Arriving from England in 1853, he became prominent in Bunbury and the surrounding area, serving a term as the town's mayor.

He came to Western Australia in September 1853, and went into partnership with his cousin, Robert Henry Rose.

Their ventures were largely unsuccessful and they eventually went their separate ways, with Hayward purchasing a property of 4,136 acres (16.74 km2) south of Harvey (in what is now Wokalup).

[1] Having retired from his business in 1898, Hayward stood for parliament at the 1901 state election, winning the seat of Bunbury.

[2] A few years previously, he had set a new record as Western Australia's oldest sitting parliamentarian, surpassing William Spencer.