FORMER rugby coach Sir Clive Woodward – who managed England to their 2003 World Cup triumph – taken a job on the board of a Southampton IT firm.

Sir Clive, who also led Team GB to Olympic success as director of sport, had an 18-year business career before his stint as England’s coach.

He has joined Aura Technology, a two-year-old company based at Ocean Way, which expects to create 30 jobs in the next two years. It provides IT consultancy and managed services in the south and London.

Sir Clive has experience in the technology centre and is founder of Hive Learning, an online community where business leaders share technical and commercial knowledge. He works as a consultant, supporting high-performing teams and organisations to improve individual and collective performance.

Aura’ Technology’s managing director, Tim Walker, said Sir Clive would “play an active role in shaping our business as we grow”.

“Aside from a shared love of rugby, Sir Clive and I share a passion for leadership, teamwork, and performance excellence. He has a strong background in technology and an unparalleled understanding of how a winning mindset leads teams to succeed,” he said.

“He has identified these winning qualities in Aura’s team and I am thrilled that he has chosen to join us to help make the most of our business’s enormous potential as we take it to the next level.”

Sir Clive said: “After my initial meetings with Tim, I quickly realised that Aura Technology stands out in a very competitive market because of its focus on a highly strategic approach to IT. What he and his team have achieved in just over 18 months of operation is remarkable.

“Companies that win in IT tend to win. It’s exciting to see how Aura devises and implements IT services that are aligned to the goals and business plans of each organisation they work with, particularly growing companies in the mid-market.

“Tim, the board at Aura and I see this as a long-term relationship and I am very much looking forward to playing my part in the future success of this outstanding business.”

Aura Technology launched in 2017 with the aim of “redefining the relationship between business and IT”. It works at senior level with mid-market businesses of 50-500 IT users to ensure their IT provision is aligned to their business plans and goals.

The company’s clients include companies in the legal, other professional services, marine and commercial property sectors. They include Vail Williams, London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art , Inspiration Marine Group and VFS.

Under Sir Clive’s leadership, England beat reigning champions Australia to win the Rugby World Cup in 2003, thanks to a drop goal by Johnny Wilkinson in the final seconds of extra time.

The team won 41 of 46 matches with him at the helm.

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