Sir Gareth Southgate, renowned as the former Head Coach of the England men’s senior team, is a master of leadership and a transformative force in sport and beyond. Taking over the national team in 2016 during one of its most challenging periods, he revived England’s fortunes, achieving back-to-back UEFA European Championships finals, as well as reaching the Quarter and Semi Finals of successive FIFA World Cups. In doing so, he holds the record for winning more major tournament games than any other England Manager in history.
His decision to stand down after the UEFA Euro 2024 Championships led to a wave of gratitude from fans, the media, global stakeholders and players, as well as world famous figures from politics, business, academia, religion and entertainment.
Gareth’s commitment to making a difference extends beyond football. As an international ambassador for The King’s Trust, he has donated all proceeds from his best-selling book Anything is Possible to the charity and has raised £millions for other causes, including Help for Heroes and his local children’s hospice, Martin House.
As a keynote speaker, Gareth Southgate brings his extensive experience in leadership, change management, teamwork, culture and resilience to the corporate and academic worlds. He shares invaluable insights on optimizing decision making, managing pressure, building a culture of resilience and staying true to your purpose. An avid student of elite performance, Gareth is passionate about personal development and inspiring others to reach their full potential.
His cultural impact is further highlighted by the award-winning and sell-out West End play Dear England, inspired by his heartfelt open letter to England fans during the COVID-19 pandemic, which captivated audiences and critics alike and brought his message of resilience and unity to a wider audience.
Gareth’s approach to his role was nothing short of revolutionary. He rebuilt the team’s identity from the ground up, instilling a culture of professionalism, humility and resilience. His approach fostered teamwork and trust among players, the media and millions of fans. In doing so, he turned the Head Coach role from a poisoned chalice to a source of opportunity and pride, making the often regarded “impossible job” possible.
In March 2025, he delivered the prestigious annual Richard Dimbleby Lecture live on BBC, which sparked a national debate around the challenges facing young people. He followed up the lecture with a highly acclaimed BBC documentary called Changing the Game for Young Men, which explored modern-day challenges facing young men in society. To further cement his position as a modern leader, his new book Dear England: Lessons in Leadership was published on 6 November 2025 and hailed by The Sunday Times as one of the “Best Books of 2025”.
Off the field, Gareth’s leadership shone equally bright. During times of global change and political turmoil, including the COVID-19 pandemic, Brexit and an international debate on racial and gender inequality, he emerged as a voice of reason, unity and resilience. His dignified, intelligent and authentic response earned him acclaim as a spokesperson for his players, fans and the nation. Gareth became a symbol of national pride and an ambassador for England on the global stage.
Having represented England in more games than anyone else in history, twice named BBC Sports Personality Coach of the Year, honoured with an OBE and a Knighthood for his services to football and his country, Gareth Southgate’s journey is testament to his remarkable resilience and dedication. His unwavering commitment to his team and his country is a shining example of true leadership.
