Winning in Sport and Business

Join us for an extraordinary afternoon celebrating the very best of rugby, leadership and camaraderie, with England Rugby legend Martin Johnson CBE, hosted by the charismatic Kyran Bracken MBE, in the iconic surroundings of Smith & Wollensky.

Guests will enjoy a three-course feast fit for champions, with each dish crafted to perfection. Between courses, Martin will share stories and insights from an extraordinary career at the very highest level of the game – from captaining club and country to leading England to their historic 2003 Rugby World Cup victory.

The afternoon will also feature a special Q&A with Martin Johnson CBE and renowned businessman Nigel Wray, bringing together two hugely successful figures from the worlds of elite sport and business. Expect fascinating conversation around leadership, resilience, building winning teams and performing under pressure, alongside plenty of memorable rugby stories.

With outstanding food, exceptional company and the opportunity to hear first-hand from one of the most influential figures in English rugby history, this promises to be a truly unmissable afternoon.

Martin Johnson CBE

Martin Johnson CBE is one of the most respected and accomplished figures in English rugby, best known for captaining England to their historic Rugby World Cup triumph in 2003.

A commanding presence both on and off the field, Martin enjoyed an outstanding playing career with Leicester Tigers, England and the British & Irish Lions. Renowned for his uncompromising standards, determination and natural leadership, he became one of the defining players of his generation.

Martin captained England during one of the most successful periods in the nation’s rugby history, culminating in the unforgettable 2003 World Cup final in Sydney. Under his leadership, England defeated Australia to become world champions – a moment that remains one of British sport’s greatest achievements.

His international career included 84 appearances for England, while he also represented the British & Irish Lions on three tours, becoming the first player to captain the Lions on two separate tours. At club level, his long association with Leicester Tigers brought numerous domestic and European honours.

Following his retirement as a player, Martin returned to the international stage as England team manager, giving him the rare perspective of experiencing elite rugby both as a player and as the man responsible for leading the national side.

Throughout his career, Martin became synonymous with leadership, resilience, discipline and the relentless pursuit of excellence. His experiences of building successful teams, handling pressure and making decisions when the stakes could not be higher extend far beyond rugby and offer powerful lessons for business and leadership.

Few people understand what it takes to lead at the very highest level quite like Martin Johnson. His stories, experiences and insights promise to make this a fascinating and memorable afternoon.

Nigel Wray

Few figures in modern sport-business embody entrepreneurial vision quite like Nigel Wray. Known publicly for his long stewardship of Saracens, Wray’s reputation extends far beyond the rugby field. His career represents a rare fusion of sharp commercial instinct, strategic risk-taking, and a belief that sport—when run with ambition—can become a powerful business and cultural institution

Across industries—from food retail to insurance brokerage to elite sport—Nigel Wray’s story is fundamentally one of vision. He has repeatedly demonstrated the ability to spot potential early, commit resources boldly, and support organizations through the long process of growth.

His legacy is therefore not confined to any single company or club. It lies in the pattern of success across multiple ventures: identifying scalable opportunities, backing strong leadership, and building institutions capable of competing—and winning—on the biggest stages.

In the modern intersection of business and sport, Nigel Wray stands as a compelling example of how entrepreneurial drive can reshape entire organizations and leave a lasting mark on both industry and culture.

Before becoming synonymous with Saracens, Wray had already built a formidable reputation in British business. He was an early and influential investor in Domino’s Pizza Group during its formative expansion in the United Kingdom. At a time when the brand’s future in the UK market was far from guaranteed, Wray recognized the scalability of the franchise model and backed it with conviction.

That investment became one of the most successful growth stories in British consumer business, demonstrating Wray’s ability to identify opportunity long before it becomes obvious to the wider market.

He also played a major role in the development of Hyperion Insurance Group, which later evolved into the global broking powerhouse Howden Group Holdings. His involvement in building and supporting high-growth financial services ventures cemented his standing as a strategic investor capable of helping scale businesses into international operations.

Reserve your place today to ensure you don’t miss this remarkable afternoon of connection, conversation, and celebration. Seats are limited, so early booking is encouraged.

For bookings and enquiries please email – southernsportingclubs@gmail.com

£159.50pp excl vat

Private tables are available for groups of 10 to 15 guests.