MTC

Alex is the most medaled athlete of the current GB rowing squad.  In 2010, he was recognised as the British Olympic Athlete of the year in rowing for his continuing contribution to excellence in the sport.

Alex's interest in rowing dates back to 1996 when he took up the sport as a complement to rugby, his preferred sport at that time.  He immediately enjoyed it, and quickly progressed through its ranks, representing Great Britain in the coxed pair at the 1998 World Junior Championships, in which he won a bronze medal.

Declining an opportunity to participate in the Bath Rugby development program, Alex pursued his growing love of rowing further. Alex made his mark at a senior level in 2000, winning a gold medal in the coxed four at the World U23 Championships. He won the silver medal in the coxless fours a year later, and this crew proceeded to the senior World Championships in Lucerne, winning the bronze medal. In 2002, Alex raced in the eight - finishing 6th at the World Championships. The following year, the eight improved on their performance, winning a bronze medal.

Alex began 2004 by winning the GB Rowing Senior Selection Trials in the pair with Andrew Triggs Hodge. This lead to him gaining a place in the men's four with Pinsent, Cracknell and Williams.

However, after suffering cracked ribs, which lead to a collapsed lung, Alex had to withdraw from the Athens Olympics. The crew went on to win an Olympic gold medal, naming their boat after Alex. After a period of recovery and intensive rehab, Alex was back on the water a year later and regained his place in the four. The crew won gold in the World Cups at Eton, Munich and Lucerne. The highlight of the season was taking gold in the World Championships in Japan.

Alex's success continued into 2006, with the four winning gold in all of the World Cup events in Munich, Poznan and Lucerne. The World Championships, held in front of a home crowd, brought more success with Alex winning the gold. The 2007 season proved to be disappointing, with the crew finishing 4th in the World Championships but only after having won all of the World Cups of the season, including one in the eight!

In August 2008, Alex won silver in the men's eight at the Beijing Olympic Games and in 2009 he returned to the men's four and won the World Cup series and gold at the World Championships in Poznan. For the 2010 World Cup Series Alex again raced in the men's four, taking gold in Bled, bronze in Munich and an exceptional gold medal in Lucerne. Following a shake-up in the men's team, Alex returned to the 8 to provide stability and much needed experience which proved crucial - the team finished the World Cup series with two silver's (Munich and Bled) and one bronze (Lucerne). With confidence high and now settled in the men's 8, Alex's sole focus is towards attaining further glory at London 2012.

Having experienced the highs and lows of professional sport, Alex has a compelling story to tell and is well versed in delivering motivating speeches within the corporate market.  His story will inspire others to strive for world class performance.  He brings his own experience to bear on the greater challenges of sustaining world class performance for the long term and overcoming adversity which may befall an individual or an organization. As the most experienced athlete in the men's rowing squad and athlete's representative for the men's team squad in for the last two years, Alex can provide his first-hand account of the systems which motivate high performance teams to excel.  He can also discuss the human side of leadership, and how to break down dreams into achievable goals.

Alex is also available for personal appearances, workshops, training days, and is an excellent brand ambassador having worked with, and appeared for, brands such as Camelot, Canterbury, Siemens, London Underground, Panasonic and Adidas.

When he has the time off the water Alex likes to play golf, ski, climb, cycle, and surf.  He is also currently pursuing an MBA, at the Henley Business School.

Alex is the most medaled athlete of the current GB rowing squad.  In 2010, he was recognised as the British Olympic Athlete of the year in rowing for his continuing contribution to excellence in the sport.

Style:

Confident and assertive, Alex delivers a presentation that is both warm and engaging 

Content:

Alex's story begins prior to the Athens Olympics in 2004 where, as one quarter of the marquee Men's Four boat alongside Matthew Pinsent and James Cracknell, he punctured a lung in a freak accident which caused him to miss the games. In a great show of team solidarity, the remaining members dedicated their Gold medal winning race to Alex, naming the boat in his honour.

Alex returned from this set back to gain selection in the Men's Eight at the Beijing Olympics in 2008 where he won Silver medal. Determined to go one better, Alex now has his sights firmly set on winning the Gold medal, now back in the Four that cruelly eluded him back in Athens.

Showing his audiences how negative experiences can be turned into a positive, Alex has an inspirational story to tell and is well versed in delivering motivating speeches within the corporate market, focusing on the key areas of overcoming adversity and working within a winning team; as well as dealing with disappointment before going on to achieve at a high level.

Alex focuses on the extreme highs and lows of professional sport, having tasted both throughout his career. With a flexible presentation, Alex is able to effectively translate this mixture of emotions in a manner which is both inspiring and motivating.

Key Points:

• Overcoming adversity
• Team work
• Dealing with disappointment before going on to achieve at a high level

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