Paul McVeigh: from the pitch to the podium

Supporting Local Business: Sally Farrow, Larking Gowen

In the dynamic world of business, the pursuit of excellence is a continuous journey. Larking Gowen has been focused on facilitating this journey by hosting Business Breakfast events that bridge the gap between personal growth and business success.

Insights on elite performance

Earlier in the year we welcomed Paul McVeigh, a former Norwich City FC star, to Royal Norwich for their first event of 2025. With a 16-year career in professional football and a master’s degree in psychology, McVeigh provided a unique perspective on achieving peak performance and explained how to elevate business performance through psychology and communication.

He emphasised the importance of the psychological aspect in the four-corner model of performance, which includes technical, physical, psychological and social elements. McVeigh highlighted that dedicating time to enhancing one’s psychological approach is crucial for success, not only in sports but also in the business realm. ​

McVeigh’s presentation resonated with the attending business leaders, underscoring the parallels between sports and business in terms of goal setting and personal development. He pointed out that while professional goals are often outlined by organisations, personal objectives require individual clarity and focus. This insight encouraged attendees to reflect on their personal ambitions and the strategies needed to achieve them.​

The value of our business breakfasts

Larking Gowen’s Business Breakfast events offer more than just insightful presentations; they provide a platform for networking with like-minded professionals and are designed to inspire and equip business leaders with the tools necessary for personal and professional development.​

These events provide a holistic approach to business development. Other speakers for 2025 include Maria Veronese – a senior broadcast journalist, a familiar face on BBC’s Look East and founder of Mediapro Media Training, and Hilary Horton, an occupational therapist.

Maria’s presentation titled ‘The Power of Positive Communication’ is particularly timely, as effective communication has become increasingly vital in today’s fast-paced business environment.

Hilary will speak on what employers can do to keep their teams happy and healthy at work, and what the employee needs to do to keep their resilience up!