ABOUT JAMES RULE
The Lonely leader was founded by James Rule who has spent over twenty years in the world of elite sport. As a professional rugby union player, he represented his country at Under 21 level and played in the English Premiership, Championship and French First Division.
He went on to serve as a Chief Executive, Director and part owner of two different rugby league clubs in the Super League. Firstly with Hull FC where he became the youngest CEO in Super League history at the age of 28. Latterly with Widnes Vikings where his appointment made him the first person to hold the position of Chief Executive at two separate Super League clubs.
On the field during his time at Hull FC the club won the first silverware in a generation lifting the Challenge cup in 2005. They were also losing finalists in the 2006 Grand Final and 2009 Challenge Cup Final. They received the highest possible grading during six successive years of licensing, recognition of the quality of the clubs on field performances and business administration At Widnes the club worked their way up the Super League table achieving their highest ever league finish in 2016. They built a nationally recognised model of youth development, with more than half the senior squad home grown products of the Academy. The multi faceted community programmes at both clubs clearly demonstrated the power sport can have to engage, educate and inspire its local community.
His leadership has seen his teams recognised with prestigious awards from the Rugby Football league and Super League such as Club of the Year and Charitable Foundation of the year.
In 2017, James was recognised with a Making A Difference Award nomination at the prestigious 3rd Sector Care Awards for his social impact - the first ever private sector nominee.


He was recognised at the Oscars of the NHS in 2018 by winning an HSJ award for Innovation. At the Leaders in Sport Conference 2018 James and his team won the coveted “Best Global Sponsorship” for an innovative partnership with the NHS called “Beat The Scrum.”
The competition for this prestigious award included DHL, Natwest Bank and Head and Shoulders working with Manchester United, The England Cricket team and the NFL respectively.
These awards were independent validation for leadership that found opportunity in adversity and utilised innovation to overcome the challenges presented by operating with an inferior level of resource.
Accompanying the successes of two decades in sport and leadership there have also been failures and times of adversity. James embraces those periods and authentically shares the lessons he learnt as a consequence.
James’ experiences have resulted in him being sought out to share his expertise as a key note speaker and coach with leading national and international figures in sports, business, health, policy making and community development.
Through our speaking, mentoring and coaching programmes he strives to assist the leaders of today in their development with insights and strategies that will better equip them to meet the challenges of tomorrow.
