Manchester – Dubai-based entrepreneur and self-styled business guru Matt Haycox has been hit with a worldwide asset-freezing order worth £5.6 million by the UK High Court, amid ongoing legal claims over allegedly fraudulent investment dealings.
Haycox, known for hosting podcasts featuring celebrities, athletes, and politicians, is facing mounting legal and financial challenges after failing to comply with court orders. The freeze, imposed earlier this year, covers a range of high-value assets including a Hyde Park mansion flat, a Dubai Marina penthouse, Spanish properties, a yacht named Sea Squirter, a Ferrari 458, a Range Rover Sport, a Lamborghini, and even a Bored Ape cryptotoken.
High Court records reveal that Haycox failed to appear at a mandatory hearing at Manchester Civil Justice Centre in February for cross-examination on his assets. The hearing followed an application from tech entrepreneur Scott Fletcher, founder of ANS and Godel, and investment entity Lowry Trading.
Haycox claimed he missed his flight to Manchester due to a misspelled name on his airline ticket, which was booked by the claimants. He further stated he was unable to board a later flight after losing his passport along with his “man bag.” His request to attend the hearing via video link was denied.
The businessman, who was banned in 2010 from managing or directing any company until 2022 after an Insolvency Service investigation into his Northern lap-dancing business, has now been declared bankrupt for a year following a separate High Court action. The bankruptcy, initiated by insolvency practitioners from Grant Thornton on behalf of Huddle SPV 4, came after creditors lodged claims totaling £19.7 million. A return on these claims is deemed unlikely.
Haycox is facing civil claims for damages over allegedly fraudulent solicitation of investment into two entities: Huddle SPV 3 and SPV 20. He has denied the allegations in a filed legal defence.
Despite the legal challenges, Haycox has maintained an active online presence. In April, he shared photos from Everest Base Camp on Instagram, even as he was under court orders to appear in person in the UK.
His podcasts Stripping Off with Matt Haycox and No Bollocks with Matt Haycox have featured high-profile guests, including former England rugby captain Chris Robshaw, the Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson, and Dame Andrea Jenkyns—recently elected mayor of Greater Lincolnshire under the Reform UK party.
On his website, Haycox promotes himself as a leading voice in business, claiming to have provided over £500 million in funding to UK enterprises. He markets services in lending, consulting, co-investing, and private coaching, describing his public profile as one that spans television, philanthropy, and social media stardom.
When approached by The Times, Haycox insisted that “many of the assets mentioned I have not owned either ever or for many years.”
Court documents indicate he has been warned of possible contempt proceedings, which could lead to imprisonment or asset seizure, should he continue to ignore court orders.
