Will Greenwood

Rugby Commentator

British Sky Broadcasting Group PLC

London, UK

Biography

Will Greenwood, MBE, is an ex-England rugby player, who thrived at the position of Centre.

Enjoying a career that spanned 11 years, Will represented both Harlequins and Leicester Tigers, two highly respected names at club level. He also featured at international level for England, compiling 55 caps and proudly played a part in the historic 2003 World Cup victory over Australia. In addition, Greenwood also played for the British & Irish Lions during multiple tours, displaying no reluctance to perform on the grandest stage.

Since retirement, Will has gone on to establish himself as a renowned analyst for Sky Sports and The Telegraph. Will is also a successful businessman, having set up Legend Holidays & Events, a company providing family holiday experiences and corporate events, and the Sports Fest family sporting festival. His transition into the world of business was aided by his academic acumen. Prior to the commencement of his playing career, Will graduated from Durham University with a degree in economics.

Aside from his sporting and business ventures, Will is a keen charity supporter, particularly of organisations that address premature birth and child bereavement. A patron of Child Bereavement UK, Will walked to the North Pole in 2018, in memory of his son Freddie and in the process, raised an astonishing £750,000 for Borne’s Research.

Will Greenwood’s Newsfeed

Sky Sports

LISTEN: Will Greenwood's podcast - Henry Slade

On this week's podcast episode, Will Greenwood and Rupert Cox catch up with England and Exeter Chiefs centre Henry Slade.

Will Greenwood offers solution to English dilemma

England and Harlequins legend Will Greenwood has given his view on how he feels the Premiership should approach the coronavirus disruptions.

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Will Greenwood’s Background

British Sky Broadcasting Group PLC

Rugby Commentator

2006 - Present

London, UK

Sky plc is a Pan-European satellite broadcasting, on-demand internet streaming media, broadband and telephone services company with its headquarters in London. Formed in 1990, Sky is Europe's largest media company, boasting 23 million subscribers and more than 31,000 employees in 2019.

The Telegraph

Sports Journalist

Jan 2006 - Present

London, UK

Founded by Arthur B. Sleigh in 1855 as Daily Telegraph & Courier, the newspaper is published in London by Telegraph Media Group. With an international reputation for quality, the paper's motto "was, is and will be" features in every edition and has done so since April 1958. The Telegraph has the largest circulation for a broadsheet newspaper in the UK.

The British and Irish Lions

Rugby Player

1997 - 2005

London, UK

The British and Irish Lions is a rugby union team selected from players eligible for any of the Home Nations – the national sides of the British Isles; England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Generally comprising of International players, the Lions are a test side and tours of the Southern Hemisphere can be traced back to 1888.

English National Rugby Union Team

Rugby Player

1997 - 2004

London, UK

The England national rugby union team can trace its history back to 1871 and compete in the annual Six Nations tournament. Winning on 28 occasions, including 13 Grand Slams, England are the most successful team in the competition's history. Traditionally donning white shirts, with a red rose embroidered on the chest, they are the only Northern Hemisphere team to have won the World Cup.

Leicester Tigers

Rugby Player

1996 - 2000

Leicester, UK

Established in 1880, Leicester Tigers play their home matches at Welford Road Stadium. European Champions in consecutive seasons in the early 2000s, the club have won a highly respectable 20 major trophies, including a record 10 English Championships. The Tigers hold the record for successive Premiership finals appearances (9) and are one of four teams never to have suffered relegation.

Harlequins RFC

Rugby Player

1994 - 1996

London, UK

Harlequins was founded in 1866 (although the first recorded game was not until 1867) as Hampstead Football Club and renamed in 1870. Founding members of the Rugby Football Union, "Quins", as they are affectionately known, won the European Challenge Cup in 2011 and a historic first Premiership title in 2012. The team plays its home matches at Twickenham Stoop, London.

HSBC

Graduate Trainee

Jul 1994 - Jul 1996

London, UK

HSBC is a British multinational investment bank and financial services holding company. Founded in 1865 in British Hong Kong, its acronym translates as "The Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank". HSBC is Europe's largest bank and owns 3,900 offices in 65 countries throughout Asia, Africa, Europe, Oceania, North America and South America.

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Other Business Interests

Legend Holidays and Events

Director

May 2011 - Present

London, UK

Legend offers one-of-a-kind luxury family holidays and sporting events. The key difference is, they’re hosted by some of the biggest names in sport. The company aim is simple, to create legendary moments that family, friends and colleagues can treasure.

Canterbury

Ambassador

Stockport, UK

Founded in 1904, Canterbury of New Zealand is a UK based sports clothing company, specialising in rugby. The brand's name derives from the location the company was established, Canterbury, New Zealand. Its appeal gathered momentum having produced kit for the All Blacks and the company logo, featuring three kiwi birds, represents its three founding members.

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Philanthropy

Borne

Patron

Jan 2002 - Present

London, UK

Borne is a medical research charity based in Imperial College facilities at Chelsea And Westminster Hospital. Their aim is to identify the causes of premature birth to save lives, prevent disability and create lifelong health for mothers and babies.

Child Bereavement Charity

Patron

Jan 2002 - Present

London, UK

Child Bereavement UK supports families and educates professionals when a baby or child of any age dies, is dying or when a child is facing bereavement. Founded in 1994 as The Child Bereavement Trust by Jenni Thomas OBE, an influential figure within the NHS who worked with the charity throughout its first 15 years.

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Media

On The Ball

Media Appearance - "Will Greenwood tells the story about the time he almost died playing for the British & Irish Lions"

Dec 2019

Galway, IE

Appearing as part of a Heineken Rugby Club Roadshow, Greenwood, along with former Ireland player Brian O'Driscoll, detail various experiences that occurred throughout their career. Among the many tales relived, Will extensively explains the harrowing time he almost lost his life after a freak tackle whilst playing for the British and Irish Lions.

Publications

Bulgarian Bruises, Bloodgate and Other Stories: The Changing World of Rugby

Author

May 2013

London, UK

Achieving about all there is to achieve in the game of rugby, Will offers fascinating insight, from hilarious character sketches to technical discussion and recollections of that historic 2003 World Cup win with England. Touching upon various aspects of the sport, both grassroots level and featuring as a professional, this title is a must for rugby fanatics.

Will: The Autobiography of Will Greenwood

Author

Jun 2005

London, UK

A proud Lancastrian and considered abundantly intelligent, Greenwood's engaging nature and wit come across strongly as he relives the key moments of a glittering career. Discussing the moment he almost lost his life due to a brutal tackle and away from his playing career, expanding on heartbreak and joy experienced in his personal life, Will covers all bases.

Will Greenwood’s Education

Durham University

Economics

1991 - 1994

Sedbergh School

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