Rugby referee Nigel Owens to inspire at IAAF’s Conference

The Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF) has announced internationally acclaimed rugby referee Nigel Owens as the keynote speaker at the IAAF’s Annual Conference, set to take place on 5th December 2024 at the DoubleTree Hilton, Milton Keynes.

Nigel Owens is recognised as one of the greatest rugby referees in the world, having officiated a record number of international test matches and numerous prestigious finals, including the 2015 Rugby World Cup Final.

His career on the field is matched by his inspirational personal story, as the first openly gay man in professional rugby. Owens is also a prominent advocate for diversity, mental health and LGBTQ+ inclusion, sharing his experiences of overcoming personal adversity - a key topic at this year’s IAAF Annual Conference.

Owens’ story of resilience, overcoming bullying, and mental health challenges resonates far beyond the rugby pitch, making him the perfect choice to inspire conference attendees from across the automotive aftermarket.

The theme for this year’s IAAF Conference has just been revealed as ‘The Everyday Leader’, highlighting that Individually or as company, a fully engaged employee or business has to be ready at any time to show leadership – the automotive aftermarket is a shining example of this, and the conference will once again bring more than 250 aftermarket people together to network and grow.

Mark Field, Chief Executive of IAAF, said: “We are delighted to have someone of Nigel Owens’ calibre and character join us at the IAAF’s Annual Conference. His journey of perseverance, inclusion and personal growth echoes the values we uphold in our industry – embracing challenges, diversity, and pushing forward with resilience. Nigel’s keynote is set to be one of the most powerful moments of our 2024 event, offering our members not just motivation, but practical insights into navigating challenges in both professional and personal contexts.”