Born and educated in Oxfordshire, at Shiplake College, Henley-on-Thames, Ben cultivated a passion for sport and competition from a young age. In 1992, at the Barcelona games, Ben made his international debut to the world of sports, returning again in 1996 for the Atlanta games. From the moment he hit the water, Ben’s potential set him apart from his competition.
Featuring at the Olympics, Ben brought home gold at the Sydney Summer Olympics in 2000, competing in the Men’s VIII alongside the British rowing team. Together, the team became the first to have won the competitive event, since 1912. Prior to this achievement, in 1998, the team had to address their string of 7th place defeats, and improve their performance.
Referenced in his public speeches, Ben’s critical and calculated approach to his team took them from strength to strength, focusing on their teamwork and peak performance skills. In doing so, the GB team learnt valuable skills to secure their gold at the Sydney Olympics. Ben’s motivational speeches are practical and inspirational in equal measure, thanks to his tried and tested first-hand methods.
After retiring from the sport, Ben used his story to influence others. As a keynote speaker, performance coach and founder of the leadership company, Will It Make The Boat Go Faster? Ltd alongside Tom Barry, he is renowned for his commitment to personal development. Alongside his company, Ben even published a book of the same name with Harriet Beveridges, to ensure that his tips and tricks were accessible and affordable.
In 2011, Ben joined the World Rowing Junior Championships as their Chairman, before joining the Organising Committee for the 2013 World Rowing Cup at Eton Dorney, again, as a Chairman. As a testament to his years of sporting experience, he was chosen to feature as a crew member on the Gloriana, a boat that rowed the Olympic Torch all the way from Hampton Court Palace to Westminster Bridge.
Learn the secrets to gold medal success in Ben Hunt Davis's exclusive Q&A.
