Rugby Legend Who Captained Wales to Grand Slam Victory, Named Most Influential Gay Person in the UK, Presenter of Gareth Thomas: HIV and Me & TED Speaker
Gareth Thomas’ Biography:
Gareth Thomas is one of the most iconic figures in rugby history and a pioneering voice for inclusivity and resilience. A former captain of Wales and the British & Irish Lions, he remains the second-highest try scorer in Welsh rugby history and one of the most capped players for his country. Revered for his strength both on and off the field, Gareth has become a global advocate for equality, mental health, and HIV awareness, inspiring millions through his openness and leadership.
Born in Bridgend, Wales, Gareth’s rugby journey began with his local club before rising to international prominence. His passion and skill earned him over 100 caps for Wales, and in 2005, he led his nation to their first Grand Slam victory in 27 years. That same tenacity saw him represent the British & Irish Lions, cementing his reputation as one of the sport’s most respected captains. His courage extended far beyond the pitch when, in 2009, Gareth became the first openly gay professional rugby union player, breaking barriers and transforming perceptions in sport.
Since retiring from rugby, Gareth has dedicated himself to activism and storytelling. His documentary Gareth Thomas: HIV and Me received widespread acclaim for its honesty and impact, helping to challenge the stigma surrounding HIV. His bestselling autobiography, ‘Proud’, won the Sports Book of the Year, and he later published ‘Stronger’ and ‘Alfie! The Gareth Thomas Story’, sharing lessons of vulnerability, identity, and perseverance. In recognition of his contributions, he was appointed a CBE for services to sport and health and awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science from Queen Mary University of London.
Today, Gareth continues to appear across television and media, including Celebrity Big Brother, Dancing on Ice, and The Jump, using his platform to promote acceptance and self-empowerment. He remains a respected public figure whose influence extends well beyond sport.
Why Hire Gareth Thomas?
Gareth Thomas is an inspiring and authentic speaker whose talks explore resilience, leadership, and breaking down barriers. His ability to connect with audiences on a deeply personal level makes him a powerful presence on stage. In his TEDx Talk, “How to Tackle the Stigma of Living with HIV“, Gareth offers an unflinching perspective on vulnerability, strength, and acceptance, encouraging audiences to overcome prejudice and live with courage and compassion. His story motivates teams and individuals alike to embrace diversity, mental well-being, and the power of authenticity.
Career Highlights:
Here are some of the key milestones that define Gareth Thomas’ extraordinary career:
- 2025 – Led the ‘Tackle HIV’ campaign and launched the “Challenging Stigma” garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show to raise awareness of HIV and challenge stigma surrounding the condition.
- 2024 – Received an Honorary Doctor of Science from Queen Mary University of London in recognition of his outstanding contributions to sport, health, and social advocacy.
- 2022 – Delivered his TEDx Talk “How to Tackle the Stigma of Living with HIV,” inspiring audiences with his openness and determination to challenge prejudice.
- 2020 – Appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for his services to sport and health awareness.
- 2015 – Won the Sports Book of the Year Award for his best-selling autobiography ‘Proud’, which detailed his rugby career and personal journey.
- 2010 – Named Stonewall’s Hero of the Year for his courage and dedication to promoting LGBTQ+ inclusion in sports.
- 2010 – Listed by The Independent as the Most Influential Gay Person in the UK for his role in changing perceptions of sexuality in sport.
- 2009 – Made history by becoming the first openly gay professional rugby union player, paving the way for greater acceptance in athletics.
- 2005 – Captained Wales to their first Grand Slam victory in 27 years, solidifying his legacy as one of the nation’s greatest rugby leaders.
- 2001 – Led the British & Irish Lions on their international tour, earning respect for his leadership both on and off the field.
- 1995 – Made his debut for the Wales national rugby team, going on to achieve over 100 caps and becoming one of the country’s most celebrated players.
Videos
Gareth Thomas’ Official Keynote Speaking Videos & Showreel:
Testimonials
‘It really was an amazing event, you guys and the BRG are amazing, impressive and courageous. Both Kellie and Gareth were so open and honest, we are really priveledged to have had them visit the office and share. Thank you so much.’ – CMAS
‘My own personal take away was Gareth describing ‘how faster you can run, how higher you can jump’ when the burden had been lifted after he came out.’ – CMAS
“The event was a resounding success and Gareth Thomas was absolutely amazing. Professional, accommodating, attention to detail and incredible fun. It is by far the best event that I have hosted so far. Gareth did not disappoint in any way whatsoever. All my guests are still raving about the event and “Alfie” this morning.”- Loredana Williams – IWC
“We all very much appreciated his kindness and honesty in sharing his journey with us. Gareth was a huge hit and we have received nothing but positive feedback about the evening from clients and staff alike.” – Stephenson Howard Law Firm
“Wow, wow, wow !! My favourite so far. Gareth was truly inspirational, made us laugh and cry. We have never had a speaker receive such a long round of applause before. Everyone was talking about it afterwards. Thank you very much for another great speaker, look forward to working with you again very soon.” – UHY Hacker Young
“I thought I would just let you know that our event was a huge success! Gareth was a fantastic speaker and an all-round lovely guy. The feedback from my colleagues was all very positive, one even said that he was the best speaker we have ever had! Now the challenge is to find someone just as good for our November event!” – Cleo Phillips – PGIM Real Estate
“Gareth was amazing yesterday, such a lovely friendly guy, and his talk was extremely emotional and powerful. We have had some fantastic feedback. Please pass on my thanks to Gareth, it was great to have him here taking part in our Pride events for 2019.” – Jennie, Shop Direct
“Thanks so much for the suggestion – he is doing amazingly with media.” – Josh, Head of Regions, Broadcast Revolution
“He was amazing! He had everyone in tears. Wonderful feedback – I will forward on some of the comments from our webcast in the next few days so that you and he can see them.” – Sian, Senior Manager, Novartis
“No it all went incredibly! We have had the most overwhelmingly great response!” – Rebecca, HR Advisor, Danone plc
“As part of a three-day event celebrating the best of British cultural journalism, Newsworks hired Gareth Thomas as a speaker as part of a live podcast recording with The Daily Mail’s Bryony Gordon. Gareth was very honest and inspiring; he opened up about tough subjects such as mental health struggles surrounding homophobia and toxic masculinity that still exists in sport and the stigma around people living with HIV. His messaging will make a difference to the audience in the room and those who will listen to the recording. Gareth was also such a delight with all the staff and left a great and lasting impression.” – Coral, Media Executive, Newsworks
Topics
Gareth Thomas’ Official Keynote Topics:
- Overcoming adversity
- Effective Leadership & Teamwork
- LGBT Representation in Professional Environments
- Playing Top-Level Sport
- The stigma of homosexuality within the sports industry
- Diversity and inclusion
- Captaining a National Side
How Much Does Gareth Thomas Cost to Hire?
How Much Does it Cost to Hire Gareth Thomas?
The cost of hiring Gareth Thomas depends on your event type, size and delivery format. Fees vary for in-person and virtual events. For an accurate quote and expert booking advice, contact a London Keynote Speakers Agency representative.