Co-Founder & Director of Will It Make The Boat Go Faster Ltd, Olympic Gold Medallist & Co-Author of “Will It Make The Boat Go Faster?”
Ben Hunt-Davis’s Biography:
Ben Hunt-Davis is an Olympic gold medallist, former competition rower, and one of the leading voices in performance thinking. Best known for helping Great Britain claim gold in the Men’s Eight at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games—the first GB crew to win the event since 1912—Ben became a symbol of discipline, teamwork, and long-term strategic focus. His Olympic success, combined with his work in business and leadership development, has made him a highly respected figure across sport and corporate performance.
His early sporting career saw him represent Team GB at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games and again at the 1996 Atlanta Games. Ben also competed at multiple World Championships, winning a silver medal in the Men’s Eight at the 1999 St Catharines World Championships. These experiences shaped his understanding of elite sporting culture, high-pressure environments, and the process of marginal gains that ultimately led to Olympic victory.
After retiring from competitive rowing, Ben applied the lessons from his Olympic campaign to life beyond sport. He became Director of Point8 Coaching in 2004 and later served as Head of Athlete Engagement for the British Olympic Association in 2009. His leadership roles continued as Chairman of both the 2011 World Rowing Junior Championships and the Organising Committee of the 2012 Samsung World Rowing Cup at Eton Dorney. In the same year, he co-founded Will It Make The Boat Go Faster? Ltd, a performance consultancy delivering training and keynote speeches to global organisations.
Ben’s impact extends internationally. He co-authored the bestselling book Will It Make The Boat Go Faster?, a guide to using Olympic-winning strategies for everyday and organisational success. Ben has worked with major clients including Barclays, the NHS, Accenture, Royal Mail, Shell, and Ernst & Young. Appointed MBE in 2001, Ben is known for his clarity, humour, and ability to translate Olympic principles into practical actions that drive meaningful change.
Why Hire Ben Hunt-Davis?
Ben Hunt-Davis is a dynamic and motivating speaker who translates Olympic-winning principles into clear, practical strategies for organisations. He helps teams sharpen focus, improve collaboration, and achieve ambitious goals by breaking down complex performance ideas into simple, actionable steps. With a compelling storytelling style and a results-driven approach, Ben draws directly from his Olympic triumph and leadership experience to inspire meaningful change in any environment. Having delivered talks to more than 200,000 people across 50 countries, he brings a global perspective and proven impact, making him an exceptional choice for corporate events, leadership programmes, and high-performance workshops.
Ben Hunt-Davis’s Career Highlights:
Below showcases Ben Hunt-Davis’s inspirational career throughout the Olympics, sports and more:
- 2025 – Keynote speaker at the MIA Conference 2025 on 6 November, exploring team performance and excellence in the meetings industry.
- 2023 – Interviewed by CEO World Magazine and Business Leader on performance and leadership.
- 2012 – Co-founded Will It Make The Boat Go Faster? Ltd, delivering performance coaching worldwide.
- 2012 – Chaired the Organising Committee of the Samsung World Rowing Cup at Eton Dorney.
- 2012 – Rowed with the Olympic Torch as part of the Gloriana crew for the London Games.
- 2011 – Chaired the World Rowing Junior Championships, supporting the next generation of athletes.
- 2011 – Co-authored Will It Make The Boat Go Faster?: Olympic-Winning Strategies for Everyday Success.
- 2009 – Became Head of Athlete Engagement for the British Olympic Association.
- 2004 – Appointed Director of Point8 Coaching.
- 2001 – Awarded an MBE for services to rowing.
- 2000 – Won Olympic Gold in the Men’s Eight at the Sydney Games, ending a 88-year British drought in the event.
Videos
Ben Hunt-Davis’s Official Keynote Speaking Videos & Showreel:
Testimonials
“I think the key thing is, if you’ve achieved what Ben’s achieved, it’s obviously a message in itself in terms of that highest level of performance, but also Ben’s got a presence and a charisma about him that makes the message come home in a very solid way.” – Talent Stream
“I was really impressed that Ben took the time before the session to understand our business and was, therefore, able to relate his experiences on his journey to a Gold medal in Sydney to the daily challenges we face in growing our business and keeping the team focused and motivated. Ben delivered this message flawlessly. He is a highly inspirational speaker and I would not hesitate to recommend him to anyone looking for a speaker to motivate their team.” – Ian, Managing Director, Information Management Group Ltd
“Just a quick note to say a very big thank you for the fabulous talk you gave at the conference on Friday. Everyone I have spoken to thought your session was outstanding. Of particular note was the way in which you related your rowing experiences to our theme of the day, something that is often overlooked by many ‘inspirational’ speakers.” – Partners’ Conference, Ernst & Young
“Our participants were impressed by Ben’s story and will never forget him. It is an inspirational journey that we can apply to any kind of business or deal situation.” – Florence, HR Director, Capgemini Group
“Having Ben at our Company Kick Off took our event to a different level. His personal experience demonstrated and perfectly supported our company mission to change the game, leaving staff motivated, inspired and focused on the changes ahead. His ability to relate to people from all levels and the challenges of a growing business was spot on. I would thoroughly recommend him to other business leaders looking to motivate and focus on their teams.” – David, CEO, Acora
Speaking Topics
Ben Hunt-Davis’s Official Keynote Topics:
- An Inspiring Story of Winning an Olympic Gold Medal
- Professional Sport
- Teamwork
- Peak Performance
How Much Does Ben Hunt-Davis Cost to Hire?
How Much Does it Cost to Hire Ben Hunt-Davis?
The cost of hiring Ben Hunt-Davis varies depending on factors such as whether the event is in person or virtual, the location, the length of the session, and any specific preparation requirements. For an accurate, tailored quote for your event, please contact a London Keynote Speaker Agency booking agent for expert guidance.