Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
Languages
Timeline
Damian Hopley MBE

Damian Hopley MBE

London

Summary

Self starting Founder who emerged from a successful professional sporting career to create one of the most successful and highly respected Players Association in modern sport.

A highly skilled negotiator working across National and International Teams, driving significant revenue and return to commercial programmes and partners and relationship builder with a proven track record in starting up and organisational growth in sport.

An influential and charismatic leader who prides himself on developing teams to work cohesively to exceed targets.

Through working in professional sport, Damian has significant experience and a proven track record in crisis management and media relations

Skillset: Strategic Negotiation; Crisis Management; Business Development; Sponsorship; Stakeholder Management; Event Management; New Business Development; Media Relations;

Overview

28
28
years of professional experience

Work history

Money Broker

Icap
London
04.1994 - 09.1995


  • First job after leaving Cambridge University
  • Worked on the successful Repo desk at Icap
  • Was playing first class and International rugby at the same time (amateur)
  • Client facing, social (when rugby permitted), early starts, long hours, ability to identify and source new clients and deliver financial transactions essential

Professional Rugby Player

Wasps & England
London
09.1995 - 03.1997
  • Integral part of the successful Wasps team 1990 - 1996
  • Member of the Grand Slam 1991 England Squad
  • Member of the England RWC 7’s winning team 1993
  • Member of the England RWC Squad 1995
  • Highly regarded and excellent tourist

Group CEO

The Rugby Players Association (England)
London
08.1998 - 08.2022


  • Founded the RPA in August 1998 driven by purpose, passion and the desire to make a significant difference to supporting professional rugby players in England and around the world.
  • No funding for the organisation except for player subscriptions meant I had to influence, promote and deliver key strategies with a 2 person team in the initial 2 years of the organisation.
  • Successful entrepreneurial spirit allied to clear strategic thinking and stakeholder influencing lead to development of local, national and international programmes designed to promote and protect players interests.
  • I was a key driver in creating enhanced player security through standard form contracts, personal development programmes and enhanced personal accident and medical protection in England and around the rugby world.
  • Grew the team from foundation level to 22 staff over 2 highly successful decades and generated millions of pounds in stakeholder, commercial and charity funding over that period.
  • Was central in negotiations for England Team payments since 2003 and was the main negotiatior for the British & Irish Lions player contracts since 2001.
  • A strong commercial operator with a proven track record in delivering support and success to both the RPA and IRP programmes over my time in charge.

Chairman

International Rugby Players
Dublin
05.2007 - 09.2017
  • Chaired IRP Player and Board meetings, disseminating information and fielded questions.
  • Worked closely with Rob Nichol, CEO, to develop strong Players Associations around the rugby world.
  • Agreed and signed off a long term Memorandum of Understanding between World Ruby and IRP
  • Agreed a long term funding model with World Rugby and IRP and established key ways of working to enhance the relationship between both parties.
  • Oversaw and managed the selection process to appoint a full time CEO in 2016.
  • Previously staged 2 IRP World Player of the Year Awards in London to help generate income for the benevolent funds that supported injured players.

Education

Masters - Theology

St Andrews University , Fife
09/1988 - 05/1992

PGCE - Education

University of Cambridge , Cambridge
09/1992 - 12/1993

Skills

  • Entrepreneurship; the ability to set up a successful business from the ground up;
  • Leadership; a highly respected leader and relationship builder across all sectors of sport;
  • Strategic planning: in order to achieve its mission statement and delivery key support to the most at risk player cohort, be that playing, recently retired or longer term retired;
  • Problem solving: A proven ability to thrive in challenging circumstances across diverse areas of professional sport and industry;
  • Crisis Management: Consistently delivering clear and forthright direction and comment in all crisis;
  • Public facing: I thrive in the public facing opportunities, be that the highs of successful outcomes or the significant challenges that have arisen;
  • Industry knowledge: Over 30 years experience of growing a fledgling professional sport as both player and administrator;
  • I am driven by cause and purpose and was awarded an MBE for my services to rugby in 2020 as a recognition of my significant service to the game

Languages

Spanish
Intermediate
French
Intermediate

Timeline

Chairman - International Rugby Players
05.2007 - 09.2017
Group CEO - The Rugby Players Association (England)
08.1998 - 08.2022
Professional Rugby Player - Wasps & England
09.1995 - 03.1997
Money Broker - Icap
04.1994 - 09.1995
St Andrews University - Masters, Theology
09/1988 - 05/1992
University of Cambridge - PGCE, Education
09/1992 - 12/1993

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Damian Hopley MBE