Sporting Speakers

Guenther Steiner

Guenther began his professional life in rallying, initially joining the Mazda Rally Team Europe as a mechanic. His career progressed to the pinnacle of motorsport, Formula 1, where he served as Team Principal of the Haas F1 Team. His appearances on the Netflix series Drive to Survive has made him a star, and his book Surviving to Drive reveals the highs, lows, pressures and demands experienced behind the scenes of the sport.

Maggie Alphonsi

As England rugby vice-captain Maggie won a record-breaking seven consecutive Six Nations titles, and got to the final of the World Cup twice, winning once. In speeches she covers leadership and performing under pressure.

Jill Scott

Former England international Jill Scott had an illustrious eighteen year playing career with Manchester City, Everton, Sunderland, and Aston Villa. She won Euro 2022 with the Lionesses in her final game as a professional, and as the second-highest capped player.

Sir Matthew Pinsent

The four-time Olympic champion oarsman has now become a polished presenter. After dinner Matt lets guests get their hands on his medals. With ready wit he recalls the punishing training regime, their need to adapt to circumstances and the sheer exhilaration of beating world class crews.

Martina Navratilova

When she defected from Czechoslovakia to the US, Martina was set on becoming the top female tennis player in the world. She achieved more tournament titles than any man or woman in history, enjoyed a 74-match winning streak and claimed a final Grand Slam at the age of 49. She’s now a powerful voice for diversity. In speeches Martina explains that true competitors aren’t put off by boundaries: “Most of their pressures are self-imposed.”

Martin Bayfield

Martin has progressed from copper to Crimewatch presenter. In between he enjoyed a successful career as a rugby forward, earning 31 international caps. With natural comic timing, the 6’10” colossus compares his own sport to football, and reveals how he became a part of the Harry Potter phenomenon.

Colin Jackson

Colin was ranked among the top ten hurdlers in the world for nearly two decades – retaining the 110m record for thirteen years. He has since picked up his spikes to train young athletes. Away from the race track he’s become a polished presenter, and one of the driving forces behind Sport Relief. Colin speaks about the winning formula, the mental visualisation techniques and the unwavering dedication needed to stay at the top of your game.

Matt Dawson

Possibly the best scrum half in the world, Matt’s performance in the World Cup-winning England rugby team, and especially his pass that led to the winning kick, earned enormous respect within the sport. A former England captain, Matt is a proven leader and a natural team player and he combines his playing experience with his more recent business lessons to consider the nature of teams, leadership and performance culture. He’s also an accomplished presenter of conferences and awards.

Dame Kelly Holmes

Colonel Dame Kelly Holmes is a British icon and inspiration. After joining the army at seventeen, she cemented her place in history as the first women ever in Great Britain to win two gold medals at the same games at the Athens Olympics.

Sir Chris Hoy

Chris has amassed eleven World Championship titles and six Olympic golds. Since retiring from the track he's competed at Le Mans, launched his own bike range, published children's books, and spoken publicly about his cancer diagnosis and its terminal status. An inspiring figure on and off the track, Chris tells his story of highs and lows, resilience, rewards, determination and teamwork.

Mark Foster

Mark won fifty one international freestyle and butterfly titles including six world titles and eleven European. He also set eight world records and competed at five Olympics before honing his punditry skills for the BBC, taking to the Strictly dancefloor and becoming the force behind FitSteps. As well as lessons in preparation and focus, he has more recently opened up about his sexuality and how his reluctance to be open about being gay with colleagues and coaches may have impacted on his professional performance and general wellbeing.

Nicolas Hamilton

Nicolas was told as a child he’d never walk due to his cerebral palsy and would spend his life reliant in a wheelchair. Not one to be told he can’t do things, with determination and gruelling training he not only walked unaided, but he started to realise his dream: to be a racing driver. Now a regular in the British Touring Car Championship, his story and ‘anything is possible’ attitude inspires everyone that hears it.

Kate Richardson-Walsh

The most capped woman player in British hockey and the international captain for over a decade, Kate guided the team through tough times, a revolution of personnel and culture, and on to Olympic glory. With lessons in leadership, teambuilding and vision, Kate reveals how a group of competitive individuals can come together to defy expectations.

Alex Scott

After captaining Arsenal and playing over 100 matches for England, Alex is now one of the best-known faces in sports broadcasting. She's broken down barriers to become the first woman to commentate on men’s international and club matches for the BBC and Sky respectively. She has also hosted a game show, coverage of Tokyo’s Olympics and The One Show.