Naomi Riches

Naomi Riches MBE is a British adaptive rower, Paralympic gold medallist and resilience speaker who represented Paralymics GB over an extraordinary 10-year elite sporting career. Best known for winning gold at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, Naomi also secured six World Rowing Championship titles, a World Championship silver medal and a bronze medal at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games. Renowned for her determination, teamwork and ability to overcome adversity, Naomi is now highly sought-after as a speaker on resilience, peak performance, inclusion and leadership, sharing lessons from elite sport that translate directly into business and personal success.

Naomi’s rowing career began when she was invited to join the GB Adaptive Rowing Team in 2004. Shortly after joining the programme, she won her first two World Rowing Championship titles and later became a member of Marlow Rowing Club. Over the following decade, Naomi established herself as one of Britain’s most successful adaptive rowers, consistently competing at the highest level internationally. Her achievements culminated in Paralympic gold at London 2012 before retiring from elite sport in 2013 after winning her sixth World Championship title.

Beyond competition, Naomi has continued to make a significant impact through charity work, leadership and public speaking. In 2016, she set a Guinness World Record as the first woman to row the length of the navigable Thames in under 48 hours while raising £51,000 for a local Marlow charity. In recognition of her contribution to the community, she was appointed Deputy Lieutenant of the County of Buckinghamshire in 2023, supporting The Countess Howe, His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire. She was also appointed an MBE in the 2013 New Year’s Honours for services to rowing.

Today, Naomi runs her own business as an inspirational speaker, facilitator and resilience coach, working with organisations, teams and individuals across the UK. Drawing upon her experiences as an elite athlete and record-breaker, she delivers engaging talks on resilience, diversity and inclusion, teamwork and sustaining peak performance under pressure.

Naomi Riches MBE is hired as a speaker for her powerful ability to connect elite sporting experiences with real-world business and personal challenges. Combining Paralympic success with expertise in resilience coaching and facilitation, Naomi delivers engaging and practical talks that inspire audiences to embrace change, overcome setbacks and perform under pressure. Her experiences as a Paralympic champion, world-record holder and advocate for inclusion allow her to offer authentic insights into teamwork, leadership and adaptability. Naomi’s presentations are motivational, relatable and tailored to help organisations build stronger, more resilient cultures.

Here are some of the key milestones that define Naomi Riches’ remarkable career:

  • 2023 – Became a Deputy Lieutenant of the County of Buckinghamshire, supporting The Countess Howe, His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire.
  • 2020 – Launched her own business as an inspirational speaker, facilitator and resilience coach.
  • 2016 – Set a Guinness World Record as the first woman to row the length of the navigable Thames in under 48 hours while raising £51,000 for charity.
  • 2013 – Retired from elite sport following a decorated international rowing career.
  • 2013 – Won her sixth World Rowing Championship title.
  • 2012 – Won a gold medal representing Paralymics GB at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
  • 2011 – Secured her fifth World Rowing Championship title.
  • 2009 – Claimed her fourth World Rowing Championship title.
  • 2008 – Won a bronze medal at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games.
  • 2004 – Joined the GB Adaptive Rowing Team and won her first World Rowing Championship title shortly afterwards.