Sir Ian McGeechan is a symbol of rugby excellence. He formerly competed in the Rugby Union, first as a player and later as a celebrated coach. From Scotland in 1988 to Bath Rugby in 2012, he was greatly sought after for his winning insight that ensured his teams' success. As an after dinner speaker, audiences are regularly captivated by Ian's stories from both on and off of the pitch. Weaved into his anecdotes, Ian provides actionable strategies for effective teamwork and leadership, essential for corporate audiences to get the most out of their employees.
In 2010, celebrating Ian's defining services to rugby, he was knighted in the New Years Honours List. Additional achievements include several championship wins, credited to Ian's formidable ability as both a player and a coach. At the 1973 Five Nations Championship and later at the 1974 and 1976 Calcutta Cup, Ian was an essential member of his teams' success. However, it is as a head coach that Ian truly thrived. From the 1989 Calcutta Cup to the 2008 Premiership Rugby Tournament with the London Wasps, his knowledge of high-performance teams ensured first place.
Ian's career kick started in 1972, when he made his debut with his home team, Scotland. During his playing career, he thrived as a fly-half and centre, earning 32 caps over the course of his career. As a captain, he led his own home team several times, as well as toured with the British and Irish Lions in the 70s. In 1989, Ian was appointed assistant coach of Scotland, followed by a promotion to coach in 1988. Under his expert eye, his team won a Grand Slam in the 1990 Five Nations Championship. Moving to the British and Irish Lions as their Head Coach until 2009, Ian established himself as a truly influential figure in rugby.
After being appointed Director of Rugby at Northampton in 1999 and Director of Rugby at London Wasps in 2009, Ian has earned a legion of supporters. Audiences of his after dinner speeches enjoy his thrilling anecdotes, full of sporting stars and some of rugby's pinnacle moments. As a sports speaker, Ian holds the key to peak performance, the driving force behind every sports team's, and businesses' success. Book a rugby icon above the rest with the legendary Ian "Geech" McGeechan.
In June 2024 we sat down virtually with Sir Ian McGeechan and discussed the importance of getting the basics right in both sport and work which will ultimately lead to success. Watch our Exclusive Interview with Sir Ian McGeechan on the Champions Speakers YouTube Channel.
How to hire Sir Ian McGeechan
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Sir Ian McGeechan 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.
When he's at corporate events, Ian is known to discuss the following topics:
- Coaching and mentoring
- Peak performance
- Teamwork and leadership
- Mental resilience
- The winning mindset
"Ian was a great speaker. Everyone really enjoyed hearing from him. He was very accommodating, nothing was too much trouble. He spoke about teamwork and collaboration, and it was entirely relevant for us. We are a small firm and his message of getting the basics right was a great success! Many thanks for your help along the way. Much appreciated." - John McDonagh, Dalmore
