Olympic Medallist, Set the British 400 Metre Record, Co-Founded the Performance Consultancy BackleyBlack with Fellow Olympic Medallist Steve Backley & Author of ‘How Long’s the Course’
Roger Black MBE’s Biography:
Roger Black MBE is one of Britain’s most celebrated former athletes, renowned for his achievements as a world-class 400 metre runner, Olympic medallist and respected sports broadcaster. Across an outstanding athletics career, Roger became synonymous with resilience, consistency and performing under pressure, earning medals on the Olympic, World, European and Commonwealth stage while breaking the British 400 metre record. Following his success on the track, he established an equally impressive career in broadcasting, business and performance consultancy, making him a highly sought-after keynote speaker who shares practical insights on leadership, teamwork, resilience, peak performance and sustaining success.
Roger emerged as one of Britain’s brightest athletics talents after winning individual 400 metre and 4×400 metre relay gold medals at the European Junior Championships. He continued his rise with double gold at the Commonwealth Games and European Championships before adding a World Championship relay silver medal, retaining both European titles and then securing individual and relay medals at the World Championships and Olympic Games. He was appointed an MBE for services to athletics and went on to win relay gold at the European Championships, individual and relay silver medals at the Atlanta Olympic Games, where he also set a British 400 metre record of 44.37 seconds, and an individual World Championship silver medal. In 2025, he was officially awarded an upgraded World Championship gold medal following a retrospective disqualification.
Roger’s achievements have been complemented by a successful media career that has kept him at the forefront of British sport. Since joining the BBC Sport presentation team, he has covered major international athletics championships, drawing on first-hand experience to provide expert analysis and commentary. His engaging personality also led to appearances on popular television programmes including ‘Strictly Come Dancing’, where he competed in the inaugural series, and ‘Celebrity MasterChef’, in which he reached the final. These experiences have strengthened his reputation as an engaging communicator who connects naturally with audiences of all backgrounds.
Why Hire Roger Black MBE?
Beyond broadcasting, Roger has built a successful business career by co-founding the performance consultancy BackleyBlack with fellow Olympic medallist Steve Backley, helping organisations and leaders unlock high performance through the lessons of elite sport. He also published his autobiography, ‘How Long’s the Course’, offering an honest account of the determination required to compete at the highest level. Drawing on his experiences of overcoming setbacks, thriving under intense pressure and performing consistently on the world’s biggest stages, Roger delivers keynote presentations that are motivational, practical and highly relevant to modern organisations. His authentic storytelling, elite sporting pedigree and proven business expertise ensure audiences leave inspired with tangible strategies for improving leadership, collaboration, resilience and performance.
Roger Black MBE’s Career Highlights:
Here are some of the key milestones that define Roger Black MBE’s remarkable career:
- 2025 – Received his upgraded 1997 World Championship gold medal following an official retrospective disqualification at the London Diamond League
- 2008 – Co-founded performance consultancy BackleyBlack alongside fellow Olympic medallist Steve Backley
- 1998 – Joined the BBC Sport presentation team to cover major international athletics championships
- 1998 – Published his official athletic career autobiography, How Long’s the Course’
- 1996 – Won individual silver and 4x400m relay silver medals at the Atlanta Olympic Games
- 1996 – Set a lifetime personal best of 44.37 seconds to break the British 400m record
- 1992 – Invested as a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to athletics
- 1992 – Won a 4x400m relay bronze medal at the Barcelona Olympic Games
- 1990 – Retained both his individual 400m and 4x400m relay titles at the European Championships in Split
- 1987 – Secured a 4x400m relay silver medal at the World Athletics Championships in Rome
- 1986 – Won dual gold medals in the individual 400m and 4x400m relay at the Edinburgh Commonwealth Games
Videos
Roger Black MBE’s Official Keynote Speaking Videos & Showreel:
Testimonials
“Roger Black MBE is an outstanding keynote speaker who combines the credibility of an Olympic medallist with the insight of a broadcaster and performance consultant. Drawing on his experiences of competing under pressure, leading successful relay teams and overcoming setbacks, Roger delivers engaging, practical presentations that inspire audiences to achieve peak performance. His authentic storytelling, warm delivery and actionable lessons on leadership, resilience and teamwork make him an excellent choice for conferences, leadership events and corporate audiences.” – David Simms
Speaking Topics
Roger Black MBE’s Official Keynote Topics:
- Olympics
- Medallist
- High Performance
- Leadership
- Resilience
- Teamwork
How Much Does Roger Black MBE Cost to Hire?
How Much Does it Cost to Hire Roger Black MBE?
Roger Black MBE’s speaking fees typically reflect their exceptional career and international demand. Engagements vary depending on location, format, and duration; keynote appearances, conferences, and international events may command higher fees due to travel and preparation requirements.
