Matthew Pinsent began rowing at Eton College, later teaming up with Sir Steve Redgrave as a last-minute substitute due to Simon Berrisford picking up an injury. The pair went on to win a World Championship Bronze. They then became World Champions in 1991 and Olympic Champions in 1992.
After the Olympics, Matt returned to his studies at Oxford and rowed in the Boat Race as well as winning more World titles. A wonderful after-dinner speaker, Matthew has experienced sport at an elite level, allowing him to recount a plethora of anecdotal tales of his time in the limelight. The pair retained their Olympic title in 1996 and then transferred to a four at which they won World Championship titles in 1997, 1998 and 1999 before taking Olympic golds in 2000 and 2004.
Matthew spends much of his spare time on Olympic business and working for the charity, Sparks. His varied career and extensive knowledge of peak competition make him an ideal Olympic speaker. Since Matthews’ retirement in 2004, he has also taken on a number of media and commercial sporting projects. As one of the BBC’s leading broadcasters for 2012, Matthew fronted the World Olympic Dreams TV series, following 26 international athletes on their journeys from around the world to the London games.
Matthews’ experience as a highly successful Olympic speaker has translated well into his extremely authoritative and accomplished after-dinner and keynote speeches. His inspirational delivery of speeches can be tailored to any client’s briefs, with a focus on teamwork and communication that is an elemental part of any athlete’s life. The team dynamics of a rowing crew translate perfectly into a business environment as a sports speaker, the dedication and drive Matthew encountered is the aspiration of any firm.
Already having been appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire in 1993, Matthew was raised to Commander (CBE) in 2001. Equally adept as a sports speaker or conference facilitator and event host, Matthew interacts fantastically with an audience with humour and charm whilst ensuring your event runs on time and to plan.
