Tim lost his sight at the age of 31 and, having worked in the leisure industry, decided to try his hand at elite sport. He subsequently won medals at three successive Paralympics and Gold at four World Swimming Championships. He joined the British Paralympic Board soon after, and was Chair to oversee a complete overhaul after Beijing 2008, ushering in a new and successful era at London 2012, where he was also a member of the LOCOG Board.
Tim was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa at the age of 31 and soon lost his sight completely. After a tough start in life, this setback caused him to rethink everything and, having previously worked in the leisure industry, he decided to take up elite sport. He went on to win medals at three successive Paralympics and Gold medals at four World Swimming Championships.
During his time as a competitor, Tim was asked to join the athletes committee and was baffled by the behaviour of ‘the suits’ running his sport. When asked to join the British Paralympic board he jumped at the chance and, when the organisation needed a total overhaul after the 2008 Games, Tim was given the Chair. He immediately made a tough decision and removed the CEO, welcoming the start of a new and successful era for British Paralympic sport, shown to glittering effect at the 2012 Games in London, where he was also a member of the LOCOG Board.
In speeches Tim describes the constant adaptation required of professional athletes, and challenges businesses to the same. He shows organisations how to develop a culture that embraces change and achieves excellence, using a bike wheel as a model. If the spokes are bent and the rim isn’t holding everything in place then the bike isn’t moving, regardless of whether the tyre is pumped up.
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