Sir Gareth Southgate to deliver the 2025 Richard Dimbleby Lecture

BBC News

28-02-2025

BBC Factual has today announced that former England football manager Sir Gareth Southgate will deliver the 48th Richard Dimbleby Lecture. The Richard Dimbleby Lecture with Sir Gareth Southgate will broadcast in March on BBC One and iPlayer, produced by BBC Studios.
In one of the highest profile roles in the country, Southgate forged a unique management style, combining calm empathy with mental resilience, emotional intelligence and strong accountability. His leadership at England propelled the national team to its most sustained success in fifty years, reaching the 2018 FIFA World Cup Semi Final and the UEFA Euro 2020 and 2024 Finals. In the process, Southgate revitalised and reshaped the England team's footballing identity, and inspired the nation.
In the lecture he will explore the concept of belief, examine the power of unity, and highlight the importance of resilience, especially for young people in a fast changing and challenging world.
Gareth Southgate, who was knighted in the New Year Honours for his services to football, and has recently become a visiting lecturer at Harvard Business School, says: 'After stepping down as England manager following eight very special years, I've been reflecting on what I have lived through and what I have learned. I was extremely humbled and honoured when the BBC asked me to deliver the Dimbleby Lecture, especially given the esteemed list of past speakers. I consider it a true privilege to be offered such a prestigious platform to talk about what I believe in and what I care about.'
Catherine Catton, Head of Commissioning, Factual Entertainment and Events, says: 'We are delighted that Sir Gareth Southgate has agreed to deliver this year's Dimbleby Lecture. His extensive career in football, unwavering dedication and leadership have not only brought great achievements on the field, but they continue to inspire new generations. In an era of increasing division, it is more important than ever to address how resilience and unity can help us all navigate a challenging world. It's an honour to have him share his insights and experiences with our audience.'
The transmission details of the Lecture will be announced soon.
Sir Gareth is joining an illustrious group of academics, artists, entrepreneurs, and members of the Royal Family who have delivered the annual lecture since its inception in 1972, in memory of the veteran broadcaster who died in 1965.
Previous speakers have included acclaimed actor David Harewood, Dame Sarah Gilbert, Sir Tim Berners-Lee, Baroness Martha Lane Fox, Christine Lagarde, Bill Gates, Sir Terry Pratchett, and HRH The Prince of Wales.
The lecture will be recorded in front of an invited audience and will be introduced by David Dimbleby.
The Richard Dimbleby Lecture with Sir Gareth Southgate (1x50) is made by BBC Studios Events for BBC One and iPlayer. It was commissioned by Catherine Catton, Head of Commissioning, Factual Entertainment and Events. Mark Harrison is the Commissioning Editor. It will be executive produced by Catherine Stirk for BBC Studios Events.
Notes to Editors
Gareth Southgate holds the record as the man who has represented England in more games than anyone else with 102 matches as men's senior team manager and 57 as a player - a total of 159 caps.
The only manager bar 1966 World Cup winner Sir Alf Ramsey to lead the England men's team into a major tournament final, finishing runners up in Euro 2020 and 2024, he managed England at four major tournaments, also reaching the World Cup semi-finals in 2018 and quarter-finals in 2022. In doing so he holds the record for winning more major tournament games than any other England Manager in history.
He is a former winning Club Captain with a distinguished playing career spanning over 500 games for Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough, where he was appointment Manager in 2006, the youngest in the history of the Premier League at the time.
Gareth is a sought-after advisor, speaker and mentor within sport and business on areas including high performance, leadership, culture and resilience.
Whilst having supported numerous charity projects he is proud to be focused on his work as a Goodwill Ambassador for The King's Trust, Ambassador for Martin House Children's Hospice and Patron of Help for Heroes.
His role with England and cultural importance to the country inspired the award- winning West End play 'Dear England', the title of which was taken from an open letter he wrote to England fans during the Covid-19 pandemic. By critical acclaim it is returning to the West End in 2025, and has been adapted by the BBC into a screen play.
Gareth has won BBC Sports Personality Coach of the Year twice and has been awarded an OBE for his services to football, as well as receiving the ultimate accolade in the 2024 New Years Hour List where he was knighted for his services to football.
FS