successes of his career as an after dinner or keynote speaker.

Initially trained as a Chartered Accountant, Barry spent several years honing his expertise with a variety of international accountants, before embarking into the commercial and corporate world. A versatile entrepreneur, Barry worked as the Finance Director of Kensal House Investments, before stints in property development and the fashion industry. He began his first major sporting role in 1974, as the Chairman of Lucania Snooker Clubs. Before long, after striking up a friendship with Steve Davis, Barry proved to have a major influence on the snooker industry, later developing a stable of top snooker players, with Matchroom Sport. Having dominated the world of snooker and ultimately becoming the Chairman of the World Professional Billiards & Snooker Association in 2009, Barry moved on to boxing in the 1980s, becoming a renowned boxing promoter whose first promotion was the fight between Frank Bruno and Joe Bugner in 1987.

Having promoted the likes of Chris Eubank, Lennox Lewis and Steve Collins, Barry later created the Prizefighter Series. In 2001, Barry made the move into darts, becoming the Chairman of the Professional Darts Corporation. Under his careful watch, the organisation went from strength to strength, ultimately stepping down from the role in 2021. Today, Barry is committed to his advisory role as the President of Matchroom Sport, dealing with event strategy and global development of the world’s leading supplier of sports programming. In recognition of such a decorated career, Barry was honoured with the appointment of OBE in the 2021 New Year Honours for Services to Sports and induction into the Professional Darts Corporation Hall of Fame.

A dignitary in the world of sports, Barry Hearn is now highly sought-after to share the successes of his fruitful career in sports promotion at corporate and public events. Detailing how he was a major influence on all manner of sports from boxing to darts and football, Barry has formerly appeared on the High Performance podcast and delivered a Q&A for The Oxford Union on his distinguished career. Renowned for his expertise in global sports development, don’t hesitate to hire Barry Hearn OBE to share insights on the world of sports promotion, today.