Football Speakers

Eniola Aluko

The former Juventus, England and Chelsea striker was a natural goalscorer and a leading talent in the women’s game. She won Super League and Serie A titles as well as FA Cups, and played over 100 internationals. She served as Aston Villa Women's sporting director. Off the pitch she’s a lawyer, having qualified in the US and worked in the City. She's a regular pundit and commentator on both the men's and women's game, becoming the first woman pundit on Match of the Day. She hit the headlines with her stand against the discrimination, outdated behaviou...

Baroness (Karren) Brady

Karren ran the business side of Birmingham City FC through promotion, relegation – and brain surgery. Karren’s mantra for leaders growing any enterprise can be summed up in 5 tips: work hard (be persistent); use every opportunity to network (spread your message); move on (failure is history); don’t get side-tracked, and do your sums.

Clarke Carlisle

Clarke made over 500 senior level appearances and led the football players’ union. He has also written a powerful memoir. Clarke is open about his struggles with alcohol, depression and gambling – the strains of a multi-billion pound industry in which both fans and club believe they own you. He’s similarly candid about racism and the Kick It Out campaign. Clarke talks about diversity and culture change in a game traditionally associated with macho behaviour.

Pierluigi Collina

Pierluigi is the most widely admired of all World Cup referees. The one-time financial advisor argues that he practised a simple creed as relevant to business as football: analyse each team’s tactics to ensure you’re in the right place at the right time; defuse any tense situation quickly and fairly; and above all learn from your mistakes: “In a fast moving environment, with a number of factors in play, use all the resources at your disposal to make the best possible decision.”

Rio Ferdinand

One of the most decorated players in the modern era, Rio’s career took in over 600 appearances for club and country, including over 300 games for a Manchester United team that won six Premier League titles and the Premier League and Champions’ League double. He has since become a popular pundit, he has interests in business and his own charitable foundation, and was lauded for his frank discussion of his experience of bereavement and mental health.

Mike Forde

As Director of Football Operations at Chelsea FC, Mike had overall responsibility for everything from recruitment to performance. He has also worked with Team Sky, and NFL and NBA teams, including NBA champions the San Antonio Spurs. He draws parallels between the requirements of business and sport, and explains the importance of analysis and adapting performance in a sector where return on investment is crucial.

Graeme le Saux

Graeme studied environmental science then signed to Chelsea – winning FA Cup, League and European honours. He’s since taken to commentating for NBC and dispensing expert advice for the City, travelling with the Prime Minister on a trade mission to China. Graeme uncovers the real business of football.

Jim McGuinness

Jim has had a successful career as both a player and manager. He has transitioned from coaching Gaelic Football to coaching soccer. Jim became the first All-Ireland winning coach to also coach a professional soccer team. He has had stints with Celtic and Beijing Sinobo Guoan FC as he looks to develop his managerial career. 

Paul McVeigh

International and Premier League player Paul helped Norwich City win promotion to the top tier of the English game. Since hanging up his boots he has published The Stupid Footballer Is Dead examining the mental as well as physical demands of the modern game. He’s also turned full-time consultant, taken his Masters in sport psychology, and taken on a performance psychology role at Crystal Palace. Drawing on experience of one of the most demanding leagues in the world, Paul speaks to audiences about understanding the choices you have, how to deal with pressure, and working to defined...

Scotty Mills

As Britain's highest-ranking black Royal Marine, Scotty passes on his wisdom to some of the world's most elite performers, both as a team-leadership coach and as a motivational speaker. He was a driving force behind the success of the England football team at the 2018 World Cup and continues to work in the world of elite sport and business to develop innovative leadership, team cohesion and peak performance.

Stuart Pearce

Stuart moved up the ranks from non-league football to playing for England and managing both U21 and Team GB squads, and Manchester City. He is used to working under pressure: famously missing a penalty at Italia 90, scoring at Euro 96 – and deciding not to pick an out-of-form Beckham at London 2012. Stuart talks from hard-earned experience about beating his doubts, taking big risks, making tough decisions and “delivering your best to your employers.”

Alex Scott

After captaining Arsenal and playing over 100 matches for England, Alex is now one of the best-known faces in sports broadcasting. She's broken down barriers to become the first woman to commentate on men’s international and club matches for the BBC and Sky respectively. She has also hosted a game show, coverage of Tokyo’s Olympics and The One Show.

Jill Scott

Former England international Jill Scott had an illustrious eighteen year playing career with Manchester City, Everton, Sunderland, and Aston Villa. She won Euro 2022 with the Lionesses in her final game as a professional, and as the second-highest capped player.

Sir Gareth Southgate

After an impressive career on and off the pitch, as player, club manager, pundit and FA development director, Gareth led the England team to their first World Cup semi-final in 28 years as well as to two successive Euros finals. He created a widely-admired team culture of unity, determination, openness and professionalism and was praised for his open, intelligent leadership style.

Arsène Wenger

The longest-serving manager in top-flight English football, Arsène was also one of the most successful. He introduced new levels of professionalism, talent development and performance culture to the game. He focused on stylish performances on the pitch and new techniques behind the scenes. In 22 years in charge he won three league titles and seven FA Cups, including the Premier League and FA Cup double twice.

Ellen White

Ellen has enjoyed many memorable moments during her career as an England international player. She is the record England women’s goal scorer and has competed at three FIFA Women's World Cup tournaments. Ellen also earned the Bronze Boot award at the FIFA Women's World Cup in France, and was named England's International Player of the Year three times.