A little background
Initially qualifying as a social worker. I went on to serve my Queen and country within the British Army for over 12 years. Qualifying as an Advanced Trauma Medic, Neclear Biological and Chemical Warfare Medic and Pre-Deployment Training Officer.
I was stationed both within the UK and across Europe and frequently deployed on overseas operations (including but not restricted to Northern Ireland, The Gulf, Bosnia, Kosovo, East Timor & Sierra Lione) operating on the ‘front-line’ with specialist rapid deployment regiment.
Prior to leaving the Armed Forces in 2003, I was the Senior Pre-Deployment Medic for the Rapid Reaction Joint Nuclear, Biological, Chemical Warfare Regiment (During the period of ‘Weapos of mass destruction’ Saga!).
However, a series of ‘incidents’, eventually resulted in a diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) which saw me Medical Discharged in 2003.
Whilst many would have used this as an excuse to ‘give up’. Jay battled on through extensive treatment for well over 2 years. Resulting in him worked at Consultancy / Advisor level with a number of well-known high street chains.
Eventually Jay turned his attention to Entrepreneurship, and has to-date; bought, acquired or set up from scratch:
- 4 of his own businesses
- sat on the Non-Exec board as a national government advisor
- currently holds both Chair of the Non-Exec Board and Strategic Lead on the Exec Board positions
- and Chair of Trustee’s for a registered Armed Forces related Charity.
I ‘fell’ into public speaking back in 2011, when a friend and ex-colleague who WAS due to keynote at a business event I’d chosen to attend, had a car accident on the way to the venue, and was in ‘no fit state’ to go on and present.
I volunteered to step in (if required) to ‘lend a hand‘ with the expectation I might be asked to contribute a few stories to whomever was due to take his place. However, as the MC stood, he advised there was a last minute chage to the program, and that I would be the presenter that evening!
Nervously I stood, and shared around 20-25mins of acombination betweem my own experiences of the Army, what I could recollect of things associated with the intended speaker, and a call to put aside any political differences the audiance may have about COMBAT and to support a ‘Good cause’.
By the end of the night 3 remarkable things happened:
- We went on to raise around £7,000 MORE than the event organiser had hoped to raise prior to the original speakers demise!
- I was approached by a ‘Speaker Agent’ asking if I was exclusive with whichever agency had sent me, and if not ‘Would I like his company to represent me as a speaker?’
- I received the following feedback from one of the attendee’s:
“I attend ALOT of these tpye of events, all over the world, as part of my role with the business. I have NEVER heard anyone speak so honestly, so emotionally and so impactfully about their time in the service, and yet related it so well to every single person in the room. If your not already doing this for a living, your wasted, you need to share your story with everyone!“
A year later, and having taken his advice and sold my business to concentrate Full Time on my role as a Motivational Speaker. I was speaking on behalf of the Federation of Small Businesses at their National Conference. My keynote was considered so powerful, it was nominated and subsequently won a Global Entrepreneur ‘Big Impact to Business‘ Award (Kauffman Institute).
The following year, I went on to host my own Entrepreneur Event, for which the event was nominated and won an award in the category Global ‘Big Impact to Business’ Event.
Having worked with both public sector, and PLC, as well as Micro and across the SME market. Jay’s no-nonsense understanding of business success strategies have been fundamental in his own success, and a significant influence in many others.
Jay is currently listed on the UK Power 100 (Smith and Williamson) as one of their top 100 recognised business influencers in the UK.
Jay’s highly engagement, informative and often thought provoking speeches predominantly concentrate on both personal and professional growth of Business and Business owners/managers. Jay’s personal story regarding Mental Health/Mental Wealth, is most inspiring to all. He predominantly works in the Business to Business arena.
As a Regional Ambassador for the UK registered Charity Combat Stress, Jay has made a lifelong pledge to support this UK registered charity. He does this by making a personal donation (30% net) from ALL* commercial speaker engagements. Furthermore, he donates (£30% net) of all book sales to this most worthy cause.