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.

March 2024

Empire Fighting Chance (EFC) in Bristol

One of the aims of FLS is to visit places where great leadership has been and continues to be exhibited, particularly in improving the lives of young people. Following the visit to The BritSchool in December, we went in March to Empire Fighting Chance(EFC) in Bristol.

Founded on the back of the long-established Empire Boxing Club, EFC was founded in 2006 to fight the impact of inequality on the lives of young people. Non-contact boxing activity and a great deal of personal support are used to ‘challenge and inspire young people facing adversity to realise their unique potential’.

EFC has grown so much that it now reaches young people via outreach centres around the country. Martin Bisp, the CEO, has been the driving force behind EFC since the start. Now with a team of full-time and part-time staff, they provide a wide range of programmes. Martin and his colleague, Ellie Milone, introduced us to EFC with the story of its’ origins, where it has got to, and how it benefits the lives of so many in the community who suffer adversity.

All those attending our event were inspired by what they saw. As always, we had with us leaders from sport, business and the military. There was a great deal of interaction with staff and young participants. What amazed everyone was the self-awareness and emotional intelligence displayed by the youngsters, who eloquently and powerfully told of how EFC had transformed their lives. Kassie, Serena, Enya, Kierah, Jennifer and Louis are all deserving of a mention here.

Following my lockdown survey of sporting, business and military leaders, when a significant number said they now ‘tell less and ask more’, I encouraged members of the mixed groups to find out about one another. As at the Brit School, the young people were curious, willing to offer their own views on matters and they engaged in a mature and thoughtful way. It was they in the main who provided the feedback to other groups at the end. Each one of them had a personal story to tell about how EFC had changed their lives for the better.

A discussion panel, chaired by Col Lucy Giles, and including Paula O’Rourke (Lord Mayor of Bristol), Kevin Slocombe (Head of the Office of the Elected Mayor), BenBreeze (CEO Bristol Sport Foundation) and Martin Bisp was able to get into the teeth of whose responsibility it is to help young people in gangs and whose lives are challenged. The underlying message was that sport has a great deal to offer, and that more needs to be done nationally to address the obvious problems. One of the young people suggested that what was needed was ‘A couple of Empire Fighting Chance centres in every town!

An aim of EFC is to inspire young people. After a wonderful day at EFC, we all felt inspired.

Many thanks to everyone at EFC.

‘Thanks for a really interesting, informative and thought-provoking day’

‘It really was a great event’.

‘I was inspired’.

FLS Annual Conference 25th May 2022

‘Staying at the top in Sport and Business in unpredictable times’

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).

VIEW HIGHLIGHTS

Videos of the whole conference can be found in the secure members section of the website

.Later in the year, we will be holding another conference ‘Developing leaders in, of and through Sport’. Keep your eye out for details on the FLS website.’

And some fantastic feedback...

FEEDBACK

Following the conference held in Bristol in May 2022, a number of the guest contributors enjoyed a lovely meal together at the Bristol Ivy.

The photo demonstrates the diversity and quality of the leaders who enhance our events. Around the table are people who have coached international teams in three different sports, leaders at club level in rugby and soccer, hugely successful business people and highly ranked Army officers. See how many you recognise.

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

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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.