Organisers of SALTEX, the GMA have confirmed that rugby legend, media personality and best-selling author James Haskell will take centre stage as this year's keynote address - and then later will be doing a DJ set in the Clubhouse bar.

At the NEC, Birmingham on 12-13 November 2025, the GMA say James will be drawing on his career as one of England’s most recognisable rugby players and his journey from elite sport to the media and business worlds. They say he will share on:

Resilience & Discipline

How elite athletes build resilience, discipline and mental toughness - skills that translate to leading teams and managing high-performance grounds

Teamwork & Communication

Lessons in teamwork and communication that enhance collaboration across crews and departments, just like on the rugby pitch

Adaptability & Wellbeing

Why staying adaptable and prioritising wellbeing helps grounds teams thrive in fast-moving, high-stakes environments

Insights & Anecdotes

Stories from James’ career - with nods to the role of expertly maintained pitches in supporting peak performance