Sport speakers

Adam Wright is a very versatile psychological skills mentor with a wealth of knowledge in several fundamental areas for Chimp Management and as such, has experience of working across a number of our directorates, notably, education, sport, personal development and business.

Flashback to his early presenting days and some of you may remember Ade Adepitan from the CBBC series X-Change and the BBC ‘dancing wheelchairs’ idents. An instantly recognisable face, Ade has travelled the world for his work including the BBC’s internationally known Travel Show exploring the history and cultures behind the globe’s most enticing countries.

Aidan has a wealth of experience working in the business directorate of Chimp Management. He has extensive experience of designing, facilitating and leading workshops for large public sector organisations and also blue chip and SME corporate clients. Aidan has significant experience delivering 1:1 mentoring to corporate clients, focusing on personal and business specific development in areas such as leadership, management and effective communication.

Alain is famous in hundreds of countries for managing to climb 141 of the world's tallest buildings with his bare hands. Alain is a legendary free-climber, referred to as the hymn Spiderman. He has thousands of YouTube hits that have amassed millions of hits each. Alain has achieved global success in free-climbing despite a career ending injury at 19, leaving him 66% disabled. Alain also, shockingly, suffers from vertigo, yet he preserves on with his passion.

lan Shearer is one of the most feared and respected strikers of the modern era and a wonderful ambassador for the game. His debut was an indication of the wealth of talent Alan has when he scored a hat trick for Southampton against Arsenal on 9th April 1988 (4-2 victory) and went on to became the only player in English football history to score 30 or more goals in three consecutive seasons. On 6th August 1996, after Alan’s successful Euro 96, where he finished the tournament’s top goal scorer, Alan joined his beloved Newcastle for a world record fee of £15.6 million, fulfilling his childhood dream to play for his local side.

Alastair’s expeditions are a call to arms that nothing is achieved without being bold enough to begin it and that the first step need only be a tiny one to set us on the way to realising that we are all capable of more than we imagine.

Currently CEO of Digital Brand Services and works with over a dozen clients in the public and private sectors. Senior Consultant Digital Strategy for TEAM AG, UEFA’s exclusive commercial partner for the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Super Cup, the world’s most popular annual sporting event. Alex is also a member of the Digital Advisory Board the the UK Government Digital Service and on the Commission of English Heritage.

All it took was a cup of coffee to change Alex’s life forever and set in motion the indomitable will and desire that lead him to realise an astonishing adventure that Sir Ranulph Fiennes OBE has described as “seriously hard”. An experienced speaker, whether for a keynote address, conference, school or community events, Alex’s presentations have brought humor, insight and adventure to audiences around the world.

Alex is the author of 'Qaddafi's Point Guard', detailing his unusual, unique, and unsettling story of being a professional basketball player stuck in the Libya civil war.

Amanda Stretton is the UK’s leading female motorsport and motor industry presenter. She is renowned for her knowledge of contemporary and historical racing series and her understanding of the international car industry.

Amir Khan is one of the most talented sportsmen of his generation. Catapulted into the limelight from the 2004 Silver medal Olympic podium, Amir has become Britain's highest-profile boxer racking up an impressive professional fight record; having become the World Light Welterweight Champion in July 2009 after his life changing fight against Andreas Kotelnik.

Andrew Kirkpatrick’s speciality is big wall climbing and winter expeditions, which involves pitting himself against a vertical climbs of over 1000 meters often in temperatures as low as minus 30 degrees. Andy has scaled Yosemite's El Capitan - one of the hardest walls in America - over twenty four times, including three solo ascents and a one day ascent (18h), as well as climbing it with a paraplegic climber, his thirteen year old daughter and a blind friend. One of these ascents was a 12 day solo of the Reticent Wall, viewed at the time as perhaps the hardest climb of its type in the world, and the subject of his award winning book Psychovertical.

Anna was introduced to rowing when she studied at the University of Cambridge. Moving up to the full international squad, Anna's rise to winning ways had begun. With the world famous partnership with Katherine Grainger, the two were unbeaten in their first season rowing together and they went on to claim two World Championship golds before entering and championing the London 2012 games. Setting a new Olympic record on the way the pair convincingly won their Olympic final to take gold and provide one of the most memorable moments of the games.

Sir Anthony 'AP' McCoy OBE, MBE is a Northern Irish Champion horse racing jockey legend. AP McCoy OBE retired from racing in April 2015 having dominated his sport for over 2 decades, making him not only the world's greatest ever jump jockey, but also one of the UK's most talented sportsmen. In April 2015, AP was crowned Champion Jockey for the 20th consecutive year, and ended his truly phenomenal career on 4348 wins (which includes the 2010 Grand National, the prestigious Cheltenham Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle, Queen Mother Champion Chase & King George VI Chase). This incredible man and BBC Sports Personality of the Year spent his career setting records we will not see broken in our lifetimes. We have had champions, we have had legends, but we will never have another AP McCoy. AP's achievements were acknowledged by the Queen with a Knighthood in the 2016 New Years Honours.

Austin Healey is a former rugby player and has represented the England national rugby union team.

For almost 20 years, Barry McGuigan has been commentating and writing on boxing and has developed into one of the leading figures of the sport.

Ben spent nine years as a member of the Great Britain rowing team, competing at six World Championships and three Olympics - culminating in gold in the coxed eights in Sydney. Before they did anything during training, Ben and his team asked themselves the question: “Will it make the boat go faster?” He encourages audiences to apply the same question to their own goals.

Ben Kay is a retired English international rugby union player who played Second row forward for Leicester Tigers and England.

Bob 'The Cat' Bevan MBE – recently inducted as a celebrity ambassador for Variety the global children’s charity, is one of the most versatile and popular entertainers on the after dinner and conference circuits. Starting with tales about his hopelessness as a goalkeeper he has developed into an all-round comedian, presenter, interviewer and auctioneer suitable for any audience.

Boris Becker is a former world No. 1 professional tennis player from Germany. He is a six-time major singles champion, including the distinction of being the youngest ever Wimbledon men's champion when he was 17.

Bradley Wiggins established himself as one of the world’s finest track endurance riders by collecting six Olympic medals across three Games, including individual pursuit gold at Athens 2004 and individual pursuit gold and team pursuit gold at Beijing 2008.

Brendan Hall's keynote presentation, 'Life and leadership on the world's most demanding yacht race' is a gripping narrative of an ocean yacht race on the edge, and a young skipper's determined journey to victory. At the age of 27, Brendan was selected to lead one of the ten teams competing in the 2009-10 Clipper Round the World race. He had no input on the selection of his 44 crew, but was tasked with turning them into a cohesive, competitive unit, able to take on the ultimate sailing challenge, a gruelling ten-month race around the globe. He knew that the key to success would be creating and sustaining a culture of high performance, autonomy, motivation and support- A race winning formula.

Brian O'Driscoll was the captain of the Ireland Rugby team from 2004 -2012 and captained Leinster Rugby from 2005 until the end of 2008 season. He captained the British and Irish Lions for their 2005 tour of New Zealand. Registered at University College Dublin RFC, he played at outside centre for the Irish provincial team Leinster.

Brian is famed for winning the 4x400m relay with only one shoe. He is a two time European gold medalist, and goes down in the hearts of British fans as the epitome of perseverance and determination. Brian is now a coach and mentor.

Edward Upcott (five time British acrobatic champion) and Doug Fordyce first claimed major success with their 2010 winning gymnastic duo at the Polish world championships. Through their participation with the act Spellbound, Edward and Doug excelled their success by winning the 2010 ITV TV talent show, Britain's Got Talent. Since their departure from Spellbound, Edward and Doug have continued their victorious partnership with their new act, Brothers of Eden.

Following a successful on pitch rugby career Catherine has now made the bold move to transfer from the sports pitch to the business pitch as she has made her move to set up and run her own company Inspiring Women. Inspiring Women is a platform to encourage female speakers, mentors and ambassadors from the sports and adventure world to provide insight and share valuable lessons learnt with the business world. Alongside this Catherine has made sure that she is continually challenging herself and has taken part in a filmed mountaineering challenge in the Swiss Alps, has completed 2 marathons and entered a third and is taking on the task of coaching women’s rugby premiership side Aylesford ladies for the 2015/16 season. Catherine is also patron of the charity Tag Rugby Trust where she has volunteered her time in Uganda, Ghana, Zambia, Mexico and India.

Chemmy is Britain’s number one female alpine skier. She started skiing as a toddler aged 18 months and began competing seriously at the age of 8. From this committed early start to her career, Chemmy has progressed in every discipline and has worked her way up to be ranked 8th in the world. She was the first British woman to qualify for the World Cup Finals, the first British skier to win a run in a World Cup race and the first British skier to win the British Land National Ski Championships six times in a row. Chemmy has competed in three consecutive Olympic Games, in Salt Lake City, Turin and then Vancouver, where at both Turin and Vancouver she finished an impressive 11th place. Despite a horrific accident in Lake Louise in 2010, Chemmy has embarked on a remarkable road to recovery to head for her fourth Olympics: Sochi 2014. As well as being ranked in the top 30 in the world for Super G, Giant Slalom and Combined, she is an excellent ambassador for British sport, encouraging younger athletes to pursue their dreams.

Chris Bertish takes on extreme stand-up paddle-boarding challenges, crossing channels and oceans around the world. The reason why, is a beautiful story.

Chris Boardman won the 4km individual pursuit at the Barcelona Olympics and broke the world hour record three times. His was the nation's first gold in cycling for over 70 years. The iconic image of the Lotus machine and pointy helmet linked Chris forever with cutting edge technology. This was reinforced with Chris leading the research & development team for GB Cycling in the run up to the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where they became the most successful British sporting team of all time. He is now Greater Manchester’s Cycling and Walking Commissioner and intends to bring continental levels of bike use to the UK.

Chris Gooder received his Honours degree in Psychology from the University of Manchester. He then spent a year of coaching for Arsenal Football Club in Singapore. Following this he went on to obtain a MSc in Sport and Exercise Psychology from Brunel University.

From Watchdog to the World Cup, from Strictly to the Olympics, Chris Hollins is recognised as one of television's most popular sports and factual entertainment presenters.

A former 'hard man' defender and midfielder, Chris played for eleven different clubs during his long and successful playing career. The highlight was winning the First Division Championship with Leeds. On Soccer AM Chris provides entertaining links from whichever ground he happens to be at that day. He also co-presents the morning review show, Goals on Sunday.

Christian Horner OBE is the Team Principal of the Infiniti Red Bull Racing Formula One team, a position he has held since 2005. His motorsport career started as a race car driver, before he switched roles to become Team Principal of FIA F3000 and later GP2 Series team Arden International Motorsport in 1999.

Clare Balding began her career as an amateur flat jockey, becoming Champion Lady Rider. The transition from competing to presenting began with her television debut at Royal Ascot. Clare is now an established name in BBC sport, winning several awards. She has also written regular columns for the Observer and Sunday Telegraph, as well as Racing Post.

Clare Connor made her England One Day International debut in 1995 and played her first Test match that winter. She took a hat-trick against India in 1999 and captained England from 2000 until her retirement from international cricket in 2006.

Colin Jackson CBE is ranked as being one of most successful British athletes of all time. His athletic prowess gained him World, Commonwealth, and European champion. His world record 110m time was unbroken for an astonishing 13 years, but still remains the World Championship record time. Colin still holds the 60m hurdle record time, which has now been unbeaten for nearly 20 years. Since retiring from athletics, Colin was a natural choice to become one of the key members of the BBC's sports production team and he continues to cover all of their Athletics output as a BBC pundit and presenter.

Craig Doyle is an Irish television and radio presenter. To British viewers he is recognisable as working for the BBC and ITV.

She is a founder of the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, set up in 2003, a charity which takes young people aged between 8-24 sailing to help them regain their confidence on their way to recovery from cancer, leukaemia and other serious illnesses. Having become acutely aware of the finite nature of the resources our linear economy relies upon, she stepped away from professional sailing in 2009 to launch the Ellen MacArthur Foundation following 4 years traveling the world and researching the challenges facing our current global economy.nd the circular economy to life.

The Athens Olympic Games was the pinnacle of a long but frustrating international athletics career for Kelly Holmes. Her Double Olympic Gold triumph changed her life forever and fulfilled her second childhood dream of becoming an Olympic Champion. She became the first British female athlete to win both the 800m and 1500m. Since retiring from international athletics, Kelly has started a new chapter in her life in the business world; establishing her own company Double Gold and her charity the Dame Kelly Holmes Legacy Trust. She has also been active in raising the profile of school sport up the political agenda. Kelly became National School Sport Champion in 2006 for three years and pioneered the creation of National School Sport Week. She also led the creation of Girls Active set up with the Youth Sports Trust to capture the interest of disengaged female teenagers. She now has a number of ambassadorial positions for TeamGB, London 2012 sponsor BT, the Jaguar Academy of Sport alongside the honour of being President of Commonwealth Games England.

There are not many athletes that can boast a sporting CV like Danielle Waterman.

After losing his right arm in a horrific accident in 1994 at just aged 21, Danny was determined to overcome this huge hurdle in his life, focusing on the future and regaining his positive attitude.

Beckham is an athlete of immense talent and success. Having played in leagues across the world, for teams including Manchester United, Real Madrid, A.C. Milan, L.A. Galaxy, and P.S.G., Beckham is one of the biggest names in football. He went on to be the first English player to play in 100 Champions League matches and to win 4 league titles in four different countries.

David Coulthard MBE was one of the best of his generation. Now a pundit for Forumla One coverage, David is still very much involved in the sport. An excellent keynote speaker on the topics of motivation, teamwork and leadership, David can apply his peak performance skills from the racing world to a business audience.

David Flatman was a prop for Bath and the England national rugby union team and the former head of communications at Bath rugby.

David Gower enjoyed one of the most prolific first-class cricket careers in English history, in both domestic and international competitions.

David Millar is former British National Road Champion and Time Trial Champion, the only British Rider to have worn all the Leaders Jerseys from the Tour de France and one of only six British riders to have worn the Yellow Jersey. He was also the first of only two British riders ever to have worn the Leader’s Jersey in all three Grand Tours. Millar was banned for two years in 2004 after admitting taking banned performance enhancing drugs. During his ban and on his return to cycling in 2006 he worked with WADA and UKAD on various anti-doping initiatives and has become a voice for anti-doping within the sport. His final chapter in cycling saw him win Silver in the World Championships, stages of all three Grand Tours and write a best selling Autobiography. David retired from cycling at the end of 2014 season but remains actively involved in the sport.

David Sammel has over 30 years’ experience in coaching international players, 17 of whom have represented their countries in the Olympics, Davis Cup and FedCup.

Dennis Taylor's remarkable 18-17 victory over Steve Davis on the final black of the 1985 Embassy World Snooker Championship has justifiably become regarded as one of the great moments in British sport. A record viewing audience of 18.5m were tuned to BBC Two, the largest after midnight figure ever recorded and BBC Two's best ever ratings. It was also, at the time, the largest British audience for a sporting event. Taylor's exuberant celebrations - complete with finger wagging, foot stamping and cue waving - provided the perfect release to the tension that had built as the match progressed towards its thrilling climax.

Derek is a retired British athlete who epitomises the Olympic spirit. During his career, he held the British record for the 400 metres sprint, and won gold medals in the 4x400 metres relay at the World Championships, European Championships and Commonwealth Games. Since retiring from athletics, Derek has played basketball for England and professionally for the Birmingham Bullets and has played competitive rugby union for Coventry RFC and Stow RFC. He is also a respected coach and advisor for international athletes.

Dion Dublin is an English former footballer and television presenter. Born in Leicester and of Nigerian descent, he was capped four times for England.

Ed Buckingham is a truly inspirational and a motivational man. Working for the Royal Mail for 28 years, an adventurer and author from his native origin of Cornwall. Coming from a background of hill and coastal walkers Ed has through sheer hard work and determination turned himself into a world class athlete. At the culmination of his quest, he emerges as a capable climber, fit and strong, competing in triathlons running full and ultra marathons, climbing mountains and delivering the post.

Ed first appeared on Sky Sports in 1999 as the resident bookie stats expert alongside Matthew Lorenzo and Kirsty Gallagher every Friday night on the Sports Centre.

Eddie Edwards, nicknamed "Eddie the Eagle" by the media, is a British ski jumper and skier who in 1988 became the first competitor since 1929 to represent Great Britain in Olympic ski jumping.

Ellie is four times Paralympic Champion and current multiple world record holder. The youngest winner of the BBC Young Sports Personality of the year in 2008 and then the youngest recipient of the MBE at the age of 14 years. Now an OBE she has a world class reputation and huge personality.

Floyd Woodrow, the MD of Chrysalis worldwide coaches elite international athletes and sporting teams, the worlds leading banks, financial services companies, governments, education institutions, police forces, emergency services and international corporations on all aspects of elite performance and leadership. Floyd's extraordinary experiences and skills give him a unique and diverse speaking ability.

Now CEO of Belstaff, Fran Millar was CEO of Team Ineos and former TEAM Sky's Head of Winning Behaviours and Director of Business Operations and later CEO, Fran headed up the business and people functions within the world’s most successful cycling team. Fran is a huge hit with audiences both in the UK and internationally. Her passion for her subject coupled with her natural delivery style is always well received. She is one of the most engaging speakers that we have ever worked with and which an entire audience can relate to.

Captain of the Victorious 1995 country-unifying Rugby World Cup Team - The Springboks, Francois Pienaar is a remarkable athlete, trained lawyer and an ambassador for multi-racial sports and civil rights. Captain of the Victorious 1995 country-unifying Rugby World Cup Team - The Springboks, Francois Pienaar is a remarkable athlete, trained lawyer and an ambassador for multi-racial sports and civil rights. He reached the highest peak in rugby union when he captained his country, South Africa, to World Cup victory in 1995. He was portrayed by Matt Damon in Clint Eastwood's blockbuster Invictus. In 2005, Francois was seconded by First National Bank as CEO for the 2011 Rugby World cup bid. Having been named Newsmaker of the Year, he is his country's most celebrated icon after Nelson Mandela. He was portrayed by Matt Damon in Clint Eastwood's blockbuster Invictus. In 2005, Francois was seconded by First National Bank as CEO for the 2011 Rugby World cup bid. Having been named Newsmaker of the Year, he is his country's most celebrated icon after Nelson Mandela.

Frank Bruno is an English former professional boxer who was known for his good punch power and whose career highlight was winning the WBC heavyweight championship in 1995 against Oliver McCall at Wembley Stadium.

Gabby was the first female presenter of a live football match and the first woman to host Match of the Day. She currently works for the BBC hosting Inside Sport and has her own show on BBC radio 5 live on Sunday mornings. A former Welsh international gymnast, Gabby has twice been named Sports Presenter of the Year by the TV and Radio Industries Club.

Gareth is an engaging speaker on his experiences as both an international sports star and his personal story of coming out, as a member of the LGBT community and on living with HIV.

Gary Lineker OBE is one of the most popular TV sports presenters and former captains of the England football team. Gary has presented various BBC sports related programmes such as Match of the Day and is a regular on the comedy show, They Think it's all Over. Gary is also passionate about golf and in 2005, Gary was unveiled as the BBC's main presenter for major golfing events.

Geoffrey Holt is an English sailor from Portsmouth, Hampshire. Paralysed in an accident at the age of eighteen, in 2007 he became the first quadriplegic yachtsman to sail solo around Great Britain.

Sir Geoff Hurst is a former England international footballer. A striker, he remains the only man to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final as England recorded a 4–2 victory over West Germany at the old Wembley in 1966.

Geoff is a reporter on Sky Sports. He joined the channel in 1992, the first season of The Premiership. He made his reporting debut in 1999 alongside Clare Tomlinson. He can now be seen on the touch-line in key matches notably on Sky Sports UEFA Champions League and Ford Super Sunday live games.

Geoff Thompson has written several books on self-defence, martial arts, and fear control, as well as Watch My Back, an autobiography about his early years and how he came to be a nightclub doorman working in his hometown of Coventry.

George Gregan is a retired Australian Rugby Union player who held the record number of international caps for any rugby union player.

Georgie “Thompson” Ainslie is best known for her work on Sky Sports as a presenter. She is also married to sailor Ben Ainslie.

Gethin Jones is best known for his children’s television career presenting popular shows such as Popty and Blue Peter.

Giles is a motivational speaker who energises organisations large and small with his speech Changing to Win across the world. Each organisation faces a unique set of challenges and Giles works to ensure he reflects these to illustrate a way forward.

Glenn Catley was the WBC World Super-middleweight Champion. By his own admission, never the best fighter technically, Glenn got to the very top of his sport with determination and confidence. As a qualified psychotherapist he now understands the value of belief in your own abilities and how to handle the pressure of expectation.

Having sailed the Atlantic alone twice, Hannah is one of Britain’s most inspirational women. Sailing solo for weeks at a time and coming 2nd in a transatlantic race, Hannah has faced icebergs, intense sleep deprivation, technical failures and the worst that the North Atlantic Ocean can muster. Hannah has led others through hostile conditions, inspiring fellow crew members in some of the world’s toughest oceans.

An integral part of the BBC’s coverage of all major events, Hazel presented at Rio in 2016, marking her eighth consecutive Summer Olympic Games. She has worked on every Winter Olympics and Commonwealth Games since 1994 and, in addition to presenting and reporting, Hazel is an experienced commentator on many sports and events.

Heather Rabbatts is a Jamaican lawyer, businesswoman, and broadcaster, who rose to prominence as Chief Executive of the London Borough of Lambeth, the youngest council chief in the UK.

Helen Glover MBE was one of the most prominent sporting stars to emerge from the 2012 Olympic Games, typifying the ideal that hard work breeds success. Alongside her rowing partner, Heather Stanning, Helen wrote herself into the British history books by not only winning Team GB’s first Gold of the Games but claiming British Rowing’s first ever female Gold medal.

Helen Skelton is best known for co-presenting the BBC children's programme Blue Peter from 2008 until 2013 and as a regular relief presenter on Countryfile since 2008.

With his trademark bow-tie, his unmistakably fruity tones and his delightfully idiosyncratic observations, both on and off the cricket field, Blowers has become a national institution.

Hope Powell is an English former international footballer who was the coach of the England women's national football team and the Great Britain women's Olympic football team until August 2013.

Ian McGeechan is a Scottish former Rugby Union player and coach. His nickname is "Geech".

Ian Robertson is a Scottish broadcaster, writer and former international rugby player. He is best known as a rugby union commentator for BBC Radio.

Ian Wright MBE has an electric personality that used to light up the matches in which he played and now brings radiance to his appearances as a TV and radio performer.

Fluent in English, Brazilian Portuguese, Italian, Spanish and French, Immy Barclay brings a refreshingly fearless approach to television presenting coupled with a warm and personable energy.

In January 1999, Jamie and a climbing partner were trapped for five nights on the storm bound icy summit of a French mountain. Despite surviving, both hands and feet were amputated. Since this he has learned to walk again, take up skiing, run marathons and iron man triathlons and remarkably returned to climb once more in the mountains that he loves so much.

Jamie Baulch enjoyed a career spanning 15 years at the top of world class athletics. Since retiring in 2005, he has starred in several reality TV shows and directed several business ventures including the Jamie Baulch Academy and a great contestant on Dancing on Ice!

Jamie Carragher played as a defender for Premier League club Liverpool for 17 years and is now currently a pundit for Sky Sports.

Jeff Stelling is the near legendary presenter of Sky Sports News' football coverage. With an incredible memory and attention to detail, Jeff leads his loyal audience through six continuous hours of discussion and match reports on Gillette Soccer Saturday.

One of the stars of the London 2012 Olympics, Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill was not just the 'poster girl' for the games, she also demonstrated the determination, competitiveness and sporting behaviour with which the games is synonymous. When Jess stormed home in first place in the 800m, her final event, it secured the gold medal for her, and in doing so captured one of the most memorable golds of the Olympics and providing one of the highlights of the London games.

Jo and her husband Rob took on the monstrous task of ascending the Seven Summits, breaking records by being the fastest couple to ever ascend it, as well as Jo entering the Guinness Book of World Records for holding the fastest female ascent time, also being the second British woman to ever scale Everest's North Ridge.

Joanna Rowsell Shand MBE is a GB Cyclist, Olympian and 5x World Champion.

John Barnes MBE is of Jamaican and Trinidadian origin, who currently works as a commentator and pundit for ESPN and SuperSport.

John Inverdale is an English broadcaster. During his radio career, he has presented coverage of many major sporting events including the Olympic Games, Wimbledon, the Grand National and the FIFA World Cup.

After an apprenticeship on the Barnet Press weekly newspaper, John moved to the Morning Telegraph in Sheffield where he first covered league football. A short freelance spell with BBC Radio Sheffield was followed by a move to network radio in 1968, where on Radio 2 (then the sports channel) he presented sports programmes as well as commentating on football, tennis and boxing.

A master golf coach and mentor he'll have your mind and swing in synch in no time.

Jonathan’s distinguished playing career began in 1978 when he made his debut for Leicestershire following impressive performances in club cricket. He was to stay with the county throughout his playing career before retiring aged 30. Jonathan played in 218 matches and took 666 wickets in his first-class career. During the 1987 season he took 101 wickets and his career-best bowling figures were 9-70. He took six ten-wicket hauls and was selected as one of the five Wisden Cricketers of the Year in 1988.

The finest triple jumper of all time, Jonathan Edwards is the former Olympic, Commonwealth, European and World Champion - and the current world record holder. He was an ambassador for the London Olympics bid before becoming a key member of the Organising Committee.

John is a British football commentator for the BBC. Known for his loud, exuberant commentaries, he has worked for both Radio Five Live and Match of the Day, as well as participating in other lower-profile sports programmes and Robot Wars.

Considered the man who won England their famous World Cup victory under the leadership of Sir Clive Woodward. Becoming one of the most famous rugby players alive when his drop goal in the dying seconds of the game won the tournament for England. One of the most decorated players in the game, becoming the highest international points scorer and a role model of professionalism and sportsmanship. The public success was only part of the story, however, and Jonny speaks frankly and inspiringly about the pressure of expectation and the mental health implications of leading a life defined by others.

Karen has the philosophy that to have the most impact in life we should challenge our constraints, adopt a positive mindset and support each other to be the best we can be.

Kate Goodger also currently works with corporate clients and the British Equestrian Federation. Previously she has worked with summer and winter sports for Team GB at 5 Olympics and was formerly a Senior and Lead Practitioner with the English Institute of Sport before joining Chimp Management.

Kevin is a Liverpool and footballing legend. With his crazy hair styles and fantastic football, Kevin is never without something to talk about in his after dinner speeches. An incredibly passionate and renowned communicator, Kevin Keegan is one of the most recognisable faces in British football. Kevin's illustrious playing career included time at Liverpool, Hamburg, Southampton and Newcastle as well as the national side, captaining England for six years until his international retirement after the 1982 World Cup.

Kriss began his international athletic career in 1983 as a member of the 4×400 metre relay squad and will probably always be remembered for helping Britain clinch the Gold and beat the Americans in the World Championships 4×400 metre relay in Tokyo in 1991. Kriss is currently the CEO of The Akabusi Company, a corporate communications and training company where his marvellous personality and reputation as a fantastic public speaker has made him a very popular and attractive advocate. He is also an accredited personal coach, having qualified at the Hudson Institute of Santa Barbara. He is one of only four qualified Hudson Institute coaches in the UK.

Lawrence Dallaglio is a retired English Rugby Union player and former captain of the English national team.

Lord Sebastian Coe is now known for his successful political career and his crucial role in bringing the Olympic Games to London in 2012 but he first came to the attention of the world as the fastest middle-distance runner of his generation. Using his political skills, his strategic know-how and a true passion for sport, Lord Coe won the bid to host the 2012 Olympics in London. Seven years later the Prime Minister thanked him for "lifting the hearts of the nation" after organising the most successful Games of modern times. By talking about the setbacks as well as victories, he shows his audience how he beat the competition by facing down everything in training: "You don't become a champion by turning up and hoping to get lucky."

Maggie Alphonsi MBE is an English women's rugby player who plays as a flanker for Saracens W.R.F.C. and England. She is of African-Caribbean descent. She was Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year in 2010.

Marc competed internationally as a swimmer for 17 years, winning 12 Paralympic medals from 5 Games and a further 21 from either World or European Championships. In the past he has held world records for 200m, 400m, 1500m Freestyle and as well as being part of the team that held the world record for 4 x 100m Freestyle. Marc Woods was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 17 and had his left leg amputated below the knee. Not knowing whether he had 6 months or 60 years left to live, he was determined to make the most of whatever time he had.

Mark Beaumont has become a household name through his documentaries about ultra endurance and adventure, Having smashed the circumnavigation cycling World Record twice in his career, he now holds this title having averaged 240 miles a day, becoming the first person to cycle ‘Around the World in 80 Days.’ His epic documentaries have taken views to over 100 countries, into the Arctic, the High Mountains and around the Commonwealth, also surviving capsize in the mid-Atlantic.

Mark is a BBC sports presenter and reporter most often heard on Radio 5Live and seen hosting BBC One's Football Focus and Final Score. He will also front Match of the Day 2 from next season.

Since Mark burst onto the International swimming scene, at the age of 16, representing England at the 1986 Commonwealth Games, he has gone on to represent his country more times and been decorated more than any other male swimmer. Throughout his impressive three decade career he has won 47 international medals; competed in 5 Olympics, been 8 times Commonwealth champion, 10 times European champion and 8 times World record holder.

Mark Gallagher’s career in Formula One started in 1983, spending seven years working in the media before joining Eddie Jordan’s fledgling Grand Prix team in 1990, later joining the team’s management board. He became part of the newly created Red Bull Racing management team in 2004, and was invited to lead Cosworth’s return to Formula One as an engine supplier in 2010, overseeing its supply of one-third of the teams on the starting grid.

Mark began his career at Preston North End, and also played for Brighton and Hove Albion before moving to Liverpool in 1981. He won many honours with the Liverpool and formed a defensive partnership with Alan Hansen that is still regarded as one of the best-ever in English club football. Mark was capped 39 times by the Republic of Ireland, before an Achilles injury brought his playing career to a premature end at the age of 30. Mark has been a regular BBC football pundit since 1997, often teaming up with old club-mate Hansen.

Nine times Grand Prix winner Mark Webber’s fairytale journey from Queanbeyan kid to world-class athlete is an enthralling and entertaining story full of inspiration and amusing anecdotes. Mark retired from Formula 1 in 2013, currently competing in the FIA World Endurance Championship for Porsche.

Martin Johnson CBE is an English former rugby union player who represented and captained England and Leicester.

Martina Navratilova won the Wimbledon women's singles title a record nine times and has been described by many as "the greatest singles, doubles, and mixed doubles player who's ever lived". In all, Martina has won 18 Grand Slam singles titles, 31 Grand Slam women's doubles titles (an all-time record), and 10 Grand Slam mixed doubles titles.

Martine Wright lost both legs in the 7/7 terrorist attacks on the London underground. She has since rebuilt her life, skydived, learned to fly, and become a member of the British 2012 Paralympic volleyball team.

Mary Nightingale is an English newsreader and television presenter, best known for her roles within ITV, as a newsreader for ITN, and as a presenter of the daytime cookery series Britain's Best Dish in 2011.

Mary Rhodes is a journalist and presenter who has hosted a daily sports magazine programme and now presents bulletins across the BBC’s news outlets.

Matt Dawson was a key part of the England squad that took the country to victory in the 2003 World Cup. He is England's most capped scrum-half, with 77 international caps to his name, captaining the team 9 times, and being picked to be a part of the British and Irish Lions squad twice. Matt is seen as one of the more outspoken sportsmen, and is immediately recognizable as team captain on BBC's 'A Question of Sport' with Sue Barker and Phil Tufnell. As well as this, Matt is a rugby commentator for the BBC and Radio 5 live. From sales conferences to team building exercises, Matt's motivational speaking incorporates the lessons he has learned from rugby that can be applied to most sports and the individual qualities needed to succeed in both professional and personal life.

Michael Finkel is the author of the New York Times bestseller “The Stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit,” about a highly intelligent man who lived alone in the forest of Maine for 27 years, as well as the book “True Story,” about Finkel’s bizarre and unhealthy friendship with a murderer, which was adapted into a 2015 major motion picture produced by Brad Pitt and starring James Franco and Jonah Hill.

Michael Lynagh is a former Australian Rugby Union player who played as a Fly-half.

Michael O’Neill is a Northern Irish football manager and former professional footballer. Michael currently manages the Northern Ireland international football team.

Mike Bushell is a sports presenter. He presents the sport on BBC Breakfast on Fridays and at the weekends, and sometimes on other weekdays.

'The Game Changer' Mike Forde is former Director of Football Operations at Chelsea Football Club, responsible for all areas of Chelsea FC's performance and team operations. Mike is widely recognised as a World authority in the British Premier League and European soccer and elite US professional sport for driving innovation and cutting edge methods.

Nick's passion for running is clear, but his meaningful topics are the basis of some truly inspirational messages too. He covers areas such as understanding potential; embracing failure; perseverance and determination, and how to value the time we have on our planet. His personal stories bring these issues to life with enthusiasm and character. Nick may be a runner first and foremost, but his messages reach further. He’s not on a crusade to get everyone into lycra, but simply to spread the message that everyone, regardless of age, background, and commitments can excel at anything they put their minds to.

Nick Fry is the Former CEO and co-owner of Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 and was responsible for building the teams that won the 2014 and 2009 F1 Drivers and Constructors Championships.

Nick Mullins is a British journalist and sports commentator, primarily working on BT Sport's Premiership Rugby coverage.

Nicola Adams OBE was the first woman to win an Olympic boxing title, she is the 2012 and 2016 Olympic gold medallist in the women's flyweight division.

Norma is an ultra-marathon runner, and a woman who is determined to make and break records, whilst being a single Mum. Norma started out her mission to fight blindness, but now realises that she is here to show her kids to live life with passion. In 2014 Norma is setting a Guinness World Record triathlon; swim 80 miles, biking 3700 miles, and running 865 miles from Cancun to Washington DC.

Pamela Cookey has become the face of England Netball after 11 years of playing for her country and three years as captain.

Paul has won 5 championships belts in 3 different weight categories from light-middleweight, middleweight and super-middleweight but actually fought in a incredible 5 different weight.

Paula Radcliffe is the current women's world record holder in the marathon with her time of 2 hours 15 minutes and 25 seconds.

Paula Reid is an inspirational speaker, adventurer, and best-selling author. Paula, with two months notice and no sailing experience, became a core crew member of the Global Challenge 2004-5: the ‘World’s Toughest Yacht Race’, Paula raced 35,000 miles the ‘wrong way’ around the world. Paula has completed 91 things on her list of things to do before she dies – including walking on hot coals, paddling down the Mekong, walking across the country, running the marathon and kayaking the length of the Thames. Paula combines extreme sailing stories and analogies with business expertise to create leadership and performance development that is unique, powerful and deep rooted. She influences and inspires at conferences, meetings and events as a keynote speaker and through interactive workshops. She has also been a shareholder and director of three businesses, and understands about Leadership, Strategy, Motivation & Mental Toughness from both an extreme adventure and a business-leader point of view.

Penny Mallory is a former Rally Champion, and travelled the the World with the World Rally Championship. Penny delivers the keynote 'World Class Thinking, World Class Behaviour’ which is thought provoking and amusing delve into the psychology of success, and how the way we think can determine how much we achieve. Penny is also a sought after Performance Coach working with World Class teams and businesses across all sports and industries.

England goalkeeping legend Peter Shilton OBE has gained more caps for England than any other player. Peter was also the youngest player to play League football for Leicester City at the tender age of 16 years old - taking over from the equally legendary Gordon Banks. Throughout his amazing 30 year career he played for 11 English league clubs through which he accumulated a record 1005 League appearances. Since his retirement, Peter has appeared on the hit TV show 'Strictly, Come Dancing' in 2010.

Phil Vickery MBE is as happy and inspiring in front of a corporate audience as he is back home on the farm. Capped 73 times by England and also capped with British & Irish Lions he now commentates, presents and delivers after dinner speeches as well as awards hosting he remains a dab hand in the kitchen and enjoys country life.

Often cited as the best referee of his generation by players and fans alike, Pierluigi Collina was respected for his no-nonsense approach to officiating. He is instantly recognizable as he contracted a severe form of alopecia, resulting in the permanent loss of all his hair, giving him his distinctive bald appearance and earning the nickname Kojak. Coincidentally, this happened around the same time that he began refereeing more high-profile matches in the Italian Series A League (about 1988).

Steve has an unparalleled reputation for giving people an edge – as well as the confidence to overcome defeat. His specialist interest is in the working of the human mind and how it can reach optimum performance applied to all walks of life. He works with Liverpool Football Club, England Football and Sky ProCycling, and has current and past involvements in many other Olympic and non-Olympic Sports, including British Cycling, England Rugby, World Championship Snooker and Premier league Football.

Great Britain's most successful ever swimmer, Becky Adlington, announced her retirement from international competition in February 2013, and immediately set out her vision for her legacy, which she sees as her greatest challenge in swimming. During a stellar career, Adlington won multiple Olympic, World, European and Commonwealth Games gold medals. She competed in four Olympic finals, winning two Gold and two Bronze medals in Beijing and London respectively. She remains the current world record holder in the 800m Freestyle, and undoubtedly the greatest swimmer that Great Britain has ever produced, not to mention one of the most successful female athletes in British Olympic history.

Winner of the T42 200m Gold at the London 2012 Paralympics, Richard is the current world record holder for leg amputees in both the half and Olympic marathon distances. He is also the first ever leg amputee to complete the marathon in under 3 hours. Richard recently completed a mammoth challenge of 40 marathons in 40 days in Britain, seeing him run from John O'Groats to Land's End.

Over the last decade Rick O'Shea has established himself as integral part of BBC Wales’ Rugby Flagship Scrum V & also hosts the weekly rugby show on BBC Radio Wales.

Rob Franks tells the unique and inspirational story of how he overcame adversity to realise his childhood dream.

Robbie’s passion is to help others to understand the human mind as a manageable machine; supporting them to develop the insight and practical skills conducive to achieving self-fulfilment in life.

Robbie Fowler played as a striker from 1993 to 2012. Fowler was known for being a natural scorer with an instinctive goal-poaching ability.

Roger Black is one of the country's most successful sportsmen having represented Great Britain for fourteen years at the highest level in the world of athletics. Roger won fifteen major Championship Medals including European, Commonwealth and World Championship Gold Medals. His greatest achievements were winning the Olympic 400 metres Silver Medal in 1996 and being part of the Gold Medal winning 4 x 400 metres relay team at the 1991 World Championships. Still one of the UK's most popular speakers, Roger inspires and motivates audiences throughout the UK and Europe – he understands the dynamics of becoming a champion, how to live a dream, set goals and fulfil ones potential. Roger's presentations are designed to motivate people to become more successful both as individuals and as members of a team. All world-class teams are comprised of world-class individuals. Roger shares strategies to develop the mindset of a champion by applying his "Five Fundamentals" for success.

Sally Gunnell OBE DL is the only woman ever to hold the Big Four concurrently (Olympic, World, Commonwealth and European titles), Sally remains a towering figure in British athletics. She has more than 15 years’ experience in addressing a wide variety of corporate audiences. She has covered global conferences of thousands and senior leadership teams of just 6. Her natural, easy-going style belies her relentless focus on achieving and sustaining excellence.

World Cup winner Sarah Hunter is a stalwart of English Rugby. Recognised for her Services to Rugby with a MBE in 2014, she has become a leading inspirational role model for the women’s and girls’ game.

Former Scotland and British and Irish Lions rugby player now commentating on rugby sevens and Sky Sports.

Sean Fitzpatrick is a former Rugby Union player who represented New Zealand and is widely regarded as one of the finest players ever to come from that country.

Sharron Davies MBE occupies a unique position in British life. She has occupied a position as one of the UK’s best known and most popular women since she burst onto the scene as a 13-year-old Olympian in 1976. Sharron Davies MBE is the ultimate Olympian. She has attended 9 Olympic Games – three as an athlete and six as a broadcaster, and has unparalleled experience over the past 35 years as a competitor and broadcaster.

Ben Ainslie is the most decorated Olympic sailor of all time, being a four-time Olympic gold medalist. He rose to prominence in the Atlanta Games after being beaten into silver by Brazilian Robert Scheidt. In Sydney he took his revenge, establishing a fourteen-point lead over his rival in the final race. Remarkably, he went on to win in Athens, Beijing and London.

Sir Chris Hoy has long been one of the world’s best known cyclists and in 2012 he found another place in the record books as Team GB’s most successful Olympian, with six gold medals and one silver, making him also the most successful cyclist in history. His passion for cycling started from a young age he truly followed his ambitions to achieve this success. In 2008 he was voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year, and was appointed Knight Bachelor in the 2009 New Year Honours "for services to Sport". In 2012 the "Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome", built for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games was named in his honour.

Sir Clive Woodward saw a successful Rugby Union career playing for Leicester Tigers, England and the British and Irish Lions. Off the pitch, Clive experienced a flourishing career in coaching, at his peak leading the England International team to world cup victory in Sydney in 2003.

As Cycling Performance Director at Beijing, Dave Brailsford was widely credited as the driving force behind Team GB's phenomenal results. Dave himself was crowned BBC Sports Personality Coach of the Year and this supreme success was repeated at London 2012; the team stormed home with twelve medals, including eight golds. Dave speaks proficiently about the importance of focus, motivation and teamwork, and how leaders must deal with different people and their reactions to success and failure.

Sir Steve Redgrave is a Team GB rower, who successfully captured five consecutive gold medals at five consecutive Olympic Games from 1984 to 2000. Known as one of Britain's greatest sporting personalities, Steve has also won nine gold medals, two silvers and a bronze at the Rowing World Championships over a span of nine years. His record of 14 total Olympic and World Championship gold medals is unsurpassed by any other rower in history.

Former Paralympic long jumper and sprinter Stef has had a lifelong passion for sport. She is a five-time world record holder, but away from the track she also has a degree in biochemistry, was a finalist on Celebrity MasterChef, and made her modelling debut fronting Debenhams’ Diversity Campaign, which aimed to challenge the perceived norms of the fashion industry.

Steve Backley OBE only turned to the javelin after competing in cross-country and middle distance running. He then went on to become four times European champion and winner of three Commonwealth golds, and the only British athlete to win medals at three consecutive Olympic Games. He was ranked in the top ten for a decade, three times as world number one. Steve identifies the three main attributes which lead to success: self-belief, motivation and application. Winning is more than just natural talent. We all have the ability to tap into these natural sources to make the ultimate difference on the day.

Steve Brown is a British Wheelchair Rugby athlete and Captain of the Great Britain National Wheelchair Rugby Team. He led the team in Wheelchair rugby at the 2012 Summer Paralympics. Brown broke his neck in a fall from a balcony in Cologne in 2005.

Steve Cram is a British Icon recognised as one of the finest athletes of his generation. He is a World, Olympic, European and Commonwealth medallist as well as 3 time World Record holder during his illustrious athletic career. He was recognised for his achievements by winning the BBC Sports Personality of the year in 1983, and receiving his MBE in 1986.

Known for dominating snooker during the 1980s when he won the World Championship six times and was ranked world number one for seven consecutive seasons.

Steve Rider is an English sports presenter, and was the anchorman of ITV's football coverage, which included the Champions League, England Internationals, the FA Cup and the 2006 World Cup.

Suzi Perry is known for presenting shows such as The Gadget Show on Channel 5 for 9 years and the BBC's Formula One coverage from 2013.

11 Paralympic Gold Medals, 6 times winner of London Wheelchair Marathon Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson is Britain's greatest Paralympic athlete. She competed in five Paralympic Games, winning 11 Gold Medals, and is acknowledged as one of the most gifted and courageous sportswomen of her generation. In addition to her outstanding Paralympic achievements, between 1992 and 2002 she won the London Wheelchair Marathon a total of six times. Now retired, Tanni still plays an active role in the administration of sport.

Soccer pundit, Terry Venables has a warm, embracing smile and seemingly endless flow of anecdotes which keep him in high demand for both Media and corporate work.


Will Greenwood is one of England’s greatest ever rugby players. In a professional career that spanned 11 years and 55 international caps he established a reputation as an unsurpassed mid-field creator. The second highest international try scoring centre of all time, he was an integral part of England’s victorious World Cup campaign of 2003, a character and leader in one of the most successful team dynamics seen in recent times.