Kate Richardson-Walsh

Kate was wonderful, such an inspiring speaker and was an absolute delight to have as a guest. We have been inundated with compliments for her and it seems she really struck the right note with the audience in everything she said about team ambition and leadership.

Mishcon de Reya, Entrepreneurs Forum

Kate Richardson-Walsh – Record-Breaking 375 Caps for Great Britain & England & Inductee of the European Hall of Fame

Kate Richardson-Walsh OBE is one of Britain’s most decorated hockey players, renowned for captaining the England and Great Britain women’s teams for over a decade. Amassing a record 375 caps and leading her country to Olympic gold in Rio 2016, she is celebrated as a trailblazer in sport and leadership. Beyond her achievements on the pitch, Kate is a passionate advocate for equality and inclusion, using her platform to inspire positive change. Today, she is a respected coach, commentator and keynote speaker, sharing powerful insights on teamwork, resilience and diversity.

Speaking Topics:

High Performance Teams & Culture Transformation
Authentic Leadership
Resilience & Sustained Performance
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Leading Through Values
Mental Health & Wellbeing
Women’s Leadership & Representation

Credentials and Impact

Kate’s international career spanned 17 years, during which she collected 19 medals and scored 49 goals for her country. She captained her team through some of its most defining moments, culminating in Olympic gold at Rio 2016. Alongside her playing career, she contributed to the governance of sport as a member of the British Olympic Association Athletes’ Commission and later as Co-Chair of the International Hockey Federation’s Athletes’ Commission.

Following her retirement, Kate turned her focus to coaching and development. She led Hampstead & Westminster Ladies XI as Head Coach, provided commentary for major broadcasters including BT Sport and BBC Sport, and in 2023 became Assistant Coach of Field Hockey Canada. In business, she has delivered leadership programmes for organisations such as Virgin Media O2, while in education, she has been recognised with honorary doctorates and fellowships for her impact on sport and society. Her many honours, including induction into the European Hall of Fame and England Hockey’s highest accolade, demonstrate her lasting influence. Kate’s journey reflects not only excellence in performance but also dedication to advancing sport, equality and inclusive leadership.

Publications and Media

Kate is the co-author of ‘Winning Together: An Olympic-Winning Approach to Building Better Teams’ (2021), a book that draws on her experiences as captain of Team GB to share lessons on leadership, teamwork and resilience. Blending practical strategies with inspiring anecdotes, the book offers readers tools for creating high-performing, cohesive teams in sport, business and beyond. Through her writing, Kate extends her influence off the pitch, providing a resource that empowers individuals and organisations to embrace collaboration, diversity and shared purpose in pursuit of success.

Why Book Kate?

Audiences book Kate for her proven ability to inspire through lived experience at the very highest level of sport. As captain of England and Great Britain, she mastered the art of motivating diverse teams, navigating setbacks and ultimately leading her country to Olympic glory. Since retiring, she has seamlessly transferred those skills into coaching, business and broadcasting, where her insights on resilience, communication and high performance resonate widely.

Kate is also admired for her advocacy in gender equality and LGBT+ inclusion, having been part of the first same-sex couple to both receive honours on the Queen’s List. With accolades such as the National Lottery Spirit of Sport Award, she is recognised not just for her sporting achievements but also for her wider influence. Known for her warmth, clarity and authenticity, Kate’s talks challenge audiences to rethink leadership, embrace inclusivity and build teams that thrive under pressure.

To book Kate to speak at your event, call SpeakOut on +44 (0) 20 8914 8966. Alternatively, complete our contact form to begin your enquiry.