Matthew Syed is a journalist, writer, and high-performance expert who focuses on how divergent thinking drives teams. Known as "the ping-pong guy" thanks to his podcasting days with Freddie Flintoff and Robbie Savage, Matthew is also an accomplished broadcaster and former table tennis player. Drawing from his remarkable career, Matthew now assists top organizations in fostering a mindset of continuous improvement.
Matthew has written seven bestselling books on mindset and high performance and has worked with many leading organisations to build a continuous improvement mindset. His book titles include Rebel Ideas, Black Box Thinking, Bounce, The Greatest, and his celebrated children’s books, What do you think? You Are Awesome and Dare To Be You. He is also a multi-award-winning journalist for The Times and The Sunday Times and presenter of the popular BBC Radio 4 programme Sideways. Matthew is a regular contributor to television and radio and, in his previous career, was the England table tennis number one for almost a decade.
Matthew’s work explores a thought-provoking approach to high performance in a complex and fast-changing world. By understanding the intimate connection between mindset and high performance, organisations can unlock untapped potential in individuals and teams, driving innovation and agility to secure a future-proofed environment.
He shares compelling examples from various fields, such as healthcare, business, education, sport, and even his experience co-authoring David Beckham's autobiography. Matthew emphasizes the importance of implementing a growth culture and its positive impact on individual and organisational performance.
Leveraging insights from his bestselling book, Rebel Ideas, Matthew underscores the critical role of diverse thinking in every organization. He has had the privilege of speaking to major companies like Apple and Microsoft and most recently served as an advisor to the England football team during the 2020 Euros.
How can I book Matthew Syed for my next event?
Email matthew.syed@getapeptalk.com, or call us on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm availability and fees. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and a bit about your audience.
PepTalk are the official speaking agents for Matthew Syed available to book for corporate events, conference keynotes, leadership talks, celebrity endorsements, personal appearances, and motivational speaking engagements. We can assist with enquiries about Matthew Syed's speaking fees, availability, and booking process for private business functions, industry conferences, and team events. For media interviews, charity appearances, or personal matters, we recommend contacting Matthew directly.
What topics does Matthew Syed specialise in?
Matthew Syed specialises in discussing divergent thinking, high performance, continuous improvement and more.
What is Matthew Syed's speaking style like?
Matthew delivers thought-provoking talks with clear, engaging examples. Audiences find him insightful, bright, and highly engaging, making complex ideas accessible and sparking meaningful discussion and positive feedback.
Does Matthew Syed offer virtual speaking engagements?
Yes, Matthew Syed offers virtual speaker bookings for webinars, online conferences, and remote or distributed team engagements.