CONFERENCES

FLS hosted a launch conference in 2011. Contributors such as Baroness Sue Campbell discussed the importance of leadership in and through sport and the means by which this was best developed. We had the opportunity to discuss the findings of the FLS survey on ‘Learning to lead through Sport’. This conference served as a springboard for later workshops and conferences:

Below are highlights of our conferences. To see recordings of the whole event you need to access the members section of the website.

May 25, 2022 - ‘Staying at the top in Sport and Business in unpredictable times’

Annual FLS Conference, in partnership with Business West, Leigh Court, Bristol

Keynote presentation by Kevin Roberts

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

Fine cut Introduction.00_00_20_24.Still001.png

Fine cut Introduction.00_07_04_22.Still002.png

Fine cut Kevin Roberts.00_06_20_13.Still006.png

Fine cut Kevin Roberts.00_08_41_14.Still008.png

Fine cut Kevin Roberts.00_19_20_28.Still010.png

Fine cut Mike Higgins.00_02_33_06.Still001.png

Fine cut Mixed Panel Discussion.00_21_14_11.Still001.png

Fine cut Panel Discussion 01.00_01_45_02.Still001.png

Fine cut Panel Discussion 01.00_17_58_25.Still002.png

Fine cut Panel Discussion 01.00_24_44_54.Still006.png

Fine cut Panel Discussion 01.00_35_37_30.Still008.png

Fine cut Panel Discussion 01.00_40_19_33.Still009.png

Fine cut Panel Discussion 02.00_00_59_31.Still001.png

Fine cut Panel Discussion 02.00_07_49_00.Still004.png

Fine cut Panel Discussion 02.00_11_29_07.Still006.png

Fine cut Panel Discussion 02.00_13_47_48.Still008.png

Fine cut Panel Discussion 02.00_17_32_56.Still010.png

Fine cut Panel Discussion 02.00_19_24_50.Still013.png

Fine cut Summary.00_02_17_39.Still001.png

Fine cut Summary.00_07_24_57.Still005.png

Fine cut Summary.00_22_13_23.Still010.png

Our first live event for over a year took place on May 25, when we held a conference at Leigh Court, nr Bristol, the home of Business West. The theme was ’Staying at the top in sport and business in unpredictable times’. It was a huge success attended by a full-house of over 100 FLS members and guests. Kevin Roberts, former CEO of Saatchi and Saatchi, got the day off to a terrific start, as he explored his views on the leadership styles needed in a changing world. Mike Higgins, of Loughborough University, presented some of his important research findings on sustaining high performance in sport. Panel discussions provided leading figures in sport, business and the military with the opportunity to share experiences. These included Jess Thirlby (England netball), Eddie Jones (England rugby), Lt Col Henry Llewelyn-Usher (Centre for Army Leadership), Pat Lam (Bristol Bears), Richard Gould (CEO Bristol City FC), Paul Farbrace and Steve Snell (Directors of Cricket at Warwickshire and Gloucestershire CCC).

February 14, 2020 - ‘The Language of Leadership’

at Twickenham Stadium

Keynote presentation by David Marquet, author of ‘Leasership is Language’ with breakout groups and panel discussions.

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

In 2019, the FLS conference featured David Marquet, author of the best-selling book on leadership ‘Turn the ship around’. In the year since then, David has written another terrific book ‘Language is Leadership’. We were delighted to have its' UK launch at our Twickenham conference on Feb 14. The conference theme ‘The Language of Leadership’ was particularly relevant and the event was as successful as any we have held. David set things off in the morning, followed by a breakout session involving all 120 delegates.

In the afternoon, there were three panel discussions, involving a number of our FLS friends. Firstly, Appeal Court Judge Sir James Dingemans chaired a discussion about how business leaders communicate with colleagues. With him were Col Lucy Giles (President Army Selection Board), Richard Lloyd (Chairman Accolade Wines Ltd), David Sheepshanks (Chairman FA Technical Advisory Board) and Bill Sweeney (CEO Rugby Football Union).

This was followed by a discussion among International sports officials, Clare Daniels, Wayne Barnes and Tom Foley (Rugby), and David Coote (Soccer). This session on how referees communicate with players, was chaired by Huw Jennings, Academy Director at Fulham FC.

The third panel, discussing how coaches communicate with players, was chaired by Kevin Bowring, former RFU head of Elite Coach Development. The panel comprised four International coaches Jess thereby (Netball), Conor O’Shea (Rugby), Danny Kerry (Hockey) and Peter Moores (Cricket).

A marvellous summary of the day’s proceedings was then provided by Frank Dick, former GB head Athletics coach and now a consultant in sport and business.

Following all of this, delegates had a bonus, the opportunity to watch the England rugby team training on the Twickenham pitch.

November 6, 2018 - ‘Turning Followers into Leaders’

at Twickenham Stadium

Keynote presentation by David Marquet, author of ‘Turn the Ship Around’ with breakout groups and panel discussions.

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

The annual FLS conference, held in conjunction with Loughborough University London, took place at Twickenham on November 6th.

The theme ‘Turning followers into leaders’ proved to be of great interest to a wide range of members and others. David Marquet, whose book, ‘Turn the ship around’ has been a worldwide best-seller, came over specially from the USA, and enthralled the audience with his experiences in turning a ‘failing’ submarine into the best performing vessel in the US Navy. The discussion panel that followed provided excellent conversation involving Richard Hytner and leaders from sport, business and the military.

The afternoon was equally interesting. James Kerr, author of ‘Legacy- Lessons on Leadership from the All Blacks’ provided insight into what he learned having spent a long period in the company of the most successful sports team in history.

Clips from the conference can be seen on the FLS Videos page, with more comprehensive coverage in the secure members section.

September 15, 2017 - ‘Staying at the top- Challenging from the front in Sport and Business’

at Loughborough London University

A mix of presentations, panel debates and interactive discussion.

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

Loughborough University’s Olympic Park campus was again the setting for the LUL/FLS conference. This year’s theme was ‘Staying at the top- Challenging from the Front’.

A distinguished group of experts from sport, business and the military provided an entertaining and informative day. Keynote speakers were Danny Kerry, coach of the Olympic gold medal winning Womens Hockey team, and England Rugby coach Eddie Jones.

They provided insights into the issues associated with sustaining success.

Other contributors included Chris Casper, Sporting Director of Salford City FC, Kate Richardson-Walsh, GB Hockey captain, Sarah Hunter, England Rugby captain and Premier League rugby player, George Robson.

From the worlds of military and business we had Lt Col Lucy Giles (Commander New College Sandhurst), Andy Cosslett (RFU Chairman), Harry Keogh (Managing Director Coutts Bank), Richard Gray (Commercial Director, Grays of Cambridge).

May 5, 2016 - ‘Developing leaders in and through Sport by exploring innovative approaches to coaching’

Jointly hosted with Loughborough University at Loughborough's new London campus in Olympic Park.