Andrew Hayden studied Music with Applied Physics at Surrey University graduating in 1978. He was a pupil of Richard Hickox and Robert Munns gaining FTCL under the latter's tutelage. His early years were spent in sound engineering in Germany and as a postgraduate researcher leading to an MPhil in the history of radio drama recording technique. More recently, he completed a ground-breaking PhD at Cardiff University on 'The Organs and Organists of Great Yarmouth, St Nicholas 1733-1894'.

Continuing in the great tradition of Andrew Freeman, Gilbert Benham and Bernard Edmonds, his passion for the organ, combined with an almost equal passion for photography, led him to undertake the lifetime 'Star Organs of Britain' project documenting the British organ at the beginning of the 21st century for future generations. It is intended, eventually, to deposit the collection of photographs and negatives with the British Organ Archive as part of the Archive's reference collections.

As an organ consultant he has been active for nearly twenty years. His experience of the instrument from both a playing and a technical standpoint as a church musician is extensive with a strong focus on project fundraising and guidance particularly where resources are limited, and, from his experience as BIOS Casework Officer, mediation in instances where a way forward appears elusive. He has a particular interest in the work of northern builders such as Forster & Andrews, Wordsworth & Maskell and Isaac Abbott.

Well known for his historical feature articles in The Organ and Choir & Organ, he was one of the team of organists for the East Anglian Historic Organs Sound Archive project.

Advice can range from single condition and status reports to full project supervision with close attention paid to organbuilder/client-matching and relations. Coverage is throughout the United Kingdom.

He is also an accredited member of the Association of Independent Organ Advisors and an assessor for the BIOS Historic Organs Certification Scheme.