University hosts event exploring lessons from a Paralympic sport for high-flying businesses

University of Wolverhampton hosts webinar exploring effective leadership, organisational culture, and embracing disability.

The webinar, which takes place on Monday 2 June, features prominent spokespersons from the world of British Judo as well as EDI leads in higher education.

The event will explore the parallels between elite sports and business environments, focusing on the high-pressure, performance-driven nature of both fields; and discuss the all-important role of motivation and support, championing for the consideration of needs and abilities.

Aimed at middle managers, line managers, those with responsibility for Equality, Diversity & Inclusion within their workplace, and everyone in between, the event examines what makes an effective leader and how a positive organisational culture can be cultivated, rather than compromised.

Key speakers:

• Ian Johns, Head Paralympic Coach for British Judo, will share the strategies that have led to British Judo's success on the world stage, including four medals in the last two Olympic/Paralympic cycles.
• Professor Geoff Layer, former Vice-Chancellor and Disability Ambassador for Universities, will discuss the critical role of leadership in achieving excellence.

Senior EDI Advisor at the University of Wolverhampton, Dr Melanie Best, and her colleague, Dr Chris Sellars, Head of School and Associate Professor, School of Sport & Wellbeing, Leeds Trinity University, will reflect on their research with British Judo and offer insights into what effective leadership looks like.

Lead organiser of the event, Dr Melanie Best, who is also Lead of RIDE HIGHER (NADSN), emphasises: "Disability is often an overlooked asset in business. This webinar challenges this notion and offers lessons from Paralympic sport that all businesses can benefit from. Inclusion helps everyone, not just those with protected characteristics."

Adam Vasco, Director of Diversity & Inclusion in Professional Practice at the University of Wolverhampton, also joins the discussion exploring the current climate of businesses and how diversity is ‘handled’ rather than honed.

The event will conclude with actionable take-home messages for businesses on how to implement these learnings from Paralympic sport to enhance leadership and leverage a diverse workforce.

Event details:

• Date: Monday 2 June 2025
• Time: 12.30 pm – 2pm

To register for this free webinar, please visit Eventbrite. Upon signing up, participants will receive joining information and a short, anonymised form to help shape the webinar.

Anyone interested in studying for courses at the School of Sport at the University of Wolverhampton should register for one of our forthcoming Open Days.