Ben Hunt-Davis

Ben Hunt-Davis – Co-Founder & Director of Will It Make The Boat Go Faster Ltd

Ben Hunt-Davis MBE is a former Olympic rower who achieved global recognition when he won Gold in the Men’s Eight at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, ending an 88-year wait for Great Britain in the event. Competing at three consecutive Olympic Games and multiple World Championships, he became a role model in sport, admired for his resilience, teamwork, and leadership. Honoured with an MBE in 2001, Ben has since built a successful career as a motivational speaker and performance coach, inspiring organisations worldwide by translating his Olympic experience into practical lessons on leadership and high performance.

Speaker Topics:

• An Inspiring Story of Winning an Olympic Gold Medal

Credentials and Impact

Following his Olympic triumph in Sydney 2000 and the MBE he received in the 2001 New Year Honours, Ben quickly established himself as a leader beyond rowing. Drawing on the strategies that led his crew to victory, he became a sought-after performance coach and speaker.

In the early 2000s, Ben launched Point8 Coaching, working with athletes and business leaders to improve focus and performance. His influence soon expanded into sports governance, as he took on prominent leadership roles. In 2011, he was appointed Chairman of the World Rowing Junior Championships, followed by his role as Chairman of the Organising Committee for the Samsung World Rowing Cup at Eton Dorney. His work in these positions highlighted his ability to manage international events at scale.

During the same period, Ben served as Head of Athlete Engagement for the British Olympic Association, supporting Team GB in preparation for global competition. Building on these experiences, he co-founded Will It Make The Boat Go Faster? Ltd, a consultancy that has since worked with major organisations including Barclays, NHS, Shell, Accenture, and Royal Mail.

Through awards, leadership roles, and corporate impact, Ben has transitioned from Olympic champion to an authority on performance, motivation, and transformational leadership.

Publications and Media

Ben co-authored the best-selling book ‘Will It Make The Boat Go Faster?’, which applies Olympic-winning strategies to business and personal success. He has contributed articles and interviews for major outlets and featured on BBC News, sharing his insights into performance, leadership, and teamwork. He has also appeared on the podcast Giving The Gam

e Away in an episode titled “Will It Make The Boat Go Faster?”, discussing how he and his team adopted a question-based approach to transform performance and achieve extraordinary results.

Why Book Ben?

Ben brings a rare combination of Olympic achievement, leadership expertise, and engaging storytelling that makes him an exceptional choice for conferences and corporate events. His keynote speeches, delivered to more than 200,000 people across 50 countries, inspire audiences to rethink their approach to challenges and embrace high-performance principles. Drawing on the same strategies that helped him and his crew win Olympic Gold, Ben provides practical tools that individuals and teams can immediately apply to their own goals.

With humour and authenticity, Ben connects with executives, leaders, and teams alike, making complex performance strategies accessible and actionable. Whether addressing leadership development, goal-setting, or building a culture of improvement, Ben Hunt-Davis empowers organisations to achieve extraordinary results. He leaves audiences energised, inspired, and ready to perform at their best, making him an ideal speaker for businesses and events seeking lasting impact and motivation.

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

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