Tony Underwood

Tony Underwood is a former England & British Lions Rugby Player, Airline Captain and Leadership, Resilience & High Performance Speaker.

Tony Underwood is a former England and British & Irish Lions international rugby player renowned for his explosive pace, intelligence on the field, and ability to perform under pressure. Over the years, Tony has become a highly sought-after professional speaker, sharing his insights on leadership, teamwork, resilience, and high performance with audiences across the UK and internationally.

He has inspired corporate teams, industry conferences, sports clubs, and educational institutions, delivering talks that are engaging, practical, and full of authentic stories from his dual careers in sport and aviation.

Booking is easy with Great British Talent. To find out availability and fees for Tony Underwood or any other talent for your corporate event or project, contact our Great British Talent agents via [email protected], or call us on +44 1753 439289. Alternatively, fill out our talent enquiry form here . We’ll aim to respond within the hour. Our knowledgeable team of experts can handle all aspects of your booking to ensure it runs flawlessly.

Type Of Speaker

After Dinner Creativity, Change & Innovation Education High Performance Keynote Leadership & Teamwork Motivational Personal Development Resilience Speaker Sport Travel Virtual Speakers

More About Tony Underwood

Following his retirement from international rugby, Tony Underwood, having previously trained as a pilot with the RAF, went on to fly for EasyJet. He later became a long-haul pilot for Virgin Atlantic, followed by piloting an Airbus A380 for Emirates.

Tony was also featured on ITV’s Airline, documenting his training to become a pilot, graduating, and completing his first flight with EasyJet from London Luton Airport to Zurich.

His aviation career demanded the same discipline, focus, and teamwork that defined his time in elite sport—skills he now shares with audiences around the world.

Drawing from his experiences in two elite arenas, Tony offers audiences rare insights into leadership, resilience, adaptability, and personal growth, sharing stories that bridge the worlds of sport and aviation. Whether discussing lessons from facing the All Blacks or the precision required in the cockpit, Tony’s talks are engaging, authentic, and deeply inspiring.

Speaking Topics:

High Performance Under Pressure: What elite rugby and aviation teach about focus, discipline, and calm decision-making.
Leadership and Teamwork: Building trust and communication in high-performance teams.
Resilience and Adaptability: Thriving through change—from Twickenham to the flight deck.
Lessons in Risk and Safety: How mindset and culture drive performance and safety in sport and aviation.

Tony Underwood hire former Rugby player speaker book at agent Great British Speakers

Career Highlights:

27 caps for England Rugby (1992–1998)
British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand (1993)
Scored in multiple Five Nations campaigns
Commercial Airline Pilot & Captain, EasyJet and Virgin Atlantic
Featured on ITV’s Airline
Experienced corporate speaker and leadership consultant

Tony Underwood hire former Rugby player speaker book at agent Great British Speakers
Tony’s delivery blends humour, humility, and high-performance insight. His talks resonate across industries—appealing equally to business leaders, educators, and sports enthusiasts. He is known for his relatable storytelling, drawing powerful parallels between teamwork on the field and collaboration in business.