Team Leadership

Mark Wilkinson, Life Remixed Looking Beyond The Dance To Face The Music As an international house music DJ and record producer, travelling the globe with a UK Top 10 Hit and a Ministry of Sound Residency, Mark was on top of the world living a dream life until one day, at only 33 years of age he unexpectedly collapsed in his London flat. The following 18 months wer`e absolute agony. As a result, he lost his livelihood, his income, his freedom, his fiancé, his home, his everything. In his talk Mark shares how he remixed his life from International DJ to HSE (Health, Safety & Environment) to become a Behavioural Safety Expert and Success Coach. He talks about the tools and lessons he acquired that helped to change his mindset and ultimately the course of his life, enabling him to go from bankruptcy to a six-figure salary and multiple business owner in just 3 years. Mark is now the best-selling author of his debut book LIFE REMIXED, endorsed by Bob Proctor and Marci Shimoff. Mark is a Fellow of the Institute of Leadership (FloL) and a Chartered Member of the Institute of Safety and Health (CMIOSH). He is also a Personality Diversity Coach, powered by E-Colours.

Why organisations work with Pau Gasol Two NBA championships, three Olympic medals and a FIBA World Cup title give him a working definition of high performance grounded in repeated wins across cultures, coaches and rosters, not a single peak. He speaks credibly about the operating reality of elite teams: ego management next to a generational star (Kobe Bryant), role clarity, and the unglamorous habits that hold a group together across an 82-game season. A Basketball Hall of Fame induction in 2023 and a retired Lakers jersey place him among the small group of athletes whose authority on team and leadership is taken seriously inside a boardroom, not only on a stage. His work outside sport (Gasol Foundation on childhood obesity, IOC Athletes’ Commission, Gasol16 Ventures) shows a leader who has built institutions, not only played in them. The J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award is the NBA’s formal recognition of that. He presents fluently in English and Spanish, with direct experience of US, European and global organisations, which suits international leadership audiences without translation overhead. Biography highlights Two NBA Championships with the Los Angeles Lakers (2009, 2010); six-time NBA All-Star; four-time All-NBA selection. 2002 NBA Rookie of the Year, the first non-American player to win the award. Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Class of 2023; jersey No. 16 retired by the Los Angeles Lakers. FIBA World Cup champion and MVP 2006; three EuroBasket golds with Spain (2009, 2011, 2015); two-time EuroBasket MVP. Three Olympic medals with Spain: silver in 2008 and 2012, bronze in 2016. President and co-founder of the Gasol Foundation; UNICEF Global Champion for Nutrition and Zero Childhood Obesity; member of the IOC Athletes’ Commission; 2012 NBA J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award. Biography Two NBA Championships, three Olympic medals and a FIBA World Cup title are not won by the same individual playing in different teams. They are won by leaders who help different groups behave the same way under pressure. Pau Gasol spent two decades inside the highest-stakes team environments in professional sport, with Kobe Bryant in Los Angeles, alongside his brother Marc on the Spanish national team, and across rosters in Memphis, Chicago, San Antonio and Milwaukee. The interest for senior leaders is not the trophy count. It is what it took to sit beside a generational star like Bryant and still deliver, year after year, in the locker room as much as on the court. Role clarity, ego management, honest conversations between named individuals, and a standard that did not move with the score. Gasol’s account of that period is one of the more credible insider readings of elite team performance available from any speaker in the market. His record off the court is unusually substantive for an athlete. He co-founded the Gasol Foundation in 2013 with Marc Gasol, working on childhood obesity and child wellbeing in Spain and the United States. He serves as UNICEF’s Global Champion for Nutrition and Zero Childhood Obesity, sits on the International Olympic Committee Athletes’ Commission, and runs Gasol16 Ventures, an investment platform in sport, health and wellness. The NBA recognised the community work with the 2012 J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award. Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2023, with his number retired by the Los Angeles Lakers the same year, Gasol now speaks to leadership audiences in English and Spanish on what it actually takes to build a team that wins more than once. Key speaking topics Leadership and team performance under sustained pressure Building trust and role clarity inside elite teams Resilience and self-leadership through injury, transition and setback Sport as a model for organisational culture and standards Purpose-driven leadership and life after a professional career Child health and the leadership case for long-term social investment Ideal for Senior leadership offsites and CEO conferences focused on team performance and culture Sales kick-offs and annual conferences seeking a credible voice on resilience and standards Sports, health and consumer-brand audiences engaging with athlete leadership International audiences requiring delivery in English or Spanish Audience outcomes A working picture of what elite team performance looks like behind the result, told by someone inside it A direct view of how leaders manage ego, role and trust around a dominant individual Specific reference points for resilience and decision-making through injury, transition and public scrutiny A leadership case for long-term investment in people and purpose beyond the immediate quarter

Tom Bowen’s Early Life and Rugby Beginnings Tom Bowen’s rugby journey began at the tender age of six, igniting a lifelong passion for the sport. His early years were marked by a dedication to mastering the game, leading him to significant milestones and recognition in his youth. Plymouth Albion Breakthrough In 2012, Bowen’s career took a pivotal turn when he joined Plymouth Albion. Initially playing as a centre, his agility and speed soon saw him transition to the wing. His exceptional performance earned him the title of Plymouth’s young player of the season for two consecutive years, showcasing his potential and skill. England Sevens Career In 2014, Bowen’s hard work paid off when he made his debut for the England Sevens team. Over the next eight years, he played on the global stage, competing against top-tier teams and making a name for himself with his lightning-fast pace and strategic gameplay. His tenure with the team was marked by numerous highlights and a relentless drive to excel. Adaptability and Teaching During COVID-19 When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the sports world, Bowen adapted by channeling his expertise into teaching rugby and fitness. Partnering with England teammate Megan Jones, he reached out to aspiring athletes through online platforms and school programs, demonstrating resilience and commitment to the sport. Olympic Involvement In June 2021, Bowen’s dedication was further recognized when he was named a reserve player for the Great Britain Rugby Sevens squad at the delayed 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. This achievement underscored his unwavering determination and exceptional talent. Speaking Engagements and Themes As a speaker, Tom Bowen brings the same energy and passion to the stage that he displayed on the rugby field. His talks focus on themes such as: Leadership: Sharing insights from his experiences in high-stakes sports environments. Motivation and Inspiration: Encouraging audiences to overcome adversity and strive for excellence. Resilience: Highlighting the importance of adaptability in the face of challenges. Teamwork and High Performing Teams: Drawing on his extensive experience in team sports to foster collaboration and success in organizations.

Meet Sarah Ann Macklin Sarah Ann Macklin is a multifaceted force in the realm of health, nutrition, and advocacy. As the founder of the acclaimed podcast Live Well Be Well and the visionary behind the Be Well Collective, she has galvanised change in the wellness landscape. A registered nutritionist, TEDx speaker, international model, and esteemed health journalist, Sarah’s impact exceeds boundaries. Sarah was talent-spotted by a top London model agency at the age of 15 then whisked off to New York and catapulted into the world of high fashion and glamour, appearing on the front cover of Harpers, Vogue, and was the face of many high-profile campaigns. However, the reality was a brutal industry, which lacked any compassion and empathy. The apparent success of Sarah ultimately led to her health failing and being admitted to A&E which subsequently forced a huge career rethink, leading to the decision of turning her back on high fashion and pursuing her other love, nutrition! Through drive and determination, and ‘hindered’ with dyslexia, Sarah achieved a first-class degree in nutrition! Her dedication to preventative mental health initiatives led to the establishment of the Be Well Collective, a not-for-profit organization committed to preventable mental health support, on a mission for all minds to BE Well. Through her top UK health and nutrition podcast, Live Well, Be Well, one of the biggest UK health podcasts with most exclusive of the moment health conversations involving the world’s renowned scientists and health experts, Sarah has publicised invaluable insights and garnered widespread acclaim. Sarah’s influence extends to the political sphere, where she presented crucial findings on dietary guidelines and their link to the Type 2 diabetes epidemic at the European Parliament. Her book, “The Great British Veg Out,” ignited a nationwide campaign for healthier eating habits, earning support from prominent figures like Gary Barlow and Victoria Pendleton. Additionally, Sarah has consulted for leading brands such Ennismore group, Farmstand restaurant and The GoodLife as well as help patients in her clinic from magazine editors, popstars, actors and C-suite level executives and worked for Netflix. Sarah talks candidly about her own battles during her time as model recognising the lack of nutritional guidance in the modelling industry, Sarah founded the Be Well Collective, which has positively impacted thousands of young individuals through education summits, workshops, mentoring programs, and online resources. Her TEDx talk, “Are models, role models?” underscored her prowess as a compelling public speaker on physical and mental health, further solidifying her reputation. Sarah’s contributions to esteemed publications such as the Financial Times, Telegraph, and Harper’s Bazaar reflect her unwavering commitment to empowering individuals to lead healthier, more fulfilling lives.

Karl Dickson is a distinguished former professional rugby player who has transitioned into a successful career as a referee and motivational speaker. Known for his tactical intelligence and leadership skills, Karl’s journey from playing for Harlequins to officiating at the highest levels of rugby provides a rich foundation for his engaging and insightful speaking engagements. Rugby career During his playing career with Harlequins, Karl Dickson was celebrated for his strategic prowess and on-field leadership. His contributions were pivotal in many key matches and tournaments, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure and guide his team to success. Transition to refereeing After retiring from playing, Karl smoothly transitioned into refereeing, quickly establishing himself as a respected official in Premiership and international rugby. His unique perspective as both a former player and current referee enables him to offer valuable insights into performance, decision-making, and the nuances of the game. Karl Dickson continues to inspire and educate through his speaking engagements, leveraging his extensive rugby experience and officiating expertise to deliver powerful messages on leadership, resilience, and peak performance. His talks provide valuable lessons that transcend the world of sports, offering actionable insights for personal and professional growth.