James Haskell

James Haskell is a former England Rugby flanker, bestselling author, DJ, and broadcaster whose career has outgrown the touchline. Best known for earning 77 caps for England, touring with the British & Irish Lions, and fronting the world’s biggest rugby show ‘The Good, The Bad & The Rugby’, James is a high-impact keynote speaker with natural stage presence. He now balances media, music, and business, headlining events and podcasts while translating elite performance into clear, practical lessons for corporate audiences.

James’s journey began at Wellington College, where his physicality and work ethic set him apart. Aged 18 he made his senior debut for Wasps, quickly moving from academy promise to first-team regular. He represented England at every youth level, then stepped into the senior set-up at the 2007 Six Nations. Early club moves were formative, including Stade Français in Paris, Ricoh Black Rams in Japan, and the Highlanders in New Zealand, experiences that sharpened his adaptability, leadership, and cultural intelligence. An example he shares often is leaving his comfort zone for Super Rugby, learning new systems mid-season, and returning a more rounded international.

On the field James’s silverware and accolades are substantial. He was part of Wasps’ 2008 Premiership-winning team, scored two tries against Wales in the 2010 Six Nations, featured at the 2011 and 2015 Rugby World Cups, and delivered a career-defining 2016 Six Nations Grand Slam. That same year he was named Man of the Series in England’s 3–0 victory over Australia, capping one of the great modern back-row campaigns. In 2017 he was called up to the British & Irish Lions for the tour of New Zealand. Off the pitch James has become a Sunday Times bestselling author with ‘What A Flanker’ and ‘Ruck Me’, co-created and presents ‘The Good, The Bad & The Rugby’ with Alex Payne and Mike Tindall, and continues his music career, including headlining LIT7s London 7s After Party at the Cherry Red Records Stadium in 2024.

Audiences book James for straight-talking insight, humour, and takeaways they can use immediately. He speaks on leadership, teamwork, high performance, goal setting, mental resilience, overcoming failure, and mental health, weaving elite rugby lessons with media and music stories for a fresh perspective. James connects quickly, whether opening a conference, anchoring an after-dinner, or hosting an awards night. He shows how pressure can become progress, how teams align around simple rules, and how reinvention sustains performance long after a first career ends. For organisations seeking energy, candour, and credibility, James delivers memorable keynotes that move people to action.