October Edinburgh Supper Club – Andy Nicol – Abstract UK & former Scotland Rugby Captain

Our Supper Clubs are immensely popular, consistently selling out due to their informal and relaxed atmosphere; combining inspiration, good food, and engaging conversations.  These events provide a prime opportunity for members to connect, meet new members, catch up with familiar faces and of course be inspired by an engaging speaker sharing their entrepreneurial journey.  Our speakers don’t share a ‘rose-tinted glasses’ story, they share the challenges they’ve faced along the way, as well as lessons learnt.

We’re thrilled to be welcoming the Scottish rugby legend Andy Nicol and CEO of Abstract which specialises in improving business through people globally to our October Supper Club.  A well kent face in sporting circles, Andy joined Abstract in 2013 following on from 6 years in financial services.  His transition from the pitch to business has been outstanding, he has built a second equally admirable career and has gained wide reaching  respect in business in both the UK and globally.

“My leadership credentials include being captain for both club and country before transitioning from elite sport to the media and business worlds, mastering new and often challenging environments as I have journeyed from the changing room to the green room to the board room. My communication and presentation skills have been honed and developed in these different environments and that has shaped my understanding of what it takes to lead, be led and operate at the highest level.”

Andy is a highly sought after speaker and we are very fortunate that he is going to share his nuggets of wisdom with us so don’t miss it!

ABOUT ANDY

Andy is CEO of Abstract, an international business specialising in improving business through people. They deliver award-winning learning and development solutions to embed behavioural change and permanently improve performance and results.  They develop inclusive and empowering leaders, build better workplace cultures and embed behavioural change to create high performing teams.

They work with major clients in the UK, Ireland, Poland, USA, India, Hong Kong and Dubai.  Their specialisms are Inclusive Leadership. Cultural Transformation and Behavioural Change. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion cultural development. Career Management and Development. Business Development and Performance Improvement Critical Thinking, Judgement and Decision Making.

Andy shares his experiences of being coached on the rugby pitch and is a passionate advocate of the benefits.

“In my previous life as in international rugby player, coaching was everywhere and had the highest level of importance. In any sporting organisation, the head coach is a bigger name than the CEO. Followers of football all know that Pep Guardiola is the head coach of Manchester City but who knows who the CEO is?

 

There is so much coaching, maybe too much, and every component skill has a coach attributed to it. In my sport of rugby, there are coaches for attack, defence, scrum, lineout, passing, kicking, fitness, specialist skills; the list is endless. Sir Clive Woodward brought in a ‘vision’ coach to help his players with their peripheral vision! In business, the coach or having a coach is seen as a luxury and only for those destined for greatness. I think we need to redress this imbalance and encourage more people in business to want to engage with a coach. It could be an Executive Coach who has a broad spectrum of experience and expertise, but it also can be a specialist coach. Maybe someone who needs coached on public speaking, presentation skills, how to network.

 

The need for a coach can be short-term to learn a skill and you move on to the next one. It should not be seen as a luxury but part of an individual’s personal development. Lionel Messi might be the best footballer in the world, but he still has many coaches to help him prepare for the Football World Cup. If it works in sport it must work in business”.

A familiar face on BBC Sport for 20 years, Andy is now a regular voice on BBC5 Live. He is well known for his excellent and unbiased presenting of the game.

RUGBY

Andy is a rugby legend who is also a proud Dundonian who won 23 Caps with Scotland. This was over a 10 year career. He was captain when Scotland won the Calcutta Cup in 2000. Andy enjoyed a long and successful career with Bath, where he became the first UK player to lift the prestigious Heineken Cup in 1998.  He was inducted into the Scottish Rugby Hall of Fame in 2003. He won his first cap against England in 1992. He has played for numerous teams including the British Lions, the Barbarians and Bath.  Earlier times saw him as captain for Glasgow Rugby. However, it all really started back in 1989, when he played for Dundee High RFC.

SPORT TO BUSINESS

Having retired from rugby and prior to joining Abstract, Andy worked with RBS as a Business Development Manager before moving on to Adam & Company where he was Director of Business Development.

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