One of Britain’s greatest rowers of all time, Greg Searle is a successful motivational business speaker who draws upon his experience of elite performance as an Olympic Gold Medalist. Greg developed a love of rowing at Hampton School in Middlesex. Inspired by his brother, Jonny, who won the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta and by Martin Cross claiming the Gold at the LA Olympics in 1984, Greg took up the sport in 1985 rowing for the school until 1990 when he moved to Molesey Boat Club and straight into the GB team.
Together with his brother Jonny, The Searle Brothers famously won a Gold Medal in the Coxed Pair at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. They fought an epic race as they faced fierce opposition from the Italian Abbagnale brothers. With just 250 metres to go, the brothers surged past the Italians in one of the most exciting and memorable finishes in an Olympic rowing event. During subsequent World Championships, Greg amassed a total of 5 World Rowing Championship medals and became Bronze Medalist in the Coxless Four at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics
After retiring from rowing in 2000 and during his 9 year break from the sport, Greg took to sailing, taking part in the America's Cup Challenger Series as a grinder - powering the winches that are used to hoist and trim sails on a boat, he kept fit by taking part in the London Marathon and London Triathlon, reaching the final of the BBC's Superstars series. Greg had two children and became a director of Lane 4, a company established by the former Olympic swimming champion Adrian Moorehouse that imparts lessons learned in sport to the business community. But much to the delight of British rowing fans, the draw of a home Olympic games proved too much to resist for the 40 year old, who came out of international retirement in 2009.
Drawing on his strength, determination and single mindedness Greg competed in the London 2012 Olympics, winning a bronze medal with the rowing men’s eight on home soil. His literary account of his quest, ‘If Not Now, When?’ was published in e-book form only 15 days after his incredible return to Olympics. In recognition of his achievements, Greg became one of the youngest recipients of an MBE aged 20, announced in the 1993 honours list. Greg is a fantastic, experienced speaker with a relaxed, humorous and engaging speaking style. His sporting analogies following his return to rowing for the London 2012 Olympics, after a twenty year break, provide thought provoking and relevant business messages.
How to hire Greg Searle
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Greg Searle for your next event, today. To get in touch, simply call an official booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
** We do not accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, birthday messages or any other non-commercial contact with the speakers or acts. Each speaker on the website may not have necessarily worked with Champions in the past but are known to perform such engagements within the industry.
FEEDBACK FROM VIRTUAL EVENTS & WEBINARS:
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Greg attended many virtual events, booked as the exciting guest speaker. Read the feedback he has received below.
"The session today went really well, Greg made a lasting impact on the audience! Fantastic ending to our day today!!" - Nadine, La Prairie Group
FEEDBACK FROM IN-PERSON EVENTS:
Greg is regularly booked to engage audiences at in-person events, read his latest feedback below.
“Whilst your story in itself was inspiring, what was equally impressive and much appreciated was the effort you put in to adapt it and personalise it to suit our language, challenges and situation. Without exception, every person I have spoken to so far was impressed, inspired and energised.” - Tesco
"Thank you so much for helping to make our retreat exactly what we had in mind. By generously sharing your wisdom, insights and experience with us, you gave the people of the whole department a fresh perspective on how we can approach the vital work we do every day. You engaged and inspired each of us, to be even more effective in advancing the GAVI mission, while preserving our own wellbeing and capacity to excel. Well done!" - Managing Director, Finance and Operations, GAVI Alliance
“Everyone is still buzzing from Greg’s inspirational session” - Home Improvement Company
“Thank you so much for a really brilliant session we all enjoyed it so much and the positive feedback is still coming in. A couple of times yesterday when I was talking to colleagues about decisions that had to be made fairly quickly they quoted some of your advice and that was good to hear and to know that your session has promoted some thinking amongst them. We could have listened to you for a lot longer but time is of course always the enemy. Wishing you good luck in your future pursuits and many thanks again.” - NHS Foundation Trust
"I wanted to pass on my thanks for your excellent presentation at Leeds Castle on Tuesday 11th March" - HSBC
