Matt Sims

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Matt Sims Multi-Award-Winning Leading Partner & Advisor in Lean Thinking & High-Performance Cultures | Speaker | Author | The Guy From the Ever-So-Lean Podcast 🎧

Over the past two decades, I’ve had the privilege of navigating a path that’s been filled with incredible travels, opportunities, experiences and above all, invaluable lessons. From beginning my journey on the frontline to holding senior leadership positions across organisations such as Royal Mail and Amazon, each step with it’s high moments and it’s challenges, has contributed to shaping my understanding of continuous improvement and true leadership. For me, leadership isn’t about titles or accolades—it’s about the people we serve and the connections we forge along the way. My journey has been enriched by experiences that have deepened my appreciation for operational excellence and the significance of investing in people, and fostering a culture of growth and learning within teams. Personally, one of my proudest moments on this journey was being recognised with an ‘Excellenteer‘ accolade by the British Quality Foundation (BQF) in 2024. It was a humbling honour, reminding me of the responsibility we have to continually strive for excellence, and invest time in developing our future leaders. Hosting the Ever-So-Lean Podcast has been an incredible highlight. This platform has allowed me to connect with individuals from around the world, sharing insights and experiences that I hope ignite inspiration and drive positive change. Speaking engagements also hold a special place in my heart, as they allow me to infuse energy and passion into every interaction, sparking enthusiasm and fostering a sense of empowerment. Partnering with individuals and organisations to support growth and the pursuit of excellence is truly inspiring. Through initiatives like the Ever-So-Lean Learning Series and Ever-So-Lean Rising Stars (dedicated to continuous improvement training for young minds), I aim to share the wisdom gleaned from my experiences, empowering others to achieve their potential. As I reflect on my journey so far, I’m filled with gratitude for the opportunities I’ve been given and the lessons I’ve learned. But this journey is far from over, and I’m eager to continue learning, growing and making a positive impact wherever I can. I want to support you on your journey, get in touch, as I’d be honoured to stand beside you along the way!

14/10/2026

“If someone has the worst day of their life, we’re there to pick them up and save them.”

That puts the purpose of collaboration into perspective, doesn’t it?

Magpas Air Ambulance, East Anglian Air Ambulance and Essex & Herts Air Ambulance (EHAAT) had just won Excellence in Collaboration at the BQF UK Excellence Awards when they joined me for this conversation at Wembley Stadium.

Three regional charities, up against some big national corporate names, recognised for what they achieved together. Their surprise and pride were brilliant to see. But something they said really stayed with me. Their teams had worked through the things that felt uncomfortable, started talking and shared what they knew. They understood that they were all trying to achieve the same thing.

There’s a lesson in that for every organisation. We talk about collaboration, but it takes people willing to reach out, listen and learn from each other to make it happen.

Huge congratulations to all three teams. What a moment, and what a reason to work together.

Magpas Air Ambulance - https://magpas.org.uk/

East Anglian Air Ambulance - https://www.eaaa.org.uk/

Essex amp; Herts Air Ambulance (EHAAT) - https://ehaat.org/

Catch up with all the nights winners by revisiting the live broadcast - https://www.youtube.com/live/ZF0YdKkEFbA?si=Kn34wg2VdVgPDefC

14/10/2026

What happens when hitting the target isn’t delivering the right outcome for the customer?

Centrica challenged the target.

Some of their team joined me live at Wembley Stadium after winning the Excellence in Business Agility Award at the BQF UK Excellence Awards. Their story goes well beyond smart metering. It’s about questioning established measures, challenging the status quo and working with the regulator and government to change what success looks like for customers

As they explain, that was tough. Changing measures in a long established organisation takes conviction, especially when those measures have shaped how people work. This is why we need to keep asking what our targets are actually encouraging. Are they helping our people deliver what customers need?

Huge congratulations to everyone involved at Centrica. Lovely to see so many of the team come up to celebrate together, even if they hadn’t quite agreed who was taking the award home!

Catch up on all the winners by revising the Live Broadcast - https://www.youtube.com/live/ZF0YdKkEFbA?si=BZ7T5zbrycMC06ci

13/10/2026

“Tonight you’ve given a normal family the absolute world.”

Those were the words of a mother Dawn Avery, bursting with pride after her remarkable boy Aston Avery won the individual patrons award at the BQF UK Excellence Awards 2026.

Eight minutes of tears, laughter and a family’s pride. I’m so pleased we captured this.

Aston Avery joined me just after receiving the BQF Patron’s Award for individuals serving the community from Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, at Wembley Stadium on 8 October.

I’ve had Aston on the Ever-So-Lean Podcast previously, so I already knew what an incredible person he is. Seeing him there with his parents, trying to find the words as the emotion hit, was something I’ll remember for a very long time.

His mum, Dawn, spoke about a childhood when so little was expected of him. Today, Aston campaigns for autism and mental health, raises funds for charities and uses his own experiences to help others. And alongside his dad’s prostate cancer diagnosis, he’s preparing to run the London Landmarks Half Marathon for Prostate Cancer UK.

There’s so much love in this conversation. Plenty of cheeky humour too, as you’d expect from Aston and his family!

Give yourself eight minutes to watch it. You’ll understand exactly why this recognition means so much. So proud of you, mate. Congratulations to you and everyone at Team Avery ESSEX.

Learn more about Aston's work - https://www.teamaveryessex.com/home/

Catch-up on all the winners - https://www.youtube.com/live/ZF0YdKkEFbA?si=BZ7T5zbrycMC06ci

12/10/2026

They’d just won at Wembley. The award was still in the bag! That soon changed when The Road Victims Trust joined me live on the sofa at the British Quality Foundation UK Excellence Awards on 8 October 2026.

There was plenty of laughter, but hearing what this recognition meant to their team, their 60 volunteers and the people they support was something special.

The Road Victims Trust supports people affected by fatal road traffic collisions across Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire.

Behind this celebration is deeply important work, helping people through some of the hardest moments of their lives.

Congratulations to everyone at The Road Victims Trust on winning the Patron’s Award for Charity Organisations. What a moment to share with you.

Watch them get that award out of the bag and enjoy their Wembley moment!

Learn more about The Road Victims Trust: https://rvtrust.org.uk/

Catch up on all the winners by revising the Live Broadcast - https://www.youtube.com/live/ZF0YdKkEFbA?si=y7G9WMmCQWX5BBmA

11/10/2026

When was the last time you spoke to your team without talking about work?

It’s easy to get straight into the process, the problem or the change we’re trying to make. There’s a lot to do, and we want to get on with it. But how well do we actually know the people we’re asking to come with us?

In this clip from the recent UKNCI Live, Stuart Robertson MBA makes a point that deserves our attention. Make time for real human conversations. Find out what people enjoy, what matters to them and how life is treating them.

I’ve seen how much that changes the relationship. People become more comfortable telling you what’s really happening, questioning an idea or sharing something they’ve previously kept to themselves.

That really matters when you’re trying to improve anything.

Trust takes time, and people can tell when your interest is genuine. If we only turn up when we need something, we shouldn’t be surprised when people are cautious.

Take an interest. Listen properly. Give people your time. Because those conversations are part of the work of leading change.

Catch the full conversation on all podcast platforms or watch on YouTube:

https://youtube.com/live/205A84a2_dc?feature=share

10/10/2026

What a week for Aston Avery!

Winning the UK Excellence Patron’s Award at Wembley Stadium, and now compering tonight’s Autism’s Got Talent 15th anniversary celebration. Two very special occasions, and so much to be proud of.

Congratulations, Aston, and the very best of luck tonight!

Autism’s Got Talent gives autistic children and adults a stage to share their talents, express themselves and enjoy their moment in the spotlight. I can only imagine the excitement as everyone prepares for this evening.

Congratulations to Anna Kennedy and the whole team on 15 years of celebrating the talent, creativity and positivity of people on the spectrum. Think of all the people who have stepped onto that stage, and all the proud families and friends cheering them on.

Good luck to everyone performing tonight. Enjoy every moment!

Some moments stay with you long after the evening ends. Last night at Wembley Stadium gave me plenty of them.The BQF UK ...
09/10/2026

Some moments stay with you long after the evening ends. Last night at Wembley Stadium gave me plenty of them.

The BQF UK Excellence Awards well and truly delivered on the promise of an exceptional occasion.

Sharing those incredibly special moments with so many finalists and winners is something that will live with me for many years to come.

This year, I had the honour of hosting the very first live stream of the awards across LinkedIn, YouTube and Facebook. In total, 896 people joined us to share in the success of the award winners.

Thank you to everyone who tuned in. We had the privilege of capturing the raw emotion as the winners came off stage. Some were lost for words. Some couldn’t stop smiling. Many had tears of utter joy. You could see just how much it meant to them and the people they represented.

On a personal note, seeing IHG Hotels & Resorts win Excellence in Continuous Improvement Culture was particularly emotional.

Over the past 12 to 18 months, I’ve worked closely with people across this organisation and seen first hand their passion, drive and commitment. The results they’re achieving, and the culture they’re building together, have been extraordinary to witness.

Winning an award is very special. Watching people you’ve worked so closely with receive that recognition brings a feeling I find quite difficult to put into words. My connection with IHG goes far beyond them being an Ever-So-Lean client. I’m incredibly proud of everyone I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and working with. They care about their people, they’re curious about what could be better, and they put the learning into practice.

The sky is the limit for this team.

I can’t wait to get started with the next Lean Six Sigma Green Belt cohort in a couple of weeks.

Congratulations to every finalist and winner, and thank you to BQF for trusting me to help share such a memorable evening. What a night.

08/10/2026

The excitement. The emotion. The moment their name is called on the Wembley stage. Join Matt Sims, live from Wembley Stadium for the BQF UK Excellence Awards 2026, sponsored by Forvis Mazars. As winners step off the Wembley stage, Matt will be there to capture their first reactions, while the achievement is still sinking in. Hear what winning means to them, who helped them get there, and the challenges and hard work behind their success. Expect pride, relief, laughter and perhaps a few tears as we meet the people behind the awards and celebrate what they have achieved together. Thursday 8 October 2026 | 7pm–11pm UK time Watch live on LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube. Interviews will take place throughout the evening, with breaks while the ceremony continues.

08/10/2026

Wembley, here we come!

Hope someone’s told them we’re coming!

Bags packed, plenty of laughs already, and we’re heading into a big evening at the BQF UK Excellence Awards.

I’m really looking forward to catching up with everyone and celebrating the people whose hard work has brought them to this moment. And when the winners step off that Wembley stage, I’ll be there to hear how it feels and share their reactions LIVE through the Ever-So-Lean Podcast.

Join us from 7pm UK time, with live conversations throughout the evening.

Good luck to all the finalists. Let’s have a brilliant night!

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