Dylan Hartley is best known as one of England’s most influential rugby captains. He led the national side from the aftermath of a disappointing 2015 World Cup exit to a period of record-breaking success. Under his stewardship, England equalled the world record for most consecutive Test victories with 18 wins. His leadership and ability to build a winning culture from a low point made him a respected figure in sport and a sought-after keynote speaker on leadership, high performance, and team culture.
Born in Rotorua, New Zealand, in 1986, Hartley moved to England as a teenager and attended Beacon Academy. He joined the Worcester Warriors academy before signing for Northampton Saints in 2005. His combative style, strong presence, and ability to inspire teammates earned him recognition early in his career. By 2009, he was Saints captain, guiding them to a Premiership title in 2014 and two European Challenge Cup victories. He made his England debut in 2008 and was appointed national captain in 2016, leading the team through some of its most successful modern years.
After retiring in 2019 due to injury, Hartley moved into broadcasting and public speaking. He has worked with outlets including Amazon, BBC, and BT Sport, covering both men’s and women’s international rugby. His autobiography 'The Hurt', was published in 2020 and won the Sunday Times Sports Book of the Year award. He also acts as a mentor and ambassador, sharing his experiences with young players and organisations seeking to develop winning cultures.
Hartley’s career includes achievements such as captaining England to a Grand Slam in the 2016 Six Nations, winning a series in Australia, and retaining the Six Nations title in 2017. His leadership style combined high standards, accountability, and a focus on building trust and resilience within the team. These qualities helped transform England from a team in disarray to one that dominated world rugby for a sustained period.
Today, Hartley is hired by organisations in business, sport, and education to speak about leadership, performance, resilience, and culture. He uses his story to show how teams can recover from setbacks, instil discipline, and sustain success. His speaking style is candid and engaging, blending lessons from elite sport with insights that resonate in the corporate world. His client list includes leading companies and events where he delivers impactful sessions that leave audiences with practical takeaways on building and leading high performing teams.
Official Testimonials from In-Person & Online Events:
"Dylan – what else can I say other than a massive thank you! We have had over 300 emails from our clients, with such amazing feedback! We also had over 1000 people on the call in the end! You were a pleasure to work with and all of the feedback said how well you came across and how honest, interesting and respectful you are!" - Virtual Meeting for Investec
2020 – Sunday Times Sports Book of the Year ~ The Hurt
2017 – Six Nations Championship Winner ~ Retained title with England
2016 – Six Nations Grand Slam Winner ~ First England Grand Slam since 2003
2016 – Test Series Win in Australia ~ First ever 3-0 series win in Australia for England
2015-2017 – Joint World Record Holder ~ 18 consecutive Test wins with England
2014 – Premiership Champion ~ Northampton Saints
2014 – European Challenge Cup Winner ~ Northampton Saints
2009 – European Challenge Cup Winner ~ Northampton Saints
2008 – England Senior Debut ~ vs. Pacific Islanders
How to hire Dylan Hartley
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Dylan Hartley for your next event, today. To get in touch, simply call an official booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
** We do NOT accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, birthday messages or any other non-commercial contact with the speakers or acts. Each speaker on the website may not have necessarily worked with Champions in the past but are known to perform such engagements within the industry.
