HOLO
Presenting...
Karl Dickson
Leading International Rugby Referee | High Performance Speaker

Profile
Karl Dickson is one of the world’s most respected rugby referees, and a former Premiership-winning scrum-half who brings a rare dual perspective to the game. As both a player and a match official, he has experienced over 250 top-level matches, developing a reputation for calm authority, exceptional communication, and an unwavering commitment to high standards.
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Karl is a deep thinker, with an exceptional coaching mindset - passionate about development, growth, and continual learning. He speaks with clarity and honesty about high performance, emotional regulation, and marginal gains, drawing on the Japanese philosophy of kaizen to illustrate how the smallest improvements can lead to world-class outcomes.
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Throughout his career, Karl has remained grounded, humble, and intentional. He offers deep insights into elite environments, where decision-making under pressure can define careers. Whether he is refereeing a World Cup quarter-final or mentoring future officials, he brings the same mindset: show up, stay composed, and always evolve.
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Karl connects best with audiences in conversation — open dialogue, thoughtful questions, and shared reflection. His storytelling shines during Q&A sessions, panels, and podcasts, where he brings sharp insight, lived authority, and genuine humility. Drawing from some of the biggest moments in international sport, Karl speaks with perspective and purpose, offering real value to teams, leaders, and organisations navigating pressure and performance.
Highlights
Made 169 appearances for Harlequins and played a pivotal role in their 2012 Premiership Final victory over Leicester Tigers.
Refereed the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final between Wales and Argentina.
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Served as assistant referee in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final between South Africa and New Zealand.
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Took charge of the 2025 Premiership Rugby Final between Bath and Leicester Tigers at the Allianz Stadium.
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Appointed to referee the 2025 Rugby Championship showdown between the All Blacks and Springboks at Eden Park.


Key Themes
Pressure and Performance: What it takes to stay composed in high-stakes, high-profile situations.
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The 1% Mindset: Exploring marginal gains, continual growth, and the kaizen approach to improvement.
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Setbacks and Resilience: Navigating adversity, transition, and identity shifts at the elite level.
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Communication and Confidence: Building trust, speaking clearly, and listening well in high-pressure environments.
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Leadership Without Ego: Making critical decisions, holding authority, and staying grounded through it all.
Karl Dickson
Quick Look
Located: Addlestone, Surrey
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Who: Former Harlequins player and world-class international rugby referee with a coaching mindset and a deep commitment to growth.
Known For: Refereeing major international matches, including the Rugby World Cup 2023 and the 2025 Premiership Final, and for speaking with clarity on pressure, leadership, and marginal gains.
Available For: After-dinner talks, panels, Q&A sessions, and high-performance speaking engagements.
Popular With: Corporate teams, leadership groups, performance-focused organisations, and event curators seeking humility, humour, and world-class insight.
