Rugby stars form new team

International rugby superstars Jack Nowell and Henry Slade have joined forces with marketing and events experts to launch their very own events agency; 1314 Events. The new agency has been formed following the success of the duo’s testimonial year in 2023. 

Testimonials are typically granted to players upon reaching ten years of service with a club, and having come through the ranks together, the pair decided to embark on a joint celebration. 

With the support of the 1314 team, three events took place - La Grande Année, a fine dining event with food prepared by some of the UK’s most celebrated chefs, an evening with the ‘Rugby Pod’ hosts, Andy Goode and Jim Hamilton, and Red Bull Elevate, an exciting rugby tournament with professionals and celebrities from outside the rugby world playing. 

In addition to supporting local communities via a donation to the Exeter Chiefs Foundation, Jack and Henry were keen to deliver events that left a legacy to grassroots rugby, and engaged with rugby fans through fun and interactive events, creating memories to last a lifetime.

This legacy will continue with 1314 Events, an agency that focuses on celebrating sport, championing great food and delivering adventure experiences. Although a new commercial entity of both Jack and Henry, 1314’s primary goal is to bring people together through the medium of entertainment, whilst raising money for local charities.

Jack Nowell, now plying his trade at La Rochelle, comments on his latest venture: “We had a cracking testimonial year in 2023 - and quite frankly I got a huge buzz from it. We hosted and delivered exclusive dining events, auctions, a live podcast and Red Bull Elevate. We raised a ton of cash for some brilliant charities and we had a whole lot of fun doing it.

“1314 Events is ready to make some noise, and our next event is no exception. The brilliant Tom Kerridge is heading down to see us at Winslade Manor, just outside Exeter on 9th May for a fine dining experience with a twist.”

Having recently returned to Exeter following England’s Six Nations campaign, Henry Slade shares his excitement for the new agency: “As Jack said, our joint testimonial was a brilliant year - we learnt a lot and we could see there was a real thirst for these types of events, so like all good rugby players, we pinned our ears back and went all in to launch 1314 Events this year. Rest assured though, we have no plans to hang up our boots just yet!”

1314’s first event of 2024 will take place on 9th May at the stunning Forge by Winslade Manor. Tom Kerridge together with resident chef Matt Mason will be cooking up a storm in the kitchen. Limited tickets start at £220.00 with on the night donations from the event going to support Exeter Chiefs’ very own Aidon Davis, who was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at the end of 2023.

The team behind 1314 Events boasts a wealth of expertise in event management, marketing and professional sport and include:

Kai Horstmann – Managing Director

Joe Hammond – Head of Commercial

Rosie Bates-Ching – Head of Operations

Flo Eggins – Head of Marketing

David Abrahams – Head of Design & Activation