Dame Katherine Grainger
One of London 2012’s shining stars, inspirational rower and motivational speaker, Dame Katherine Grainger DBE is Britain’s most decorated female Olympian, winning medals at five consecutive Olympic Games.
Adept in facing adversity and unimaginable challenges Katherine’s momentous success story speaks to all audiences on the rewards of fierce determination.
The world champion offers insights into leadership, teamwork and the key to success.
Beginnings
Motivational speaker, Dame Katherine Grainger graduated in law from Edinburgh University, then went on to achieve an MPhil in Medical Law and Medical Ethics from Glasgow University, and in May 2013 completed a PhD in the sentencing of homicide at King’s College, University of London.
Katherine took up rowing at Edinburgh University in 1993 and made such good progress she was awarded the Eva Bailey Trophy as their most outstanding female athlete in 1996 and again in 1997, when she won her first international Gold medal at the U23 World Rowing Championships. Katherine is the Honorary President of the Scottish Amateur Rowing Association and is a member of Edinburgh Rowing Club, St Andrew Boat Club and Marlow Rowing Club. Dame Katherine Grainger is also an honorary life member of Aberdeen Boat Club.
Awards
In November 2009, Katherine was named Scottish Sportsperson of the Year and awarded the Emirates Lonsdale Trophy by Commonwealth Games Scotland, the first female to win this prestigious award, and in the process leaving such Scottish sporting luminaries as Andy Murray and Sir Chris Hoy in her wake. In December 2010, Katherine was excited to be awarded an honorary doctorate by The Robert Gordon University, in Aberdeen. In June 2011 she was delighted to receive an honorary doctorate from her former university, Edinburgh University.
Dame Katherine Grainger: Olympic Glory
In 2012, Katherine’s dreams were realised when she won the elusive Olympic Gold medal alongside teammate Anna Watkins in the double sculls in London.
Katherine has been short-listed for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award, had a post box in Aberdeen painted gold in her honour, appeared on the Superstars television show and started in 2013 as a BBC pundit covering the Rowing World Cup events. She was elected to the British Olympic Association’s Athlete Commission and was a Champion for the 2018 Glasgow bid to host the Youth Olympic Games. Katherine wrote her autobiography ‘Dreams Do Come True’, and in August 2016, Katherine achieved silver in the Rio Olympics, together with Victoria Thorney, making her the most decorated British female Olympian
Honours
In 2015, Katherine was appointed the fourth Chancellor of Oxford Brookes University, in a ceremony joined by her three predecessors Shami Chakrabarti CBE, Jon Snow and Baroness Helena Kennedy QC. In 2017 Katherine was appointed chair of UK Sport, when she was also awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Aberdeen.Katherine excels when talking of teamwork, overcoming challenges, motivation, winning and the importance of communication. She tailors her talks to the occasion and takes any requirements needed for her clients into careful consideration.
MBE
Katherine was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2006 Birthday Honours, Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2013 New Year Honours for services to rowing and Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the 2017 New Year Honours for services to sport and charity.
Dame Katherine Grainger has delivered many talks for clients which include:
• Bank of New York Mellon• Bank of Scotland• Lloyds TSB Bank• Energiser• Royal Bank of Scotland• The Financial Times & The Sunday Times• Goldman Sachs• Coca-Cola• BT• Dame Kelly Holmes Foundation• THe Royal Society of Edinburgh• Hospitality Scotland – HIT Scotland Conference• England Women’s Football Team• English Golf Union• Saracens Rugby Club
Table of Contents
Additional information
| Location | |
|---|---|
| Expertise | Awards Host, Motivational Speaker, Olympic Champion, Sports Speaker |
Dewberry Redpoint Ltd –
Without exception, all of the delegates I spoke to really enjoyed the conference, especially because of the speakers, the quality of their presentations, the depth of knowledge and the expert insights they shared. In particular, your insights into what was actually involved in your preparations and how you dealt with all the challenges you faced along the way was both fascinating and inspiring. It was truly inspiring!
Anne Sutherland Quality Scotland –
Katherine Grainger was fantastic – what a lovely person she is! She honestly couldn’t have been any better and I really enjoyed my time with her.
Sir J P Arbuthnott MRIA PRSE FMedSci President, The Royal Society of Edinburgh –
Katherine is an excellent speaker, a true ambassador for sport and a role model – not just for young people but for all. Sir J P Arbuthnott MRIA PRSE FMedSci President, The Royal Society of Edinburgh
Scope –
Katherine Grainger was an enthralling speaker and all our guests were talking about how fantastic she was