Former professional athlete, sports coach, Olympic Leader, Executive Director of Sport and current chair of Team England. We’re delighted to announce John Steele as our first keynote speaker for the Golf Club Management Conference 2025
John Steele OBE has had a distinguished career in sports leadership and management. He served as Executive Director of Sport at Loughborough University for nine years, during which time he played a pivotal role in enhancing the university’s reputation as a global leader in sports education and performance.
Before his tenure at Loughborough, Steele held key leadership positions in British sports organisations, including serving as Chief Executive of UK Sport and the Rugby Football Union (RFU). His contributions extended to ten Olympic and Paralympic Games, where he played influential roles in shaping sports policy and development.
Drawing on leadership experience from these Olympic and Paralympic Games, John reflects on the lessons from this unique period in British sport and relays his fascinating views on creating high performing teams.
Inspired from PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games, by the most successful performance ever for Team GB, he has a whole host of new business and leadership insights into how this was brilliant performance was achieved and how it can translate back into your organisation.
“John is an exceptional sports leader. He brings focus, commitment and passion to the cause of elite performance.”
Lord Sebastian Coe
Steele’s career began as a professional rugby player, competing against elite teams such as the New Zealand All Blacks and South African Springboks. After retiring from playing, he transitioned into coaching, leading Northampton Saints to a European Championship victory in 2000.
He then became Executive Director on the Saints Board during a period of unprecedented growth, and served on the England Rugby Board during the successful world cup campaign of 2003. It was no surprise that John’s talents were called upon to drive through a change and modernisation programme as CEO of the Rugby Football Union – a challenge that became controversial and ended in his departure from the post after only a year, but with his dignity and professional pride intact.
Headhunted by UK Sport, John took up post as CEO the day before London won the 2012 Olympic bid – and this promising start was sustained as he embarked on developing the UK’s high performance sport system, which he led for a six-year period of unprecedented success through the Beijing and London Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Post-London 2012, with the Olympic legacy in place and an obligation to continue inspiring a generation, John took up his post as Group Chief Executive of the Youth Sport Trust. He has also succeeded Steve Cram as Chairman of the English Institute of Sport, an organisation described as ‘the team behind the team’, which delivers a range of performance impacting solutions to over 40 Olympic and Paralympic sports and some non-Olympic sports.
His keynote will offer delegates an exclusive opportunity to learn from one of the industry’s most influential and experienced figures, gaining fresh perspectives on navigating the evolving challenges of modern sports organisations. Whether discussing elite-level management, fostering high-performance teams, or adapting to emerging industry trends, Steele’s session promises to be a must-attend event for professionals shaping the future of golf club management.
An Unmissable Event for the Industry
The Golf Club Management Conference & Exhibition 2025 will bring together experts, thought leaders, and innovators to share practical insights, strategies, and solutions for the future of golf club management. Attendees can expect a dynamic programme of keynote speakers, panel discussions, interactive workshops, and an expanded exhibition showcasing the latest products and services in the sector.
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Mark Shanley
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By Mark Shanley
