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.
- Travels from: London, UK
- **Fee range: $5,001 - $10,000
Keynote Topics
Topics Covered
- Team-building
- Leadership
- Culture & resilience
- Change management
Read Full Bio
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
No reviews available for this post.
Talent FAQ's
Do speakers charge a flat fee or by the hour?
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.
What is the typical duration of a keynote speech and what is included?
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.
Does the scale of the event and audience size affect a speaker’s fee?
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 and other costs
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.
Deposits and securing a booking
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.
Additional tips and takeaways
- 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!
View further speakers
- (12)
Laurence Moroney is a globally recognized authority on artificial intelligence and machine learning. As the former Lead AI Advocate at Google, Laurence brings unparalleled insight into the evolving AI landscape. His mission is clear: to demystify AI and make it accessible across industries. Laurence holds a BSc in Physics and Computer Science and a Postgraduate […]
- Travels from: Sammamish, WA
- Artificial Intelligence
- (4)
Chris Dyer is a dynamic leader and globally recognized authority on leadership, company culture, and business growth. With a career marked by innovation and purpose, Chris has transitioned from opening high-end hotels in Hollywood to becoming a highly sought-after consultant, speaker, and author. His unique ability to foster thriving cultures and develop purpose-driven leadership has […]
- Travels from: Anaheim, CA
- Culture Speakers
- (59)
- (1)
Salim Ismail is a visionary strategist and a renowned technology entrepreneur who has profoundly impacted the global business landscape. As the founding executive director of Singularity University and the author of the best-selling book Exponential Organizations, Salim has become a leading authority on disruptive innovation and exponential technologies. As the founding executive director of Singularity […]
- Travels from: Miami, FL
- Artificial Intelligence
- (73)
Scott Christopher is co-author of the best-selling business book The Levity Effect: Why It Pays to Lighten Up, People People and The Seven UPS of Happiness. As the former director of the Carrot Culture, Scott was also a contributing author of the very good selling A Carrot A Day, The Daily Carrot Principle. In addition to having a Master’s degree […]
- Travels from: Salt Lake City, UT
- Motivational Speakers
- (10)
Nina Sossamon-Pogue is a sought-after Motivational Speaker dedicated to researching and sharing how we can all become more resilient and mentally healthy in this era of constant change, being fueled by new technology, massive amounts of new data and machine learning. Nina was a hyper-growth tech executive (2007-2019, Benefitfocus), Emmy-winning television news anchor (1992-2007) and […]
- Travels from: Charleston, SC
- Motivational Speakers
- (36)
- Featured
James Hewitt is a distinguished authority on workplace wellbeing and sustainable high performance, globally recognised for his pioneering work with clients ranging from Formula One teams to Fortune 500 companies. Over a notable career, James has been at the forefront of integrating cutting-edge research with practical insights, empowering organisations to foster thriving, high-performing work environments […]
- Travels from: London, UK
- Workplace Wellness
- (11)
Noelle Russell is one of the most recognized voices on the future of artificial intelligence and responsible innovation. A multi-award-winning TEDx presenter and best-selling author, she has become a go-to resource for organizations seeking to harness AI’s power to drive growth while managing risk. Named the #1 Agentic AI Leader in 2025, she has taught […]
- Travels from: Miami, FL
- Artificial Intelligence
- (46)
Dr. Gurpreet Dhaliwal, MD, is a clinician-educator and Professor of Medicine at the University of California San Francisco. He sees patients and teaches medical students and residents in the emergency department, inpatient wards, and outpatient clinic at the San Francisco VA Medical Center, where he directs the internal medicine clerkship. He studies, writes, and speaks […]
- Travels from: San Francisco, CA
- Healthcare Speakers
Disclaimer
These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by Speakers Inc.
Fee Range Information
All talent fees exclude VAT, travel and accommodation where required.
