From boardrooms to professional race-driving, Brian Sims has been a motorsport industry icon for many years. Recognised as one of the sport’s most talented sponsorship acquisition exponents, Brian is also the Founder of the prestigious Motorsport Industry Association. He personally acquired some of the most valuable, ground-breaking sponsorship deals within F1 after the demise of tobacco advertising, and became the Commercial Director of the Benetton F1 Team.
As a motivational sales speaker, Brian shows corporate audiences how to ignite their teams’ passion for closing deals. Throughout his career, from being a successful Xerox salesman to securing numerous ground-breaking multi-million-pound F1 sponsorship deals, Brian has built an enviable reputation for his “cold-call” strategy that resulted in staggering investments from some of the biggest names in the business world.
His outstanding insight leaves audiences empowered to transform their sales strategy and reap the rewards. Brian played a significant role in the world-leading success of the UK motorsport industry when he founded the Motorsport Industry Association in 1994, gaining long overdue Government recognition for the sector in its own right.
With a wealth of experience as the Commercial Director of both the Lola and Benetton F1 Teams and one of Aston Martin’s partner teams for whom he negotiated a high-profile sponsorship with Hiscox Insurance Group, Brian’s unrivalled understanding of ROI equips audiences with transformative guidance.
Brian has also been significantly involved as the F1 and Motorsport Industry Consultant to both Oxford Brookes and Wolverhampton Universities. Such experience makes him a naturally engaging speaker, based on decades of communication with clients and audiences alike.
Brian lives and breathes business. His passion for motorsport captivates both motorsport fans and general audiences alike, drawing them into the fast-paced, fiercely competitive world of motor racing. An event featuring this motorsport industry icon will guarantee star-studded stories, ranging from James Hunt to Paul Newman and from Max Moseley to the Great Train Robbery - he is guaranteed to leave a resounding impact.
Brian has a meaningful knowledge of global sales, based on several years spent in South Africa, race-driving, and through sponsorship, establishing the country’s first-ever motor racing school. He also spent time in the USA as Head of Motorsport for Octagon and with Lola Race Cars in IndyCar.
Having published his highly-rated autobiography, You Don’t Have to be a Champion to be a Winner! in 2019, Brian continues to be one of the most influential people in motorsport. Currently establishing the Historic Racing Association, Brian is also busy mentoring online in respect of sponsorship acquisition skills and advises on historic F1 documentary films. Brian continues to offer his guidance, including an exclusive article for Paddock magazine in 2021, and on the 'Drivers On Strike!' episode of the podcast, F1 On The Edge.
Unlike other motorsport speakers, Brian offers the best of both worlds. As an event entertainer, he regularly thrills audiences with his tales from the track, whilst as a sales speaker, he combines his captivating anecdotes with actionable takeaways to inform his attendees.
Awarded an Honorary Doctorate in 2018 by Birmingham City University in recognition of his achievements within the motorsport industry, Brian’s variety of offerings and leading knowledge make him a booking opportunity not to be missed.
