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Simon Hartley is a high-performance coach, author, and international speaker renowned for his work with elite athletes, business leaders, and high-performing teams. With over two decades of experience in sport and performance psychology, Simon inspires audiences across the globe to think differently, sharpen their focus, and reach their full potential. As a speaker, he is known for delivering clear, actionable insights grounded in real-world experience—always with a relaxed, engaging, and down-to-earth style that resonates deeply with both individuals and organisations.
Simon’s journey began in the world of professional sport, where he worked closely with Olympic athletes and teams competing at the highest level. He spent time as a sport psychologist at the English Institute of Sport and supported professionals across disciplines including Premier League football, international cricket, and rugby union. It was during this period that Simon developed a passion for understanding what truly drives excellence. By exploring the mental traits that separate good from great, he laid the foundations for his unique approach to performance—one that bridges the gap between elite sport and business leadership.
In recent years, Simon has worked with global corporations such as GE, Siemens, NatWest, and The North Face, bringing his insights into the boardroom and beyond. He is the founder of Be World Class, a consultancy that helps individuals and teams unlock sustained performance through mental toughness, clarity of purpose, and high-impact leadership. Simon is also the author of several best-selling books, including ‘Peak Performance Every Time’, ‘Stronger Together’, and ‘Two Lengths of the Pool’, each offering practical tools for achieving consistent excellence. His latest work blends lessons from sport, psychology, and leadership to equip audiences with the mindset needed to thrive in competitive environments.
Simon is hired by organisations who want more than inspiration—they want impact. He helps teams simplify the complex, align around purpose, and perform when it matters most. Whether addressing CEOs, sports teams, or future leaders, Simon delivers thought-provoking sessions that leave people motivated and empowered to act. His depth of experience, practical wisdom, and genuine passion for performance make him a trusted voice in high-stakes arenas around the world.
Simon Hartley is regularly booked to engage audiences at events, read their latest feedback below:
“As a speaker, I have watched Simon on many stages and he has a way of pitching his message to land at just the right time and in just the right way, to have the audience hanging on every word he says. I’m always blown away at the inspiring and wise words that Simon delivers to his audiences, using his experience of working across various different world-class fields from sport to business, Simon shares his findings and passion for helping people to deliver their best performances every time!”
“Simon delivered the Mark Bailey Public Lecture for the Grammar School at Leeds. Simon used powerful examples and stories to deliver an insightful and inspiring presentation. The audience feedback has been extremely positive. Whether you are trying to grow your business or a student wanting to improve their performance, Simon provided practical advice on how you could become ‘world-class’.”
“Simon has been a regular contributor at The Recruitment Network and his genuine expertise and his phenomenal experience of working in business and sports means he can add huge value to anyone, individually or collectively who is looking to get even better at performance, resilience and mental toughness. Not only does he have the stories, but he’s got so many simple, yet powerful tools and tips to help any leader develop themselves and their team. Really insightful.”
“I had the pleasure of hosting an event where Simon Hartley was our keynote speaker. His session on “Be World Class” was nothing short of phenomenal.”
“WOW. We had Simon booked to deliver two keynotes to 60+ VIP clients and guests and he certainly did not disappoint. All our clients are experiencing challenges around team retention and recruitment and therefore Simon was a great fit. “How to hire on character” and “How to build a world class team” gave everybody tremendous insight into how to change good into great. The feedback was fantastic. If you are looking for a speaker to support you and your team, Simon is the man to support you.”
“Simon presented at a recent event where the theme was ‘collaboration’. He was my keynote speaker and was very professional and effective. Prior to the event, he spent time understanding the organisation I work for, what the subject matter was and how he could integrate that with his experience. His speech was full of enthusiasm and passion for the subject and attendees praised his delivery style.”
The High-Performance Speakers Agency is the UK’s leading bureau for teamwork, leadership, and marginal gains speakers. We hire speakers for corporate conferences and events across the world and cater to both in-person occasions and online webinars. Our roster includes sportspeople, business leaders, adventurers and more, to ensure audiences of all industries receive tailored, impactful advice on optimised performance.
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