Former England rugby international James Haskell is to be one of the headline acts at SALTEX, the UK’s leading sports turf, grounds care and landscaping exhibition being held at the NEC Birmingham on 12-13 November, after being signed to appear as both a keynote speaker and a guest DJ.
Haskell, who earned 77 caps for his country, as well as competing internationally for the British and Irish Lions, is known as much for his ability on the field as for his personality off it. As a former professional athlete, he understands first-hand the critical role high-quality playing surfaces play in elite performance, and he brings a genuine appreciation for the work of grounds staff and turf professionals at all levels.
Since retiring from professional rugby in 2019, Haskell has embarked on a multi-faceted career as a podcaster, presenter and professional DJ. He hosts several podcasts, including The Good, The Bad and The Rugby, and he has also appeared on hit shows such as I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, The Chase, A League of Their Own, Question of Sport, Fighting Talk, and many more well-known TV and radio shows.
Haskell’s keynote session, which forms part of a stellar Learning LIVE line up, will explore the parallels between elite sport and professional development, touching on leadership, resilience and the importance of adaptability in high-performance environments. exploring the parallels between elite sport and professional development, touching on leadership, resilience and the importance of adaptability in high-performance environments.
Later on the 40-year-old former Wasps flanker will also perform an exclusive live DJ set at the SALTEX Clubhouse to kick off ‘Happy Hour’ on Wednesday afternoon. Known for his love for electronic music, Haskell’s set is set to bring ‘Café Mambo vibes’ to Birmingham – blending uplifting house beats with a relaxed, Ibiza-inspired atmosphere.
The Clubhouse offers visitors to SLATEX an opportunity to unwind and network in a vibrant, informal setting. Open throughout the show, the venue will also host a series of networking events.
Haskell said: “I’m really looking forward to joining everyone at SALTEX this year. I know first-hand the difference that world-class pitches make to performance, so it’ll be great to share my experiences from the professional game with the people who make it all possible. High performance isn’t just about elite sport and sportspeople, it’s about mindset and finding ways to bring out your best every day. I can’t wait to dive into that with the visitors, and then round things off with a DJ set in the Clubhouse.”
Sarah Hunter, Head of Events at the Grounds Management Association, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have James Haskell joining us at SALTEX 2025. He is one of the UK’s most recognisable sporting personalities and brings a wealth of experience from the very highest levels of performance, both on and off the pitch. His session will offer valuable insight into resilience and mindset but also provide plenty of entertaining stories. And, of course, what better way to round off the day than with James swapping the microphone for the decks to kick-start Happy Hour in the Clubhouse Bar. It’s going to be a real highlight of the show.”
SALTEX 2025 is expected to welcome thousands of professionals and volunteers from across the sports turf, grounds care and landscaping sectors, with more than 400 brands and 65-plus expert speakers confirmed.
Register for free to attend SALTEX ’25 by visiting www.saltex.org.uk.