- United Kingdom
Ugo Monye Keynote Speaker
- 241 Harlequins games, 87 tries (2002 – 2015)
- Iconic length-of-field Lions try, South Africa Test (2009)
- Chair, RFU Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Group (2021 – present)
Ugo Monye's Biography
Ugo Monye is a one-club rugby icon whose explosive pace produced 87 tries in 241 appearances for Harlequins, powering the side to its first Premiership title and two European trophies. International recognition soon followed: 13 England caps between 2008 and 2012 and a starring role on the 2009 British & Irish Lions tour, where his length-of-the-field try in the final Test entered Lions folklore.
Retiring in 2015, Ugo translated elite performance into broadcasting excellence. He fronts Premiership Rugby coverage on BT Sport, analyses internationals for ITV and TNT Sports, co-hosts the BBC’s award-winning “Rugby Union Weekly” podcast and captained BBC One’s “A Question of Sport” reboot. A versatile communicator, he also dazzled audiences on “Strictly Come Dancing” in 2021, showcasing charisma beyond the touchline.
A leading voice for equality, Ugo chairs the RFU’s independent Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Group, serves on the board of the Women’s Sport Trust and co-chairs the UK National Physical Activity Taskforce. His 2023 Channel 4 documentary series spotlighted race, gender and LGBTQ+ stories in sport, underlining his mission to widen access and opportunity.
In 2024, Ugo presented the International Rugby Players Special Merit Award at the World Rugby Awards in Monaco, celebrating global achievements in the sport.
On stage, Ugo blends high-octane rugby anecdotes with actionable lessons on teamwork, leadership and cultural transformation. His infectious energy and forward-thinking perspective equip audiences to drive performance, foster belonging and thrive amid change.
Ugo Monye's Speaking Topics
-
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSIVITY: ‘Levelling the Playing Field: Tackling Inclusion in Business’
As someone actively driving change in this area via his position as Chair of the Diversity & Inclusivity working group at the RFU, Ugo is able to draw from his experience in this role and from playing in high pressure sports environments. Bringing warmth and humour to the stage, Ugo shares practical guidance and core principles for good practice, touching on the importance of staying humble, having a shared vision and the importance of all team players. Ugo’s keynote will inspire your business to rethink its approach to diversity & inclusion and that diverse teams lead to better problem solving, creativity and results.
-
LEADERSHIP AND TEAM DEVELOPMENT: ‘Supporting the Scrum: Leading Great Teams with Great Followers’
Ugo can bring 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.
Videos of Ugo Monye
Check Ugo Monye's speaking fees and availability
Discover other speakers
