SPORT SPEAKERS | MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKERS

Mike Hesson

Former Black Caps Head Coach, 2015 World Cup Finalist Coach & High-

Performance Leader

Mike Hesson ONZM is one of the most respected cricket coaches in the world — the longest-serving Black Caps head coach in history, the man who took New Zealand to the 2015 Cricket World Cup final, and a calm, modern team-builder now coaching the Pakistan men's white-ball side.

Who is Mike Hesson?

Born in Dunedin in 1974, Mike never played first-class cricket but committed to coaching in his early 20s — becoming the youngest person to achieve NZC's level-three coaching qualification at 23. He spent 15 years in Otago cricket, including six successful years as head coach, before moving to international roles.

Career Highlights

  • Black Caps head coach (2012–2018) — longest-serving coach in NZ history

  • Guided the Black Caps to the final of the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup

  • Led the team to a 13-match winning streak across formats

  • First Black Caps Test and ODI series win in South Africa

  • 4–0 ODI series win over India at home in 2014

  • Took the Black Caps to the No. 1 T20I ranking for the first time in May 2016

  • ONZM for services to cricket; ICC Cricket Committee coaches representative

  • Head coach of the Pakistan men's white-ball teams (since 2025)

Key Speaking Themes

  • Building world-class team culture from the inside out

  • Calm leadership and decision-making under pressure

  • Talent identification, development and trust

  • Managing change, transition and difficult conversations

  • High performance across cultures and codes

What Your Audience Will Gain

A deeply considered, no-ego look at modern leadership from someone who genuinely transformed a national team. Mike doesn't trade on stories alone — he gives audiences a framework for culture, communication and standards that translates straight into business, education and sport.

Ideal For

  • Leadership and high-performance conferences

  • Sales conferences and corporate keynotes

  • Sports administrators, coaches and academies

  • Culture, talent and people-development sessions

  • Sponsor events and after-dinner functions

Frequently Asked Questions about Mike Hesson

What does Mike Hesson speak about? Team culture, leadership, high performance, talent development and the lessons of coaching at the very top of international sport.

What is Mike Hesson best known for? Coaching the Black Caps from 2012 to 2018, taking them to the 2015 Cricket World Cup final and the world No. 1 T20I ranking.

Has Mike Hesson received any honours? Yes — he was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for services to cricket.

Where is Mike Hesson now? He has been the head coach of Pakistan's men's white-ball cricket teams (ODIs and T20Is) since May 2025.

Has Mike Hesson worked in T20 franchise cricket? Yes — he has held senior roles with Kings XI Punjab and Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL, and head coach of Islamabad United in the PSL.

Is Mike Hesson available for keynotes in NZ? Yes. Mike speaks at corporate, sporting and leadership events around NZ when his coaching commitments allow.