Dame Katherine Grainger CBE

Katherine Grainger, with her remarkable record of five Olympic medals—one gold and four silver—stands as the only female athlete to achieve medals in five consecutive Olympic Games. This achievement earned her a CBE in the 2013 New Year’s Honours. Her dominance in rowing, alongside earning a PhD from one of the world’s top 25 universities, has made her one of the most sought-after corporate speakers.

Katherine began rowing at Edinburgh University in 1993, quickly showcasing her talent. She was awarded the Eva Bailey Trophy as the university’s most outstanding female athlete in 1996 and 1997, the same year she won her first international gold medal at the U23 World Rowing Championships.

Her Olympic journey began with a silver in the women’s Quadruple Sculls at the Sydney Olympics in 2000. She continued to excel, winning silver in the coxless pairs in Athens in 2004 and another silver in the Quadruple Sculls in Beijing in 2008. At the London Olympics in 2012, Katherine, alongside Anna Watkins, broke the Olympic record in the Double Sculls, ultimately winning the gold medal. Additionally, Katherine has secured eight medals at World Championships between 1997 and 2011.

Katherine’s accolades include being named Scottish Sportsperson of the Year and receiving the Emirates Lonsdale Trophy by Commonwealth Games Scotland in 2009. She has been elected to the British Olympic Association’s Athlete Commission and serves on the board of the charity ‘International Inspiration.’ Moreover, she has been appointed Chair of UK Sport for a four-year term.

Her media presence includes appearances on TV shows like ‘Superstars,’ ‘A Question of Sport,’ ‘Countdown,’ and ‘The Clare Balding Show.’ She has also co-presented the Rowing World Cup coverage and the BBC ‘Inspire’ series and served as a pundit during the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Katherine is a highly sought-after keynote and after-dinner speaker, excelling in discussions on teamwork, overcoming challenges, motivation, winning, and the importance of communication. Her inspiring journey and insights make her an exceptional speaker for any event.