Unlocking Human Potential.
Igniting Performance.
Executive Leadership Coach, Consultant and Speaker
Origin Story
I’m Rory Lawson—a former Scotland rugby captain and startup founder turned executive leadership consultant.
Across a decade of elite sport, and another in business, I’ve learned this:
Performance is human first.
The leaders who create trust, clarity, and energy—consistently—are the ones who win over time.
Representing my country on the global stage—leading Scotland in the Six Nations and Rugby World Cup—taught me what it takes to lead and perform in pressure environments. Resilience. Adaptability. Collective focus. I learned that results are rarely about talent alone—they’re about mindset, connection, and the ability to simplify the complex in moments that matter.
Later, as co-founder and CEO of a high-growth startup, I built a business from blank page to exit. That chapter taught me how to lead through ambiguity, scale with speed, and keep people aligned when everything’s moving fast. It sharpened my belief in the power of a high-performance mindset, the ability to reframe what’s possible, and the importance of cutting through noise to achieve clarity and direction.
Today, I bring those lessons into my work with leaders and leadership teams across sectors—from Google Cloud and Allianz to private equity-backed businesses and scaling organisations. Much of this work is delivered through my partnership with Ceannas, whose purpose-driven ethos of “making leadership human” is deeply aligned with my own. I partner with people who are curious, ambitious, and committed to rethinking what high performance really means—for themselves and their teams.
My mission is to support those who want to elevate their leadership and impact—not just by doing more, but by doing what matters most, with clarity and intent.
Whether I’m coaching an executive, advising a team, or delivering a leadership programme, my goal is simple:
To help people lead—and be at their best—most of the time.
Because high performance isn’t about perfection.
It’s about showing up human, focused, and ready—again and again.
What makes Consultancy9 different?
It is about real partnerships, with purpose—
A space to think clearly, lead bravely, and grow into the leader you were always capable of becoming.
A truly unique blend of elite sport and business leadership
I have captained Scotland on the world stage and led a startup from concept to exit. That dual lens—of elite sport and entrepreneurial leadership—equips me to support leaders navigating pressure, performance, and growth in fast-paced, high-stakes environments.
Focus on High Performance
High performance isn’t accidental—it is built. From elite sport to business, I help leaders create high-performance cultures rooted in trust, clarity, and accountability—where people consistently show up at their best, and performance becomes repeatable, not reliant on heroics.
Leadership through experience
My lived experience—leading in real-world scenarios where decision-making and influence were critical to success, both on the international sports stage and while scaling a business—shapes how I support leaders to show up with clarity, composure, and impact when it matters most.
Passion for people first
Performance starts with the person. I help leaders grow not just in role, but in self—holding up the mirror to build awareness, authenticity, and clarity. Because when leaders connect to who they are, they create the conditions for others to thrive.
Tailored coaching for personal growth
No two leaders are the same—so their path to growth shouldn’t be either. I design coaching that’s highly personalised, grounded in real challenges and aspirations. Whether it’s navigating change, stepping into stretch, or building stronger teams, the work is always about unlocking your next level.
Game plan to Growth plan
High performance in sport starts with a game plan—business is no different. I help leaders build practical, personalised strategies for growth, rooted in clarity, adaptability, and action. The goal: to anticipate challenges, recalibrate under pressure, and lead with purpose—long after the first whistle blows.
Solutions
Executive Leadership Coach & Consultant
The impact of leadership development and coaching is profound and multifaceted. At its core, it enables leaders to:
Be at their best most of the time.
Lead and inspire others.
Drive performance.
Much of the work I do in this area is with Ceannas, a global leadership development company dedicated to enabling leaders to shape culture, influence organisational behaviour, and unlock high performance.
Put simply, I would have been a much better leader and high-performer if I had access to the Ceannas analytics, frameworks and methodologies sooner.
Keynote Speaker
These keynote titles are designed to resonate across industries while leveraging unique experiences from elite sport, entrepreneurship, leadership, and broadcasting. They balance inspiration with actionable insights that empower people to grow personally and professionally. The can be delivered as keynote speeches or interactive workshops.
“Beyond the Win: Building High-Performance Teams and Cultures”
"Where is the Bar?: Unlocking Potential Through a Growth Mindset"
"Bouncebackability: Building Resilient Leaders and Teams in Uncertain Times"
"Leading Under Pressure: Inspiring Teams to Achieve the Extraordinary"
Event Host | MC
As an experienced broadcaster and former sportsman I bring a unique blend of energy, storytelling and fun to every event I host. Whether a corporate gala, charity fundraiser, or at major sports hospitality, I thrive as the “glue man” who connects audiences and speakers with infectious enthusiasm and wit, keeping the atmosphere vibrant and engaging.
No two events are the same and my goal is to make every event memorable: preparing meticulously to allow me to read the room, adapt dynamically, and ensure guests leave having laughed, learned, and created memories.
Contact
Interested in working together? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly.