When Business Titans Meet Sporting Giants
It was always going to be an afternoon to remember when business titans met sporting giants! Last Tuesday three of Britain’s best sportspeople met with Captains of Industry at the Alexander Charles Associates (ACA) annual sporting lunch. This special event also acted as a fundraised for the Ahoy Centre, ACA’s charity of the year.
Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, Sir Geoff Hurst and Lawrence Dallaglio made for a phenomenal sporting trio. They were joined by 100 CEOs, CFOs and other leaders representing Britain’s most innovative and successful companies. Also in attendance were VIPs such as Gemma Oaten, actress and charity campaigner (for SEED eating disorders support service). They exchanged banter, anecdotes and insights into achieving the highest levels of success in their fields.
The afternoon kicked off with a meet and greet drinks reception and a commemorative photo session for all attendees. A welcome speech was then given by Kelvin Trott CEO of Alexander Charles Associates on the theme of artificial intelligence. Kelvin urged industry leaders to create AI as a force for inclusion rather than a technology of division. He highlighted the need for sensitivity towards disadvantaged groups such as the elderly, disabled people, and others not readily able to access AI. This sparked a lot of interesting discussions during the 3-course lunch, expertly prepared by staff at M restaurant.
Mr Ian Stafford, founder and director of The Sporting Club, then hosted an exciting afternoon of lively discussion with the panel of sporting stars. The panel included:
– football world cup winner Sir Geoff Hurst
– rugby world cup winner Lawrence Dallaglio
– 11 time paralympic gold medallist Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson who is now active in the House of Lords.
The group shared stories of their career highs and insights about how they achieved them and opened the floor to questions. There was much discussion of how sporting and business success share striking parallels. This centred on the value of discipline, teamwork, and strategic thinking. Just as athletes dedicate themselves to rigorous training regimes, business leaders invest time in honing their skills and knowledge. Teamwork is essential in both arenas to achieve collective goals; athletes rely on their teammates and employees depend on their colleagues. Strategic planning, akin to devising game strategies, is crucial in navigating the competitive landscape and making informed decisions. Adaptability, resilience, and a relentless drive to improve are virtues that athletes and business professionals must cultivate to thrive. Ultimately, both domains demand a blend of talent, hard work, and a commitment to continuous growth in the pursuit of excellence.
The event wrapped with fundraising in aid of the Ahoy Centre, a watersports based charity changing lives and building life skills through sailing and rowing. The final total has not yet been established (as part of the fundraising was a silent auction) but currently stands at £2,200. We know that one of the silent auction items; a football shirt signed by Sir Geoff Hurst fetched £700.
Alexander Charles Associates takes great pride and pleasure in hosting networking events. Networking is a vital aspect of modern recruitment which plays a pivotal role in connecting employers with top talent. In the realm of recruitment, effective networking isn’t just about exchanging business cards; it’s about building meaningful relationships and fostering connections across industry. We find that these types of events are the perfect incubator for such relationships. Successful recruitment hinges on the ability to leverage these networks to identify, attract, and retain the best-fit candidates who can drive an organization’s growth and success. The relationships aren’t just valuable in the world of recruitment, however, strategic networking is a key to unlocking a variety of opportunities and collaborations.
