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.
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

    No reviews available for this post.

    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?

    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!

    View further speakers

    • (9)
    Scott Dikkers

    Scott Dikkers is a New York Times bestselling author, comedy writer, and comedian known for his innovative approach to both creativity and branding. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of comedy, earning global recognition for his leadership at The Onion and his ability to redefine comedy for modern […]

    • Travels from: Minneapolis, MN
    • Branding Speakers
    • (8)
    • (3)
    Brian Apprille Comedian

    Brian Apprille Comedian has become a sought-after name in the corporate comedy circuit. His ability to craft relatable, clean, and engaging content makes him a beacon of laughter and inspiration in a dynamic environment. Brian Apprille | Comedian & Emcee Brian Apprille’s journey into comedy started like many great stories—with a love for making people […]

    • Travels from: San Diego, CA
    • Comedian Hosts
    • (10)
    • (3)
    Keith Ferrazzi Los Angeles, Keith Ferrazzi cover1-8

    Keith Ferrazzi has a profound understanding of human behavior and a relentless drive to effect positive change, Keith has become a leading figure in guiding global organizations toward sustainable success. As the founder of the Greenlight Institute and chairman of Ferrazzi Greenlight, his influence extends far beyond the boardroom, shaping the very fabric of how […]

    • Travels from: Los Angeles, CA
    • Sales Speakers
    • (10)
    • (2)
    Aniyia Williams

    Aniyia Williams is a trailblazing entrepreneur, thought leader, and advocate for diversity and inclusion in the tech industry. She is a systempreneur, creator, inventor, tech changemaker, and investor. She is a principal on the Responsible Technology team at Omidyar Network, and works to help the tech world live up to its promise of changing lives […]

    • Travels from: San Francisco, CA
    • Digital Speakers
    • (25)
    Mira Murati: Former CTO of OpenAI

    Ermira “Mira” Murati is an influential Albanian-born engineer, entrepreneur, and one of the most prominent voices in artificial intelligence (AI) today. With a track record of spearheading world-changing AI initiatives, Mira is committed to making advanced AI accessible, ethical, and understandable for the public. In early 2025, she founded Thinking Machines Lab, a public benefit […]

    • Travels from: San Francisco, CA
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • (26)
    Michael Tchong

    Michael Tchong unique approach to decoding the future has positioned him as a preeminent trend-spotter and an influential figure in the realms of technology and entrepreneurship. With a distinct passion for staying ahead of emerging waves, Michael has established four successful startups, each leaving an indelible mark on their respective industries. His unwavering advocacy for […]

    • Travels from: Las Vegas, NV
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • (10)
    Ekaterina Walter

    Ekaterina Walter is a globally recognized thought leader, author, and keynote speaker in the fields of social media, marketing innovation, and business transformation. With over a decade of experience in helping businesses harness the power of digital platforms, she has become one of the most sought-after experts in social media strategy. Her passion for inspiring […]

    • Travels from: Portland, OR
    • Marketing Speakers
    • (11)
    Melissa Boggs 2023 263

    Melissa Boggs is a dynamic business strategy speaker, leadership coach, and workplace culture innovator who inspires organizations to rethink the way they work, lead, and grow. With a career spanning two decades, Melissa has helped companies transform their strategies, foster thriving cultures, and achieve sustainable success in an ever-changing business landscape. As a former co-CEO […]

    • Travels from: Denver, CO
    • Leadership 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 2026.  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.