If you work in the sports industry but haven’t received an invitation to one of Jimmy Worrall’s events, it’s a sign that you haven’t reached a certain level of success. Worrall, the founder of Leaders In Sport, a London-based conferencing and publishing business with a global presence, is well known for his networking abilities.
Renowned figures like Sir Dave Brailsford, who is leading Manchester United back to success, have been frequent guests at Worrall’s events, with Brailsford sometimes even headlining them. A decade ago, Worrall launched P8, an offshoot of the Leaders conferences, bringing together top names like Carlo Ancelotti, Billy Beane, Gareth Southgate, Arsene Wenger, and Toto Wolff to discuss job-related issues in an intimate setting, free of media and sponsors.
Worrall likens these gatherings to an advanced Master’s degree program and points out that Brailsford’s insights often stand out. According to Worrall, Brailsford is regarded as the best high-performance thinker globally, a sentiment echoed by figures like Dan Ashworth, Director of Football at Newcastle United.
Brailsford, who turned 60, has a background rooted in adversity, self-reliance, and technical skill, inherited from his father John, a master blacksmith and mountain guide. Brailsford’s early career as a professional cyclist set the stage for his eventual success in high-performance coaching, first with British Cycling and then with Team GB.
Brailsford’s success in achieving Olympic dominance through the concept of marginal gains has been widely acclaimed, leading to multiple gold medals and world championships for British cycling. His ability to improve performance through small incremental changes has been a cornerstone of his coaching philosophy and has set him apart as a leader in the sports industry.