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Damian Hughes is a bestselling author, keynote speaker and expert in high performance, leadership and organisational culture.
Drawing on a unique blend of academic research and practical experience in sport, business and change psychology, he helps organisations create environments where people and teams can thrive. His keynote presentations explore topics including high performance, leadership, team culture, resilience, mindset, personal development, change management and the psychology behind sustained success.
A recognised authority on performance and personal development, Damian has written eight bestselling business books, including Liquid Thinking, Liquid Leadership, How to Change Absolutely Anything, How to Think Like Sir Alex Ferguson and The Five STEPS to a Winning Mindset. His books High Performance: Lessons from the Best on Becoming Your Best and How to Change Your Life both reached number one on the Sunday Times bestseller list. His latest title, MicroHabits: Tiny Changes That Supercharge High Performance, was published in 2026. His work has been translated into 15 languages.
Alongside his business writing, Damian is an acclaimed sports author. His biography of boxing icon Sugar Ray Robinson was nominated for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award, while his biography of Marvin Hagler became the UK’s bestselling sports biography in 2013. He has also co authored a celebrated biography of Thomas Hearns.
In 2010, Damian was appointed Visiting Professor of Organisational Behaviour and Change at Manchester Metropolitan University, recognising his contribution to leadership and organisational development.
Damian is also the co host of the hugely successful The High Performance Podcast, which explores the mindset and behaviours behind sustained success through conversations with leading figures from sport, business and the arts. The podcast has attracted more than 300 million downloads worldwide.
His expertise has been sought by elite sporting organisations, having worked as part of the coaching teams for the England Rugby League team, England Roses netball team and Scotland Rugby Union, alongside numerous national and international sporting programmes.
Away from his professional work, Damian is the founder of The School Coat Charity, an organisation dedicated to supporting children living in poverty by providing warm coats to those who need them most.
What separates consistently successful teams and organisations from the rest? In this insightful keynote, Damian explores the key ingredients that create high performance cultures, drawing on lessons from elite sport, business and behavioural science. Audiences will discover how leaders can build environments where people are engaged, accountable and motivated to achieve exceptional results.
Success is rarely the result of talent alone. Damian reveals the mindset and behaviours that underpin sustained achievement, sharing practical strategies used by some of the world’s most successful performers. This inspiring session helps individuals and teams develop greater resilience, confidence and focus when facing challenges and change.
Achieving success is one challenge. Maintaining it is another. Drawing on years of research with elite performers, leading organisations and championship winning teams, Damian examines what it takes to sustain excellence over the long term. Audiences will gain valuable insights into avoiding complacency, adapting to change and continually raising standards in pursuit of lasting success.
In an increasingly fast moving world, the ability to adapt and evolve is essential. Damian shares proven principles of successful transformation, exploring why change often fails and what leaders can do differently to create lasting results. Combining compelling stories with practical takeaways, this keynote provides a roadmap for navigating uncertainty and driving meaningful change.
We have booked Damian as a keynote speaker on many occasions. The audiences have found his presentations an engaging combination of inspiration and practical advice and I know that the messages have resonated for a long time after the events. It is great to see how Damian tailors the style and content of his delivery to the interests and energies of his audience so that he makes sure that each person understands how they can use the time to their best advantage.
Damian has a really rich experience across many sectors. His involvement with leading sporting organisations provides an insight, outside of the normal business environment, that challenges the way that individuals approach change and deliver winning results through the team. Damian always scores highly in feedback. People will leave these sessions really challenging themselves on what they need to do differently to deliver success. His communication of the key points is enhanced by the use of many different media.
