Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Timeline
References
Generic
Matt Stevens

Matt Stevens

Director of Sales Development, EMEA
London

Summary

High-performing sales leader with a track record of building and scaling SDR (inbound & outbound) and Inside Sales teams that consistently exceed pipeline and revenue targets. Currently leading Sales Development across EMEA at Similarweb, delivering $2M+ in new business annually and driving strategic GTM initiatives that elevate outbound performance and efficiency—including a 240% increase in win rates and a 65% growth in average deal size over the past three years.

Renowned for building inclusive, performance-driven cultures and coaching SDRs into confident, capable commercial professionals. A natural storyteller and empathetic communicator, leading with clarity, inspiring through presence, and fostering resilience and growth under pressure.

My leadership style is shaped by a diverse journey—from the stages of London’s West End to the fast-paced world of SaaS sales. After training in musical theatre at Mountview Academy and performing professionally for several years (where I also met my wife), I transitioned into sales, bringing with me a strong sense of presence, storytelling, and connection. That background still guides me today.

As a certified Circl Leader as Coach, I champion coaching-led leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and strategic change.

From the stage to the sales floor, one thing has always held true: pitch matters—in music and in business.

Overview

15
15
years of professional experience

Work history

Director of Sales Development, EMEA

Similarweb
London
10.2022 - 05.2025

At Similarweb, my leadership was defined by driving performance through efficiency. Amid significant organisational changes, including multiple headcount reductions and team restructures, I successfully optimised the SDR function to maintain, and even exceed, pipeline generation goals. By refining processes, elevating talent, and focusing on high-impact activities, I preserved a high-performing culture that consistently delivered strong revenue and pipeline results despite reduced resources.


  • Delivered $2.2M in net new revenue in 2023 (105% YoY growth), and $2.05M in 2024, achieving 75% of a $2.7M annual target during a period of organisational realignment, including $1.4M in H1 2024 (104% to H1 goal).
  • Surpassed 2024 pipeline goal, generating £13.73M against a £12.82M target (107%) despite headcount reductions.
  • Increased average deal size by 65% to £54K in 2024 through strategic account segmentation, and defined named account lists.
  • Increased deal volume from 33 to 57 (YoY '23-'24), improving win rates from 5% to 13–17% during tenure.
  • Led SDR org redesigns during downsizing, preserving 95% of pipeline output with 40% fewer resources.
  • Developed SDR career progression framework; 3 SDRs promoted internally to Inside Sales teams in 2024.
  • Launched MIR (Inbound SDR) intake programme, reducing time-to-hire and creating a high-quality talent pipeline, enabling rapid backfill of roles and seamless promotion of top performers, with four advancing into the core SDR team.

Senior Manager of Sales Development, UK & Europe

Similarweb
London
02.2022 - 10.2022
  • Restructured SDR team from 14 to 8 by optimising outbound cadence strategy and aligning reps to accounts based on language fluency and ownership tiers—driving efficiency gains that increased completion rates from 67% to 83% and improved win rates from below 6% to 17%.
  • Engineered a data-driven, 18-step outbound cadence that tripled SDR outreach and doubled qualified meetings.
  • Generated $1.07M ARR in Year 1, representing 33% YoY rise from '21 to '22 alongside 27% YoY deal size growth from $26,250 to $32,500.

UK Head of Account Development & Inside Sales

Trustpilot
London
09.2017 - 02.2022

My time at Trustpilot was defined by scaling the rocketship—from startup to IPO—as I built and led high-performing SDR and Inside Sales teams that consistently outpaced pipeline and revenue expectations. I began with a lean team of 4 reps and, over five years, scaled the function to 18 across outbound SDRs (10), inbound SDRs (3), and Inside Sales BDMs (5), transforming a £200K quarterly revenue baseline into a £2M+ quarterly revenue-generating engine.

Quarter after quarter, my teams achieved 150% to 200% of target (SQO & revenue), raising the bar so consistently that our record-breaking performance often became the next quarter's benchmark. This momentum drove deeper investment in the function and cemented Sales Development as a key growth lever.

To sustain this scale and performance, I implemented structured outbound and inbound cadences, optimised account coverage by segment and territory, introduced new incentive plans, and developed clear promotion pathways to retain and advance top talent—all while fostering a culture grounded in inclusion, coaching, and commercial discipline. I also introduced a lead-scoring framework and defined SLAs by score to ensure timely, high-quality follow-up and maximise conversion efficiency across the funnel.


  • Built and led a new Inside Sales team of five Business Development Managers, primarily promoted from within (SDRs and existing sales talent)—achieving 110% of target in the team's first half post-launch (H2 2021), generating £412,500 against a £375,000 goal
  • Focused the team on SMB inbound leads while developing self-sourced outbound pipeline based on Ideal Customer Profiles (ICPs) and competitor segments where we had strong win rates
  • Collaborated closely with Marketing and Sales Ops to drive ICP-based lead generation, align on scoring models and SLAs, and ensure a consistent flow of high-quality opportunities
  • Led a team of 13 SDRs, subsequently structured under two SDR Managers; maintained a high-performance culture through coaching, enablement, and a focus on metrics and development
  • Introduced structured cadences, KPI frameworks, performance management and promotion pathways to elevate SDR performance and support sustainable team development
  • Designed and implemented commission plans and ambitious targets aligned with company GTM strategy and revenue goals
  • Achieved record ADR team performance across inbound and outbound channels, delivering £2.2M in quarterly revenue against a £1.08M target
  • Driving over 60% of UK sales revenue via SDR-sourced SQOs, establishing the team as the engine of pipeline generation and sales momentum
  • Developed career progression frameworks and internal mobility pathways that resulted in multiple promotions into Sales, Account Management, and Customer Success functions
  • Hired 2 SDR Managers and 1 Sales Manager as part of a structured succession plan to support continuity during my transition out of the business
  • Selected for Trustpilot’s first global AllStar programme—recognised as one of the top 20 performers company-wide and the only commercial leader selected from the UK office; awarded President’s Club in both 2017 and 2018 for top team performance

Team Leader - Account Development

Trustpilot
London
09.2016 - 09.2017
  • Took ownership of a newly formed ADR team of 4, establishing core processes, workflows, and performance expectations to create a scalable, high-performing foundation.
  • Defined the ADR role, implemented baseline KPIs, and introduced structured call coaching and training for consistent development.
  • Initiated the design of the inbound ADR motion and piloted initial strategies for handling high-intent leads.
  • Collaborated closely with Sales and Marketing leadership to align qualification criteria and optimise lead handover processes.
  • Championed a performance-driven team culture focused on learning, collaboration, and early wins, laying the groundwork for future headcount expansion and revenue growth.

Business Development Manager

Trustpilot
London
05.2015 - 09.2016

Responsible for developing new business across multiple sectors. Working to develop and close new business opportunities whilst providing a first class service within the UK Market.

- Consistent achievement of monthly quota, and exceeding meeting goals leading to offer of team leader role.
- Most meetings secured within business development in 2016.
- Sharpshooter award 2016 for quota attainment.
- Full Sandler sales training in Copenhagen resulting in passing sales assessment with distinction.

Sales Executive

LaingBuisson
London
06.2012 - 05.2015
  • Consistently exceeded monthly, quarterly, and annual KPIs, achieving 105% in Year 1, 120% in Year 2, and 140% in Year 3, ranked 2nd highest performer in a team of 5.
  • Sold a wide portfolio of commercial products, including market reports, event sponsorships, conference and awards tables, and exhibition space.
  • Built and maintained strong relationships with C-level decision-makers across the independent health and social care sectors.
  • Played a key role in driving revenue growth across flagship industry events and publications.

Telesales Executive

RSVP (Media Response) Ltd
London
05.2010 - 05.2012
  • Worked in a high-volume, KPI-driven B2C telesales environment, engaging prospective clients to promote and sell products, trials, and subscription services.
  • Delivered consistent performance across multiple campaigns, often supporting field sales by securing qualified appointments.
  • Maintained strong conversion rates while juggling flexible availability between theatre contracts.
  • Regularly re-engaged by the business due to strong sales performance and reliability during peak campaign periods.

Education

Master of Arts - Musical Theatre

Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts
London
09.2006

Skills

Sales Development Leadership

SDR/BDR programme design (inbound & outbound), pipeline generation, funnel optimisation, high-intent lead conversion, target setting, commission planning, account segmentation

People Leadership & Coaching

Team building, performance management, career progression planning, succession planning, coaching & mentoring (Certified Circl: Leader as Coach), inclusive leadership, culture development

Go-to-Market Strategy

Cross-functional GTM alignment (Sales, Marketing, RevOps), sales development strategy, named account targeting, change management, organisational design

Sales Methodologies & Enablement

MEDDICC, BANT, Sandler Sales coaching & AI enablement tools: Gong, Chorus, Replicate, ChatGPT

Tech Stack & Sales Operations

CRM & Workflow Automation: Salesforce
Sales Engagement Platforms: Salesloft, Outreach
Sales Intelligence Tools: LinkedIn Sales Navigator, ZoomInfo, Similarweb SI, Cognism, Lusha
Analytics & Reporting: Looker, Tableau, SAP Web Intelligence (WeBI), Excel

Affiliations

  • Musical Theatre & Singing – Trained at Mountview Academy and performed professionally in the West End and UK tours. Lifelong passion for music, performance, and storytelling.
  • Martial Arts – Practised Judo, Kung-Fu, and Karate as a child; now retraining in Karate alongside my son—combining discipline with shared father–son adventures.
  • Competitive Swimming – Swam at a competitive level from ages 7 to 18. Learned the value of resilience, focus, and hitting personal bests. Lessons that still fuel my drive today.
  • Home Renovation & Landscaping – Keen DIYer and landscape gardener. After watching too much Grand Designs, I now (over)confidently believe I can do it all myself.
  • Family & Coaching – Passionate about fatherhood, inclusive leadership, and helping others grow—whether in the dojo, the garden, or the workplace.
  • Travel & Freediving – Always seeking adventure, especially in the ocean.

Timeline

Director of Sales Development, EMEA

Similarweb
10.2022 - 05.2025

Senior Manager of Sales Development, UK & Europe

Similarweb
02.2022 - 10.2022

UK Head of Account Development & Inside Sales

Trustpilot
09.2017 - 02.2022

Team Leader - Account Development

Trustpilot
09.2016 - 09.2017

Business Development Manager

Trustpilot
05.2015 - 09.2016

Sales Executive

LaingBuisson
06.2012 - 05.2015

Telesales Executive

RSVP (Media Response) Ltd
05.2010 - 05.2012

Master of Arts - Musical Theatre

Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts

References

References available upon request.
Matt StevensDirector of Sales Development, EMEA