Ugo Monye

A ‘one-club-man’, Ugo Monye began his career at Harlequins in 2002, going on to make 237 appearances for the club, scoring 87 tries and winning a Premiership Title in the process.

His club performances soon earned Ugo international recognition, and he made his England debut in 2008.

Featuring heavily in England’s 2009 Six Nations squad, he was awarded a place on the 2009 British and Irish Lions Tour of South Africa, on which he scored a crucial length of the field try in the final Test, which has gone on to become an iconic image in Lions history.

On retirement Ugo quickly transitioned into broadcasting, becoming a regular on BT Sport for their Premiership Rugby coverage. In 2021 he appeared on BBC1’s Strictly Come Dancing and became a team caption on A Question of Sport.

Off the pitch Ugo has become a go to authority and advocate for diversity in sport and a major champion of women’s sport. Chair of the Rugby Football Union's (RFU) diversity and inclusion advisory group, a board member at the Women’s Sports Trust and Co-Chair of the National Physical Activity Taskforce, Ugo’s knowledge and expertise goes beyond his own experiences as a player.

He has spoken openly about the lack of racial diversity in rugby and its leadership, calling for more opportunities for players, coaches and administrators from underrepresented backgrounds.

In 2023 Ugo fronted a series of films for Channel 4 highlighting individual stories in the sport, focusing on race, gender and LGBTQ+ equality. Ugo’s mission is to create a more inclusive culture, aiming to challenge stereotypes and bring diverse voices into the conversation.

Keynote speaker
A leading voice for diversity in sports, Ugo brings a unique perspective on how organisations can foster inclusivity, harness diverse talents and build winning teams both on and off the field.

After Dinner Speaker
After an exhilarating rugby career with England, the British & Irish Lions and Harlequins, Ugo has made a name for himself as a charismatic sports broadcaster and champion for diversity and inclusion in sport and beyond.

Known for his wit, charm and powerful insights, Ugo brings a refreshing, humorous and thought-provoking perspective on life, both on and off the rugby pitch.

In this entertaining after-dinner speech Ugo shares memorable stories from on and off the pitch, giving the audience a glimpse into the real world of the England dressing room, life on tour with the British & Irish Lions and even stories from his stint on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing.

Leadership & Team Development - Supporting the Scrum: Leading Great Teams with Great Followers

Ugo brings his wealth of knowledge and experience from being a key player in winning teams, to the question of what it takes to be a great team player from a leadership perspective.

Never becoming a captain himself, Ugo’s focus as a player was to adapt to different leadership styles and techniques, to become powerful collaborator and influential team player. His understanding of what motivates teams to perform well under different leadership styles provides valuable insight into what good leadership looks like; the importance of shared vision and purpose; and how the best leaders help their teams come together as well as reach their own personal goals.

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