More than 40 businesses came together today at the Hugh James offices in Cardiff for the fifth Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid Men’s Network event, with the focus firmly on leadership and resilience.
The session, Building Resilient Leaders, gave those in the room a chance to hear honest stories about bouncing back from challenges, whether personal or professional, and how the same mindset that gets people through tough times in sport can also be applied in business.
Guest speaker Ben Whitehouse, one of only three people to referee more than 100 United Rugby Championship games and more than 85 internationals, shared his journey from frontline policing to refereeing at the highest level. He spoke candidly about the pressures that come with the job, from dealing with online criticism to making split-second decisions in front of thousands of fans.
What stood out was how much of this transfers into business life. Ben explained how he keeps himself grounded by focusing on the things he can control, leaning on trusted people for feedback, and moving on quickly from mistakes rather than dwelling on them. He also touched on the toll this kind of pressure can take on family life, making the point that resilience is just as much about maintaining balance at home as it is about high performance in work.
Adam Jones from Hugh James built on this theme by sharing how their men’s health group is helping colleagues feel more comfortable opening up about wellbeing, an idea sparked by the success of a women’s health group launched the year before. He explained how simple conversations and cultural change can make a real difference, encouraging healthier habits and creating stronger teams.
The panel, chaired by David Hulse and joined by Dai Rees of Chambers Wales, drew out some clear lessons for leaders. Good preparation, clear communication, and the right attitude are at the heart of performing well under pressure. Just as in sport, mistakes will happen, but what matters is how quickly you can learn from them and move forward. Resilience, they agreed, isn’t about never failing, it’s about how you respond.
For those in the room, the event was a reminder that resilience is built in everyday actions. For individuals, that might mean sticking to healthy routines, talking openly with trusted colleagues, or taking time to reset after setbacks. For businesses, it’s about creating environments where people feel supported, where reflection is encouraged, and where leaders set the tone by showing calmness under pressure.
Dai Rees of Chambers Wales said: “Leadership is often misunderstood. In reality, it requires a high level of emotional intelligence to handle the pressures, criticism and setbacks that many of us can relate to.
Hearing Ben’s experiences brings this to life in a way that feels both relatable and inspiring, echoing the emotions shared by business leaders and their teams.
Our Men’s and Women’s Networks are designed to create spaces for honest conversations and shared learning, and it is brilliant to see them continuing to grow.”
The Chambers Wales Men’s Network is one of two quarterly leadership networks run by Chambers Wales, alongside the Women’s Network, both designed to spark open conversation and strengthen leadership across the business community.
