Ollie Phillips: Sporting Legend

Highlights:
  • Rugby Icon: Ollie Phillips is a former England Rugby Sevens captain and one of the most successful players in the history of the sport. He was named World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year in 2009.
  • World-Class Career: Representing England, Ollie played in 60 tournaments on the World Sevens Series circuit, earning 11 tournament victories and multiple podium finishes. His dynamic style and leadership made him a fan favorite and a revered name in rugby.
  • Transition to Leadership: After retiring from professional rugby, Ollie transitioned into business and leadership development, applying his expertise in teamwork, resilience, and high-performance culture to inspire corporate audiences.
  • Adventurer and Record-Holder: Beyond rugby, Ollie has led extreme expeditions, including a Guinness World Record for the highest game of rugby ever played on Mount Everest. These adventures highlight his passion for pushing boundaries and embracing challenges.
  • Inspirational Speaker: Ollie captivates audiences with stories from his career and expeditions, offering insights on leadership, resilience, teamwork, and achieving peak performance under pressure.

Formats:
Audience:
Outcomes:
Reading time: 3 min
Reviews: (0 reviews)
  • Travels from: London, UK
  • **Fee range: $5,001 - $10,000

Keynote Topics

  • Team-building
  • Leadership
  • Culture & resilience
  • Change management

England Sevens Captain and renowned rugby speaker Ollie Phillips is the most successful Sevens Captain in recent British history, with a career covering more than a decade Phillips is known for his position as a winger or fullback.

Ollie Phillips, who plays for both Stade Français and the England Sevens team, has competed in twenty World Series games and scored almost fifty tries for his country. He has worked as a rugby speaker for the England Sevens team since joining and more recently spent some time acting as a rugby speaker for Gloucester Rugby after spending six months with the club between January and July 2012.

As a rugby speaker and player Ollie Phillips is known for his leadership and ability to inspire, his tenure as Captain is one of the most successful to have ever been enjoyed by an England Sevens Captain. With Phillips at the helm the England team have participated in numerous World Sevens Series and Sevens World Cups and boast three Series victories and six Series finals.

Outside his work as an England player and rugby speaker Ollie Phillips has played for four different domestic clubs, including the infamous Harlequins and the Newcastle Falcons. As a domestic player, Ollie has enjoyed success with all four of his previous teams, participating in 3 Heineken Cups and a European Cup Final. Phillips was also voted 2011’s Best Overseas Player and has worked prolifically around the world as a rugby speaker and sports advocate.

Ollie Phillips | Sporting Legend

A PASSION FOR RUGBY
Energetic and multi-skilled, Ollie Phillips can work as a studio pundit, pitch-side presence and match co-commentator. A key part of Sky’s Sevens Series and Top 14 coverage, he’s also worked on World Cups in English and French.

  • Most successful England 7s captain
  • World Rugby 7s player of the year
  • Harlequins, Newcastle Falcons, Stade Français, Gloucester
  • Voted Best Overseas Player in France, 2011
  • European Cup Finalist
  • Leads international rugby outreach projects
  • ADVENTURE WITH OPTIMIST!

Ollie’s adventures have been many and varied and continue in support of chosen charities including Street Child, Alzheimers Society, Wooden Spoon and Cancer Research UK:

  • Sailed around the world in the Clipper Race
  • Cycled across America with RAAM
  • Rode a Rickshaw across India
  • Ran the world’s toughest marathon in Sierra Leone
  • Climbed Africa’s highest mountain in 2018
  • Coming in 2019: Mount Everest
  • Also in 2019: A world record attempt..

OLLIE PHILLIPS – FOUNDER, OPTIMIST PERFORMANCE
Like many former elite sportsmen and women, Ollie’s speaking is anchored in blood, sweat and tears. The crucial difference is that being a Director at PWC allows him to apply all of these life experiences to the business world.

  • Ex-England Rugby captain
  • World Sevens Player of the Year
  • Second-in-command sailing around the world
  • Cycled across America
  • Led team up Kilimanjaro in 2018
  • Leading team up Everest in 2019
  • Guinness World Record-holder
  • Director at PWC
  • Motivational speaker, mentor & consultant

He balances all of this with a demanding 9-5 at PWC but will never stop taking on new challenges with Optimist Performance and giving others the chance to join him.

Ollie is a proven team-leader and specialises in four core areas:

  • Team-building
  • Leadership
  • Culture & resilience
  • Change management

By applying these to the workplace with practical case studies we challenge you across three distinct stages – Inspiration, Exploration, Implementation – to think differently, improving management and productivity in key areas, including:

  • Helping leaders lead
  • Growing innovation
  • Developing teams
  • Building relationships
  • Resolving challenging or stressful situations

OPTIMISE YOUR PEOPLE

  • Are you getting the best out of your people?
  • They are your biggest asset and one of your biggest costs.
  • We help businesses create their own culture of success.

When he’s at corporate events, Ollie is known to cover the following topics:

  • Drive & Determination
  • Rugby Speaker
  • Rugby Union
  • International Rugby
  • Domestic Rugby
  • Rugby 7’s
  • Six Nations
  • World Cup

    View All Speakers and follow us on Twitter

    Videos

    Interest to Book? Send us your enquiry

    Speaker Contact Form

    Enquiry Form

    Talent FAQ's

    Speaker fees can vary depending on factors such as expertise, demand, and event specifics. While some speakers may charge a flat fee for their services, others may have hourly rates. It’s best to discuss fee structures directly with the speaker or their representative to understand the pricing model.

    Keynote speeches typically range from 30 to 90 minutes, with the duration determined by the speaker’s expertise, the event’s agenda, and audience preferences. Keynote speeches often include a combination of inspirational stories, practical insights, and actionable advice tailored to the event’s theme or objectives.

    The scale of the event and audience size can indeed impact a speaker’s fee. Larger events with a broader reach or higher attendance may command higher fees due to increased exposure and demand. Conversely, smaller events or niche audiences may offer opportunities for more flexible pricing arrangements.

    Travel expenses such as transportation, accommodation, and meals are typically negotiated separately from the speaker’s fee. These costs vary depending on the speaker’s location, travel distance, and event duration. It’s important to clarify travel arrangements and expenses during the booking process to avoid misunderstandings.

    Many speakers require a deposit to secure a booking, with the remaining balance due closer to the event date. Deposits are often non-refundable and serve as a commitment from both parties. It’s advisable to discuss deposit requirements and payment terms with the speaker or their representative when finalizing the booking.

    • Virtual speaking appearances are a cost-effective alternative to high speaking fees, often 10-50% cheaper than in-person rates.
    • There is typically no difference in fee for a 15-minute speech versus a 60-minute speech.
    • Some motivational speakers are open to discounting their fee if hired for more than one event by the same organization.
    • When browsing speakers, consider their location to keep travel costs down.
    • Personal connections to your organization or event location can increase your chances of securing a renowned speaker.
    • Be upfront about your needs and expectations to ensure a successful partnership.
    • Speaker bureaus like Speakers Inc help guide you through the booking process to negotiate the best deal with favorable terms.

    Ready to find the perfect speaker for your event? Use our advanced search feature or contact us to get started today!

    Talent Resources

    Talent resources available for download

    In order to view the below you must be logged in.

    • Powerpoint Slide – For meeting and event planners
    • Gallery Images
    • High Resolution Images
    • PDF Files
    • Books and Magazine Links
    • Music List
    • Podcast Shows
    • Courses
    • + more
    Was this profile helpful?

    View further speakers

    • (47)
    Steve Gleason

    Steve received an ALS diagnosis in 2011. He was determined to thrive after the terminal neuromuscular disease diagnosis. He spends his life encouraging others to life with purpose. He and Michel, his wife, formed Team Gleason, with the mission of bringing ALS to the forefront and inspiring others to overcome the challenges of the disease. […]

    • Travels from: New Orleans, LA
    • Inspirational Speakers
    • (57)
    Dr. Patty Malone

    Dr. Patty Malone stands as an expert and authority in the realm of workplace communication, dedicated to facilitating organizations in achieving profound results, heightened productivity, and enhanced profitability through the conduit of clear and effective communication. In a landscape where miscommunication and misunderstanding drain companies of an astounding $37 billion annually, Dr. Malone’s commitment to […]

    • Travels from: Fullerton, CA
    • Communication Speakers
    • (12)
    Katie Greer

    Katie Greer is a leading expert in internet safety, with a mission to educate and empower audiences on navigating the digital world safely and responsibly. With over a decade of experience in the field, Katie has become a trusted voice for schools, parents, corporations, and law enforcement agencies. Her engaging and informative presentations have made […]

    • Travels from: Boston, MA
    • Security Speakers
    • (103)
    Josh Sundquist

    Josh Sundquist is a Paralympian, bestselling author, and Emmy-winning Apple TV+ storyteller whose videos have generated over one billion video views. He inspires audiences to live by his mantra 1MT1MT (One More Thing, One More Time). Your attendees will leave energized and equipped to: Foster forward-thinking amid market volatility Rebound from disappointment Do 1MT1MT to […]

    • Travels from: Santa Monica, CA
    • Motivational Speakers
    • (76)
    Alencia Johnson

    Alencia Johnson is a dynamic voice in social justice and culture change, with over a decade of experience at the forefront of activism, politics, corporate strategy, and entertainment. A trailblazer in integrating these cultural cornerstones, Alencia has built a reputation as a transformational leader who drives action through storytelling and advocacy. From campaign stages to […]

    • Travels from: Washington, DC
    • Leadership Speakers
    • (72)
    • (3)
    Michael McQueen

    Michael McQueen is an internationally acclaimed keynote speaker and expert in navigating change, recognized for his powerful insights on future trends and innovation. With over two decades of experience in helping organizations and leaders stay ahead of disruption, Michael has earned a reputation for delivering dynamic, research-backed strategies that drive resilience and adaptability. His best-selling […]

    • Travels from: Sydney, NSW
    • Leadership Speakers
    • (42)
    • (3)
    Rachel Sheerin

    Rachel Sheerin is an award-winning keynote speaker and emcee. Named Speaker of the Year for 2019 by NACE, you may have seen Rachel featured in Inc Magazine for her keynotes or on the TEDx stage. Rachel’s been on both sides of business – sales and operations. She’s built multi-million dollar sales teams for organizations that want to […]

    • Travels from: Charlotte, NC
    • Motivational Speakers
    • (351)

    David Goggins is a Retired Navy SEAL and is the only member of the U.S. Armed Forces to complete SEAL training (including two Hell Weeks), the U.S. Army Ranger School (where he graduated as Enlisted Honor Man) and Air Force Tactical Air Controller training. An accomplished endurance athlete, Goggins has completed over 60 ultra-marathons, triathlons, […]

    • Travels from: Nashville, TN
    • Adventure Speakers
    Disclaimer
    The profiles and images embedded on these pages are from various conference entertainers and other talent.

    These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by Speakers Inc.

    Fee ranges where listed on this website are intended to serve as a guideline only.

    All talent fees exclude VAT, travel and accommodation where required.

    Subscribe to our Newsletter and get connected:

    Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
    Your subscription has been successful.

    Newsletter

    Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated.

    We use Brevo as our marketing platform. By submitting this form you agree that the personal data you provided will be transferred to Brevo for processing in accordance with Brevo's Privacy Policy.

    Our Mission:

    We are your partner creating memorable and engaging experiences that go beyond the event itself.

    © All rights reserved 2025.  Designed using Voxel

    Speakers Inc Logo 2024
    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.