Former England Head Coach During the 2003 Rugby World Cup Win, Director of Sport for the British Olympic Association & Inductee into the World Rugby Hall of Fame
Clive Woodward’s Biography:
Sir Clive Woodward is one of the most respected figures in international sport, best known as the Head Coach who led England’s men’s rugby team to their historic 2003 Rugby World Cup victory. A visionary leader, he transformed English rugby through innovation, discipline, and an unrelenting focus on high performance. His philosophy of “Teamship,” combined with his pioneering concept of TCUP (Thinking Correctly Under Pressure), redefined elite coaching and leadership, influencing not only sport but also business and organisational culture worldwide.
Before his illustrious coaching career, Clive earned 21 caps playing for England and represented the British and Irish Lions. After retiring from professional rugby, he transitioned into business, working in management before returning to sport to lead England’s national team in 1997. His analytical approach and commitment to marginal gains culminated in England’s World Cup triumph six years later, earning him the title of IRB International Coach of the Year and a knighthood for services to rugby.
Following his success with England, Clive applied his expertise across multiple disciplines. He served as Performance Director of Southampton Football Club and Director of Elite Performance for the British Olympic Association, where he played a key role in preparing Team GB for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. His leadership extended beyond coaching, taking on roles as Non-Executive Director at Leicester Tigers and Honorary President of the Wooden Spoon Society. In addition, he was inducted into the IRB Hall of Fame in 2011, cementing his place among rugby’s greats.
Alongside his sporting achievements, Clive is a celebrated author and commentator. His bestselling books ‘Winning!‘ and ‘How to Win: Rugby Leadership From Twickenham to Tokyo’ share his practical insights on leadership, teamwork, and peak performance. A regular pundit for ITV Sport, he continues to inspire audiences worldwide with his clear vision of how preparation, innovation, and mindset drive success both on and off the field.
Why Hire Clive Woodward?
Sir Clive Woodward is a world-class keynote speaker who delivers transformative insights on leadership, teamwork, and creating high-performance environments. His speaking topics include The DNA of a Champion, Building a Winning Culture, Relentless Learning, Thinking Correctly Under Pressure (TCUP), and more. Drawing from his experience leading England to World Cup victory and working with Olympic athletes, he equips audiences with the tools to lead effectively under pressure, foster innovation, and sustain excellence. His sessions are engaging, motivational, and tailored to help individuals and organisations perform at their absolute best.
Sir Clive Woodward’s Career Highlights:
Here are some of the key milestones that define Clive Woodward’s extraordinary career throughout rugby:
- 2025 – Sir Clive Woodward delivered a guest lecture titled “DNA of a Champion” at Queen Anne’s School
- 2023 – Starred on The Accelerating Excellence Podcast with James King, discussing leadership and peak performance.
- 2011 – Inducted into the IRB Hall of Fame in recognition of his contribution to international rugby.
- 2008 – Served as Deputy Chef de Mission for Team GB at the Beijing Olympic Games.
- 2007 – Appointed Non-Executive Director on the Board of Leicester Tigers.
- 2006 – Became Director of Elite Performance for the British Olympic Association.
- 2005 – Served as Performance Director for Southampton Football Club.
- 2005 – Coached the British & Irish Lions Tour to New Zealand.
- 2004 – Published his autobiography Winning! and received an Honorary Doctor of Technology from Loughborough University.
- 2003 – Led England to Rugby World Cup victory and was named IRB International Coach of the Year.
- 1997 – Appointed Head Coach of the England Men’s National Rugby Union Team.
- 1980 – Represented England as an international rugby player, achieving 21 caps for his country.
Videos
Clive Woodward’s Official Keynote Speaking Videos & Showreel:
Testimonials
“Just wanted to pass on our thanks to Sir Woodward for speaking at our meeting on Friday. He was extremely engaging, and we’ve already had some fantastic feedback from the client and their teams; please pass on our thanks and best wishes.” – Harry, H4B Manchester
“The presentation from Sir Clive was very engaging and very much appreciated by our audience who were provided with some useful insights which they could take away and apply in their day to day lives. Sir Clive and Matt were a pleasure to work with in the lead up to the event, allowing us the opportunity to run through the platform with them on a couple of occasions. Sir Clive’s willingness to answer some additional questions post event was also very much appreciated as well as his engagement on social media pre-event.” – Sophie, Ciob
“We have received excellent feedback on Sir Clive’s speech. We were looking for something relevant to leadership and teamwork with a focus on sustaining high performance. The credibility of techniques that have been tried and tested in both the business and sporting world were key to our audience of high performing experienced professionals. The sporting examples were of course incredibly engaging to an audience that has an interest in the people and events in Sir Clive’s background. We did a Q and A session which was very enjoyable as he was naturally at ease in telling anecdotes, quick-witted and funny. The team was very helpful and easy to deal with” – Karen, Carey Olsen
“Sir Clive was a pleasure to have with us last Wednesday, he was very professional and personable and nothing seemed to be too much of an ask. Our clients CEO was extremely happy that the brief was met and enjoyed his company for the evening. The delegates remained engaged throughout the speech and enjoyed the Q&A where Sir Clive stood and answered questions and provided anecdotes of his career that were very entertaining. The use of slides and video clips were well used throughout and the clear link to his leadership style through business and sport was very well received. We would undoubtedly recommend Sir Clive to speak at future events.” – Anya, Force Four Creative Ltd
“The whole night was a success but CW was the star attraction and there was a really good atmosphere from start to finish. Sir Clive was on time at 6:30 and stayed for drinks up on the walkway – and was spot on in between! Signed every book (all 70 went to new homes), gave an “inspirational” presentation getting plenty of laughs too in the right places.” – Thomson Reuters
Topics
Sir Clive Woodward’s Official Keynote Topics:
- DNA of a Champion
- Winning Culture
- Relentless Learning
- Tackling Change
- The Power of Data & Technology
- Psychological Safety
- Resilience
How Much Does Sir Clive Woodward Cost to Hire?
How Much Does it Cost to Hire Sir Clive Woodward?
The cost of hiring Sir Clive Woodward depends on factors such as your event requirements, whether it’s in-person or virtual, and any travel or accommodation needs. To receive an accurate quote, contact a London Keynote Speakers Agency booking agent for expert guidance.