Player Sponsor Spotlight: De Luca Corporate Coaching

We're delighted to welcome Mike De Luca and De Luca Corporate Coaching as the official sponsor of Edinburgh Rugby Academy player, Henry Widdowson, for the 25/26 Season.

With a background in publishing and an MBA from Napier Business School, Edinburgh, Mike has vast experience in leadership positions and has been on the board of three different publishing companies working in the fields of magazines and books. As an editorial director he bought and sold international publishing rights throughout the world. Mike has held board positions in 3 other organisations.

De Luca Corporate Coaching helps organisations and their people develop the vision, creativity, commitment and skill necessary to bring about sustainable change, performance improvements and enhanced bottom line results.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself / your business and the journey that brought you here?

Mike de Luca and De Luca Corporate Coaching has been in corporate coaching for 33 years and has worked with senior leaders, their teams and organisations all over the world. Mike has also been involved in youth rugby and the principle of getting joy from others’ success is the same in sport as in business. His involvement with Edinburgh Rugby has been as a supporter since his son started playing for the club and continues today.

What makes you or your organisation unique, and what values are most important to you?

De Luca Corporate Coaching adopts a down to earth, no nonsense approach, providing solutions tailored to the real needs of clients. Our coaching is pragmatic and free from jargon.

The values that mean most to our organisation are: Clarity of Purpose, Courage, Integrity, Growth and Impact. Theses values are important to us as we want to help people and organisations see clearly and focus on what truly matters and aligning action with purpose. We enjoy challenging, stretching and supporting leaders to make bold, value-driven decisions and have the conversations that matter. We build trusted, honest relationships with clients ensuring that we are working alongside them, not above them, with respect and authenticity.

What inspired you to support this player as a sponsor?

My professional life is dedicated to fostering development and growth, and this sponsorship allows me to apply that principle to the sporting world. I was immediately drawn to the chance to support a talented young individual like Henry. The existing link, through his having been coached by Nick, my son, made the decision easy, as it provides a trusted layer of connection and history. I’m excited to watch his journey unfold.

In what ways does the player reflect qualities or values that resonate with you or your organisation?

It comes down to two key characteristics: Ambition and potential. We are drawn to individuals who are clearly striving to be the best, and Henry demonstrates that drive every time he steps onto the field. He represents the untapped potential that, with the right support and coaching, can translate into exceptional performance which is a story we help write for leaders all over the world.

How do you hope this sponsorship will benefit your brand / business and what are your hopes for the future of this sponsorship and your relationship with the player and Edinburgh Rugby?

The primary benefit is being strategically linked with a talented young player who has the potential to go all the way, similar to the journey that mirrors our business philosophy of enabling ambitious growth. Our corporate coaching helps senior leaders aim high and realize that ‘anything is possible,’ refusing to ‘be realistic’ in a limiting sense. Sponsoring Henry allows our brand to visibly align with that same bold ambition and high-altitude thinking. Furthermore, it reinforces my deep commitment to Edinburgh Rugby and ensures I stay connected to the club’s development trajectory, supporting the kind of high-aiming talent I admire.