Clarke CarlisleFormer Professional Footballer and Advocate for Mental Health and Diversity

Clarke Carlisle is widely regarded as one of the most articulate and perceptive figures to emerge from professional sport. Across a distinguish career as a central defender, he represented clubs including Blackpool, Queens Park Rangers, Leeds United, and Watford. A pivotal figure in Burnley’s historic promotion to the Premier League, he was named man of the match in the 2009 play-off final. Beyond his on-pitch success, Carlisle served as the Chairman of the Professional Footballers' Association and earned three caps for the England under-21 squad. Known as Britain’s cleverest footballer following his victory on a national television tournament, Carlisle has used his platform to address the complex challenges within the modern game. He has been a prominent ambassador for the Kick It Out campaign, tackling issues of racism and homophobia with remarkable transparency. His willingness to speak openly about his personal journeys through depression and alcohol recovery has made him a vital voice in the global conversation regarding psychiatric wellbeing and the importance of removing the stigma surrounding mental health. A seasoned media contributor, Carlisle has appeared on Question Time, Countdown, and various BBC documentaries focusing on social issues in sport. He also continues to support charitable initiatives and is a dedicated advocate for improved player welfare through the PFA. Audiences book him for his extraordinary ability to link elite performance with resilience, providing a profound perspective on how diverse teams can thrive through honesty and mutual support. On stage, Clarke Carlisle is best known for talks on Wellbeing, Resilience, Diversity & Inclusion and Peak Performance. Audiences leave with a clear, practical view of the subject rather than a generic overview — every keynote is shaped around the brief and the room. Their work resonates with leaders across Health & Wellbeing, Social Impact & Advocacy and Sport, where the themes translate directly into team decisions, customer experience and growth strategy. Clarke Carlisle is regularly booked for Motivational Speaker and Presenter & Awards Host, adapting tone, length and format to suit the event — from a 20-minute opener to a full conference keynote with Q&A. Based in UK, Clarke Carlisle travels internationally for engagements. To check availability or request a tailored brief for your event, send an enquiry and we'll come back with fees, dates and a short summary of how Clarke Carlisle would approach your audience.