Ollie Phillips

Ollie Phillips, born on September 8, 1982, in Brighton, embarked on a distinguished 14-year rugby career. He studied at Durham University, graduating in 2004, and later pursued an MBA at Cambridge University. Phillips captained England Sevens from 2008 to 2010, leading the team to three World Series Cup victories. In 2009, he achieved international recognition by being voted the ‘Best Sevens Player in the World’ (IRB International Sevens Player of the Year). His career also included playing for club teams such as Newcastle Falcons, Gloucester, and Stade Francais, where he was named the most valuable overseas player in 2011 and the top try-scorer in the same year. He participated in three Sevens World Cup tournaments.

In 2013, an severe calf injury sustained during preparation for the Rugby World Cup Sevens led to the end of his professional rugby career. Following this, Phillips channeled his focus into physical and mental endurance challenges. He successfully completed the Clipper Round the World Race, with his team finishing second overall after 11 months and 40,000 miles. He also led an expedition to the North Pole for the ‘Arctic Rugby Challenge’, completing a 100-mile trek and hosting the ‘Most Northerly Rugby Match,’ earning a Guinness World Record. These experiences, along with others, led to him holding four Guinness World Records. He has also coached the Wales Women’s rugby team and the China Rugby Sevens team.

Phillips transitioned into the corporate world, applying his experiences in sport and adventure to business. He founded Optimist Performance in 2014, an organization focused on leadership development and transformative experiences. He also held a director position at PwC in Innovation and Transformation. Phillips is a respected business leader and has dedicated 15 years to public speaking, raising over £3 million for charity through his various endeavors. He shares his insights on topics such as change management, resilient leadership, teamwork, and building a winning culture.