Steve Hayes (businessman)

Originally a double glazing salesman, Hayes also worked for his father-in-law selling secondary mortgages.^[1]

In 1997 with David Cowham he founded loans.co.uk, a Watford headquartered finance broker. Hayes became Chief Executive, expanding the firm to become the UK's then leading finance broker, on an earnings package of £5.5million in 2004/2005. In June 2005, Cowham and Hayes sold loans.co.uk to MBNA for an undisclosed amount, reported to be worth £50million to each partner.^[2]

Hayes became a 25% shareholder in Wycombe Wanderers through an initial £250,000 investment in June 2004, when the football club became a plc. He later became managing director.^[3]

In July 2009, following a shareholders' meeting, he took full ownership of Wycombe Wanderers,^[4] in the process writing off £3m of the club's debt to him in exchange for shares. In June 2012 the Wycombe Wanderers Trust bought the club from Steve Hayes.

Hayes bought an 11.6% stake in London Wasps Holdings Ltd in August 2007,^[5][6] and became chairman of Lawrence Dallaglio's benefit committee.^[7] In December 2008, Hayes bought Chrysalis Records founder Chris Wright's controlling interest and John O'Connell's shareholding in London Wasps to take complete control.^[8][9][10]

In June 2012, a consortium led by former London Wasps player Ken Moss purchased the rugby club from Hayes.^{[citation needed]}