Throughout his impressive three decade career Mark has won 47 international medals; competed in 5 Olympics, been 8 times Commonwealth champion, 10 times European champion and 8 times World record holder. He was also chosen as the flag bearer to lead out Team GB at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics

He is passionate about encouraging people, especially children, to learn to swim and to be active.

Out of the pool, Mark has become a familiar face on television, including appearances on ITV1’s ‘Beat the Stars’, Five’s ‘Superstars’ and most famously hitting the dance floor in last year’s ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ on BBC1.

He also regularly works as a model including recent campaigns for La Redoute and Braun, has just begun work as a popular motivational speaker and has just launched ‘Dancing on Wheels’, a new TV show for BBC 3.

Motivational / After Dinner Speaking

Audiences will learn through his speech, Reach for the Stars, how Mark’s father’s fear of water pushed him to learn to swim, how he almost spent his career filing in a council office and the truth behind that string top on Strictly Come Dancing.

Business lessons include:
• Reach for the stars and be the best that you can be
• Setting achievable goals
• Learning from mistakes and dealing with setbacks
• Learning how to manage your responses to events beyond your control and turning them around to your advantage
• An insight into the World’s biggest Sporting event – The Olympic Games
• Working outside of your comfort zone
• Partnerships and team work – recognising that you can’t do it alone
and nurturing strengths and weaknesses in a team environment

Background at a glance
Born in Billericay, Essex on 12 May 1970
Educated at Millfield
5 times Olympian
6 times Commonwealth Champion
10 times European Champion
8 Times World Record Holder
Current British Record Holder

Testimonials:
“Mark helped us launch our campaign to cut Britain’s hot water usage and was an inspiring and engaging speaker. He was very easy to work with and went the extra mile to make sure that he completely understood the campaign before the speech on the day and by using the products in his home. He made sure that all of our key messages were included in an entertaining and inter-active speech. We have no hesitation in recommending him and would love to work with him again in the future.”
Emma Healey, Energy Saving Trust
“Mark spoke at our annual conference in 2009 and was a huge hit. He managed to combine inspirational messages with funny moments from Strictly and great interaction with the audience.”
Emma Bradley, Education and Special Projects Ltd

Since Mark burst onto the International swimming scene, at the age of 16, representing England at the 1986 Commonwealth Games, he has gone on to represent his country more times and been decorated more than any other male swimmer.