KEYNOTE: Matthew Syed

Writer, Journalist & Broadcaster, MSC

Matthew Syed is one of the world’s most influential thinkers in the field of high performance and cultural change. He has written seven bestselling books on the subject of mindset and high performance and has worked with many leading organisations to build a mindset of continuous improvement. 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 also the co-founder of Matthew Syed Consulting (MSC) Ltd. MSC Ltd has worked with an impressive portfolio of clients to build growth mindset cultures and drive higher performance in individuals, teams and organisations.

Matthew is presenting at the World of Learning Conference 2026
Keynote session: Rethinking how we learn, adapt and succeed – a curious mindset
Tuesday 6 October, 10:00 – 11:00, Conference Room A

View the conference programme

Professional background

Matthew has written seven bestselling books on the subject of mindset and high performance and has worked with many leading organisations to build a mindset of continuous improvement. Matthew’s 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 is also the co-founder of Matthew Syed Consulting (MSC) Ltd. MSC Ltd has worked with an impressive portfolio of clients to build growth mindset cultures and drive higher performance in individuals, teams and organisations. MSC’s cutting-edge thought leadership programme and digital learning tools are becoming a catalyst for real and lasting change within business and the public sector.