Northampton Saints Business Club will welcome one of world rugby’s most respected leaders this December as Sam Warburton headlines The Captain’s Mindset – a premium flagship event exploring leadership, culture and high performance through the lens of elite sport.
Held at DPD Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens on Wednesday 9 December 2026, the lunchtime event (11am until 2pm) will bring together business leaders, senior decision-makers and high-performing professionals for an exclusive discussion on leadership, culture and performance.
Attendees will hear first‑hand insight into building winning cultures, performing under pressure and creating environments where teams and organisations can thrive.
Warburton, who earned 74 caps for Wales and captained his country 49 times, remains one of the most influential figures in modern rugby. He led Wales to two Six Nations titles, including the 2012 Grand Slam, and captained the British & Irish Lions on two tours – becoming only the second man in history to do so. His reputation for exceptional leadership, clarity under pressure and cultural influence makes him an outstanding voice for this Business Club flagship event.
The session will once again be hosted by our Business Club Ambassador Claire Thomas, whose work across TNT Sports and Premier Sports has made her a popular figure within the Saints Business Club community and beyond.
Guests will enjoy a welcome drink, a two‑course lunch and valuable networking opportunities with fellow business leaders, alongside exclusive access to leadership lessons drawn from world‑class captains and high‑performance environments.
For the first time, a limited number of places will be available to non‑members, priced at £99 + VAT per person, while Business Club members* will continue to receive priority access as part of their membership at no additional cost.
“We are incredibly excited to announce The Captain’s Mindset as our flagship Business Club event for December,” said Head of Sales & Events at Northampton Saints, James Wootton. “Leadership remains one of the most important factors in any successful organisation and this event will provide our members and guests with the opportunity to learn from an individual who has operated at the very highest level.
Now entering its fourth year, the Saints Business Club has become one of the region’s most dynamic business networks, offering flagship events, coffee mornings and a thriving online community designed to help organisations connect, collaborate and grow.
“The principles of leadership are often universal, whether you are captaining a rugby team or leading people within a business,” said Warburton. “Culture, trust, accountability and performance are all critical ingredients for success. I’m looking forward to joining Northampton Saints Business Club and sharing some of my experiences and lessons learned throughout my career.”
Previous Business Club guests include iconic rugby players Shaun Edwards, Dylan Hartley, Courtney Lawes and Stephen Myler – as well as two-time World Cup winning Red Rose, Emily Scarratt.
Other inspirational figures from the sporting world have included Ayao Komatsu (Team Principal at MoneyGram Haas F1 team), Jake Sheaf (Team England beach volleyball player and CEO of Deep Dish Beach and the UK Beach Tour), and Pamela Cookey (former England Netball captain).
The Business Club has also featured many inspirational speakers away from the sporting world on its panel – Helen Seymour (the world’s first female Eurofighter typhoon pilot and co-founder of On A Mission), Vicki Anstey (a double Guinness World Record-holding adventurer) and Dan Lowes (former RAF fighter pilot turned executive coach/speaker).
The Captain’s Mindset with Sam Warburton
Date: Wednesday 9 December 2026
Time: 11.00am–2.00pm
Venue: DPD Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens
Tickets: Attendance is included for Northampton Saints Business Club members*. A limited number of places are also available to non-members at £99 + VAT per person – for further information or to secure your place, please click HERE.
*Business Club members will receive a registration link in the coming days to secure space at the event. If you would like to book additional places, you can email events@northamptonsaints.co.uk and a member of the team will come back to you.