haywood was born in brisbane, australia to british parents. he grew up in the english lake district and began playing the piano at the age of four. he studied with david hartigan from chetham's school of music and at the age of 13 won second prize in the piano final of bbc young musician of the year. in 1989 he was awarded the julius isserlis scholarship by the royal philharmonic society and moved to vienna to study with paul badura-skoda. he continued his studies with maria curcio at the royal academy of music, after which he moved to berlin.