As our keynote speaker programme takes shape, we’re delighted to announce that Olympic gold medallist and performance coach, Ben Hunt Davis MBE, will be delivering a keynote at the Inspiring Leadership Conference 2025 (12 & 13 June 2025, the ICC, Birmingham). 

Since winning Olympic Gold on the waters of Sydney in 2000 in Team GB men's rowing eight and retiring from professional sport to become a coach, Ben has realised the power of the lessons behind his story.

With more than 20 years’ experience, Ben specialises in leadership and team development. He is also a best-selling co-author of the book ‘Will It Make The Boat Go Faster?’ in which he tells the story of the 24 months leading up to the Sydney Olympics and how the Great Britain Men’s Eight changed as a crew from being a regularly seventh placed boat to a winning one.

The story is one of a group of individuals who became an winning team by following a set of performance principles, habitually and consistently, in everything they did, and asking the question, ‘will it make the boat go faster?’.

Georgie Butler, Associate Director of Inspiring Leadership Events, comments: “As an Olympian, experienced performance coach and leading keynote speaker, Ben’s keynote will provide a fascinating and informed perspective on what it takes to achieve big goals and create high performance teams.  Ben was even mentioned by 2024 keynote Giles Duley and I’m confident that he’ll provide invaluable insight for our delegates whether they’re the CEO of a school trust or are just starting out on their career as a teacher.”

As our keynote speaker programme takes shape, we’re delighted to announce that Olympic gold medallist and performance coach, Ben Hunt Davis MBE, will be delivering a keynote at the Inspiring Leadership Conference 2025 (12 & 13 June 2025, the ICC, Birmingham). 

Since winning Olympic Gold on the waters of Sydney in 2000 in Team GB men's rowing eight and retiring from professional sport to become a coach, Ben has realised the power of the lessons behind his story.

With more than 20 years’ experience, Ben specialises in leadership and team development. He is also a best-selling co-author of the book ‘Will It Make The Boat Go Faster?’ in which he tells the story of the 24 months leading up to the Sydney Olympics and how the Great Britain Men’s Eight changed as a crew from being a regularly seventh placed boat to a winning one.

The story is one of a group of individuals who became an winning team by following a set of performance principles, habitually and consistently, in everything they did, and asking the question, ‘will it make the boat go faster?’.

Georgie Butler, Associate Director of Inspiring Leadership Events, comments: “As an Olympian, experienced performance coach and leading keynote speaker, Ben’s keynote will provide a fascinating and informed perspective on what it takes to achieve big goals and create high performance teams.  Ben was even mentioned by 2024 keynote Giles Duley and I’m confident that he’ll provide invaluable insight for our delegates whether they’re the CEO of a school trust or are just starting out on their career as a teacher.”