Matthew Syed is an award-winning columnist at The Times and author of best-selling books Bounce and Black Box Thinking.

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Bounce, published in April 2010, has been described as “one of the most intelligent and thought-provoking books about sport ever written”.

Black Box Thinking, published in 2015, is a UK bestseller, and has been translated into multiple languages.

“The best speech of its kind I have ever heard. It inspired, entertained and informed in equal measure.”
David Richardson, The Atlantic Group

Matthew has won numerous awards for his writing including:

Sports Journalist of the Year at The British Press Awards on 2 occasions
Best New Writer for his book, Bounce, at the British Sports Book Awards
Sports Feature Writer of the Year at the Sports Journalist Association Awards
Sports Columnist of the Year at the Sports Journalist Association Awards
Sports Commentator of the Year at the Editorial Intelligence Comment Awards

Prior to being a journalist, Matthew Syed was England’s number one table tennis player for nearly a decade.

He was three-times Commonwealth Champion and competed at the Barcelona ’92 and Sydney 2000 Olympics.

High Performance Keynote Speaker:

Matthew delivers motivational presentations on psychology, performance and continuous improvement.

Matthew’s most popular presentation – Black Box Thinking, is a new approach to high performance.

Drawing on case studies and real life examples, coupled with cutting-edge research on marginal gains, Matthew gives you the inside story of how success really happens – and how we cannot change and grow unless we are prepared to learn from our mistakes.

He has presented keynote speeches to many leading organisations and groups around the world including:

Global finance ministers at Harvard University
The Commanders and Admirals of the British surface fleet
Britain’s Chief Constables
The Presidents of the Medical Royal Colleges
The General Staff of the British Army
The global partners of Goldman Sachs
The Arsenal football team and other top sports organisations

His Mindset for Education presentations for teachers and school leaders provide the latest research and tools to unleash curiosity, creativity and growth mindset in their students.

Matthew also provides bespoke presentations for businesses and a learning course on the principles of high performance.

To check availability and fee, or to book motivational speaker Matthew Syed please contact us.

“I have found Matthew Syed’s presentations clear, compelling and entertaining. In both his presentations and his books he combines hard evidence, strong argument and telling anecdote. He draws on a wide range of fields, including sport and business, and uses language free of jargon. I have never heard the case for a growth mindset or learning from mistakes more effectively made.”

Sir Michael Barber, Chief Education Advisor, Pearson

“Matthew Syed is a fabulous speaker with superb ideas. He challenges and inspires in equal measure".

Michael Sherwood, Chief Executive, Goldman Sachs International

“A wonderful speech delivered to 1000 senior executives. Matthew’s messages are powerful and thought-provoking – and they have become central to the strategy of our business.”

Norman Pickavance, HR Director, Morrisons

“An outstanding speech that transformed the perspective of coaches and players alike. Our young players have been talking about it ever since.”

Steve Bould, Arsenal FC

Matthew Syed

Award-Winning Journalist and Best-Selling Author

High Performance Keynote Speaker:

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