Martin McCourt

Martin McCourt is an accomplished business leader with more than four decades of experience spanning manufacturing, design, marketing and global brand management. Best known for his 15-year tenure as CEO of Dyson, he transformed the company from a small UK operation with a single product into a billion-pound global brand sold in over 60 markets. 

Before Dyson, Martin held senior roles with international names such as Mars, Duracell, Toshiba, and Pelikan, building a deep understanding of how innovation and brand power drive business success. Recognised as UK Business Leader of the Year in 2010, he has since chaired and advised a range of companies including COMPO GmbH, FreeFlow Technologies, and Weber Inc., and serves as a Visiting Professor at Aston University.

As a keynote speaker, Martin shares compelling insights drawn from real-world leadership at the highest level. His talks explore themes such as disruptive innovation, scaling businesses while preserving entrepreneurial spirit, overcoming failure, and the challenges of international expansion. Known for his engaging delivery and practical takeaways, he offers audiences a candid look at how to lead through change, foster creativity in manufacturing, and sustain growth in fast-evolving markets. His presentations, tailored for executives, entrepreneurs and industry leaders alike combine humour, strategic insight, and hard-won experience to inspire organisations to think boldly and act decisively.

Speaking Topics

• Modern-Day Disruptors – Exploring how agile organisations can seize competitive advantage by embracing emerging platforms, adapting to shifting consumer behaviours, and harnessing the power of social media to stay ahead of the curve.
• Think Big and Stay Small – A masterclass on scaling a business without losing its entrepreneurial edge; how to remain nimble, innovative, and authentic while competing with larger, more established players. 
• Confronting Failure – Honest lessons in resilience and recovery: how to recognise setbacks as part of the innovation process, learn from mistakes, and transform challenges—such as failed product launches into valuable opportunities for growth.
• International Expansion & Business Growth – Practical insights drawn from real experience in taking a UK business global covering market entry, manufacturing strategy, exporting, and the leadership mindset needed to thrive internationally. 
• Innovation, Manufacturing & Engineering – A deep dive into the interplay between creativity and commercial success, showing how research, design, and engineering excellence can be harnessed through disciplined leadership to drive long-term business performance.

📩 Book Martin McCourt for Your Next Event

📧 E-Mail info@primeperformers.co.uk
📞 Call 020 3500 3331