A knockout networking lunch: Frank Bruno’s advice to Champions

Alexander Charles Associates Director Kelvin Trott, was delighted to host some of his amazing clients at a networking lunch with sporting hero Frank Bruno.

The heavyweight boxing champion has enjoyed a phenomenal professional career which has encompassed 40 wins (38 by knockout, making for a 95% knockout rate) and 5 defeats. During the lunch Bruno described the highs and lows of an exceptionally eventful career, including the three times he tried and failed to become world champion until, on his fourth attempt, he defeated Oliver McCall to claim the WBC belt in 1995 at a packed Wembley Stadium. Bruno shared his insights to what makes a champion and discussed the other difficult fights in his life including his battle with mental health problems.

Bruno’s speech during the lunch was truly inspirational. The recounting of his experiences and battles both within the ring and outside of it, moved the audience to a standing ovation. Many commented on how thought provoking the speech was; and what a universal life lesson it is to be able to fully appreciate huge success when triumph includes overcoming challenges of great adversity.

The lunch was a great opportunity to take home lessons from the sporting arena and translate them into tactics for business success, and to network with a group of champions at the top of their game in their own professional arena. Other guests included former rugby league legend Andy Gregory, former England test bowler Tim Munton and parlaympic rowing gold medallist David Smith. It was also a fruitful opportunity for ACA’s clients to catch-up on the key issues in their own sectors.