Rugby legend Jonathan Davies OBE delivers management masterclass at Gower College Swansea
Rugby legend Jonathan Davies OBE delivers management masterclass at Gower College Swansea
Gower College Swansea’s Sketty Hall Business School recently hosted a high-profile leadership masterclass featuring former international rugby player and broadcaster Jonathan Davies OBE. The event brought together a wide range of South Wales business leaders to explore the intersection of elite sport and high-performance business management.
The session, part of the College’s ongoing management masterclass series, was moderated by the College’s Business Development Consultant, Stuart Davies — himself a former Wales rugby international. Attendees included senior figures from notable organisations such as Kier Construction, Castell Howell Foods, Admiral, Pobl, the Ospreys, and Swansea City AFC.
Drawing on his distinguished career in rugby and broadcasting, Davies offered a compelling presentation that focused on key themes such as resilience, goal setting, crisis management, and the importance of learning from both success and failure. He illustrated how the mindset and discipline developed in professional sport can directly inform strategic thinking, leadership, and culture within the corporate world.
“It was a real pleasure to speak at the College and share some of the personal experiences and lessons I’ve learnt throughout my career,” said Davies. “The parallels between sport and business are clear — from building resilient teams to leading through challenges. Events like this help open up fresh perspectives and foster collaboration across sectors.”
Mark Jones MBE, CEO of Gower College Swansea, emphasized the value of such events in connecting business and education. “Our vision for Sketty Hall Business School is to deliver leadership and management education in a practical, inspiring way. Jonathan’s session highlighted the powerful, transferable skills from elite sport that can benefit business leaders and students alike.”
The session resonated strongly with attendees. Ben Davies, Managing Director of LBS Builders Merchants, commented, “It was a fantastic event. Hearing how principles from sport—such as trust, leadership, and motivation—translate to business was incredibly valuable.”
Simon Pritchard, Chair of Manufacturing Wales, added: “Jonathan Davies’ talk, Beyond the Try Line, was a masterclass in leadership. His insights on building culture, embracing risk, and leading with resilience are directly relevant to the challenges we face in Welsh manufacturing.”
The event reflects Sketty Hall Business School’s broader mission to provide hands-on, real-world learning opportunities for students and the regional business community, helping bridge the gap between theory and practice.
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