World Rugby Referee | Rugby World Cup Final Official | Motivational Speaker | LGBTQ+ Advocate | S4C Presenter
Nigel Owens is a farmer and has been for several years, having fulfilling a lifelong ambition after retiring from rugby refereeing. He farms in Carmarthenshire, Wales, with his Mairwen herd of pedigree Hereford cattle and has become an advocate for rural issues.
He is also know as Nigel Owens MBE, one of the most respected and recognisable figures in world rugby — a Welsh international referee who has officiated at the sport’s highest level, including the Rugby World Cup Final and multiple Heineken Cup Finals.
He was the only Welsh referee selected for the 2007 and 2011 Rugby World Cups, making his World Cup debut in Lyon refereeing Argentina vs Georgia. Widely regarded as one of the greatest rugby referees of all time, Nigel reached the pinnacle of his career in 2015, when he was chosen to referee the Rugby World Cup Final between New Zealand and Australia — a moment that cemented his legacy in the sport.
Beyond his professional achievements, Nigel Owens has made a global impact as an advocate for diversity, inclusion, and mental health in sport. He is widely recognised as the first openly gay referee to officiate at international level, and his courage in sharing his story has inspired countless others to embrace authenticity.
In recognition of his contribution to sport and equality, Nigel was named Stonewall’s Gay Sports Personality of the Year (2007), inducted into the Gorsedd of Bards (2011) at the National Eisteddfod, and awarded an MBE for services to sport (2016).
A fluent Welsh speaker, Nigel is also a familiar face on television as a presenter for S4C’s Jonathan, the popular rugby chat show hosted by Jonathan Davies, and co-host of Bwrw’r Bar, another sports-themed Welsh-language programme.
Today, Nigel is one of the UK’s most in-demand motivational and after-dinner speakers, captivating audiences with his trademark humour, honesty, and powerful storytelling. His talks draw on lessons from both his professional and personal life — blending insight, inspiration, and leadership in a way few can match.
From rugby fields to keynote stages, Nigel Owens MBE continues to inspire audiences worldwide — a true Welsh sporting icon whose story champions courage, character, and compassion.
