Matt Haycox
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Matt Haycox | |
|---|---|
| Born | Matthew David Haycox 25 December 1980 Leeds, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur Businessman Investor Podcaster |
| Children | Harlie Reese Haycox Nele Rocki Haycox |
| Website | matt-haycox |
Matthew David Norton Haycox (born December 1980), is a British entrepreneur, businessman, investor, mentor and podcaster.[1]
Career
[edit]In 2004, Haycox founded a chain of lap-dancing clubs named Provocative Group. Four years later, the group collapsed, with £3 million owed to creditors. Haycox was subsequently banned from being a company director for 12 years.[2]
In 2014, Haycox became a business finance provider and advisor to UK firms who were seeking funding solutions to grow their business.[2] The lending company purportedly loaned more than £500 million to UK businesses, many of them belonging to Haycox himself.[3]
On 17 May 2025, the UK financial services regulator, the Financial Conduct Authority, issued a formal alert warning the public to avoid dealing with Matt Haycox's 'Funding Guru' which is one of the brands he uses to raise money for his businesses. The FCA stated the company is “unauthorised” and "may be providing financial services or products in the UK without the regulator’s permission. You should avoid dealing with this firm and beware of scams."[4][5]
High Court filings show Haycox, a co-founder of the Elevate investment fund for Northern SMEs, was ordered to attend Manchester civil justice centre in February 2025 for a cross-examination on his assets, following an application by ANS and Godel founder Scott Fletcher and Lowry Trading, but failed to attend.[6][7]
On 11 February 2025 he was declared bankrupt for the second time.[8] He has also been hit by a fraud claim of £5.6m by an investor.[9]
On 12 May 2025 Haycox had a multi-million pound worldwide asset freezing order imposed on him by the United Kingdom High Court.[6][10]
Personal life
[edit]Haycox married Jenny Ryan in June 2006 in Las Vegas, US.[11] They lived together in Leeds and have one daughter called Harlie.[12] They have subsequently split-up. He has another daughter Nele with an ex partner.[13]
References
[edit]- ^ "How Matt Haycox came back from bankruptcy at 27 to become a millionaire". Yorkshire Post. 2020-05-02. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
- ^ a b Kelly, Peter Evans and Liam (2024-05-27). "Matt Haycox, banned director of bust lap-dancing clubs, is 'funding guru' for start-ups". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
- ^ Denton, Jane (2023-03-29). "How I Manage My Money: Millionaire, 42, on £100k a month, says 'I was never born to be poor'". inews.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
- ^ "Funding Guru/ www.fundingguru.com". Financial Conduct Authority. 2025-05-17. Retrieved 2025-05-17.
- ^ "City regulator issues alert over bankrupt podcaster's former company". The Times. 2025-05-28.
- ^ a b "Celebrity investment podcaster has assets frozen by High Court". The Times. 2025-05-14.
- ^ "frozen following court no-show over £19.7m credit claims". Prolific North. 2025-05-12.
- ^ "Bankruptcy Orders HAYCOX, MATTHEW DAVID NORTON". The Gazette. 2025-02-03.
- ^ "Self-Styled 'Business Guru' Faces investor's £5.6M Fraud Case". law360.co.uk. 2024-08-02.
- ^ "Dubai-based Manchester businessman's assets frozen following court no-show over £19.7m credit claims". Prolific North. 2025-05-12.
- ^ Manley, Debbie. "Funnyman Steve invites TWO lapdancers back to his posh hotel during night on the town while wife is at home". www.thefreelibrary.com. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
- ^ Hall, Astrid (2018-06-08). "Meet the girl, 11, who has launched her own restaurant". The Mirror. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
- ^ Denton, Jane (2023-03-29). "How I Manage My Money: Millionaire, 42, on £100k a month, says 'I was never born to be poor'". The i Paper. Retrieved 2024-12-12.