Sir Dave Brailsford is the highly respected former Performance Director of British Cycling, and an authority on marginal gains. The popular speaker is credited for Great Britain’s recent domination of the cycling track, thanks to his valuable marginal gains philosophy and influence as a sporting coach. Since shifting from consultancy to coaching, he has built an international reputation for transforming struggling sports teams into formidable vehicles for success, using his tried and tested approach. As a speaker, Dave employs the same techniques to inspire greatness in corporate teams, teaching them the power of marginal gains on their journey to success. Dave’s transformative speeches and corporate workshops are renowned on the speaking circuit.
Following an early career as a consultant to British Cycling in 1998, Dave was appointed Performance Director in 2003, a testament to his sporting influence. It was with British Cycling that Dave coined his revolutionary philosophy, marginal gains. The concept proposes that with 1% improvements over time, athletes and business professionals alike will see a significant increase in performance, and therefore results. Dave constantly measured and monitored his athletes, tailoring their training to specific areas of improvement. By combining physical, strategic, psychological and holistic factors of training, he was able to provide a comprehensive training programme for athletes, bespoke to their needs.
From business to education, the marginal gains philosophy has become the guidebook of success. This is significantly evident at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, where gave their best performance since 1908. A testament to Dave’s approach, the cyclists earned two gold medals, and went onto dominate World Championships in several disciplines, winning a whopping 59 times between 2003 and 2013. In the following Olympic games, the 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Olympics, Dave’s team earned eight medals, increasing their dominance even further. When booked for events, Dave retells his story of unprecedented influence, teaching audiences the secrets to long term, sustainable success.
Following a role as manager of Team Sky, later being named Team Ineos, Dave secured victory after victory for his formidable team; which included Bradley Wiggins, Chris Froome and Geraint Thomas. In celebration of his incredible influence on the sport as a whole, Dave was appointed MBE, CBE and later knighted in 2012 following the London Olympic and Paralympic Games. He was also awarded the 2008 and 2012 BBC Sports Personality of the Year's Coach Award, inducted into the British Cycling Hall of Fame in 2016 and received two honorary doctorates, from the University of Chester and Sheffield Hallam University. An award-winner speaker like Dave is sure to resonate with guests. Having cracked the code for peak performance, his marginal gains philosophy will transform your workplace or sports team into a winning machine.
How to hire Sir Dave Brailsford
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Sir Dave Brailsford 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.
Dave's official speaking topics are listed below.
Marginal Gains – Otherwise known as the 1% Factor, Dave’s philosophy has revolutionised the strategies of sporting teams and businesses alike. By focusing on and valuing the importance of small achievements, he teaches corporate audiences how to set realistic, yet challenging, goals, then provides them with a toolbox for achieving them. Marginal gains has the power to transform a business’ performance.
British Cycling – With such a unique insight into British cycling, Dave’s anecdotes from the forefront of elite sport ensures an unforgettable event. He invites audiences into the action, providing star-studded stories that both thrill, excite and educates. Guests come away enlightened to the mysterious inner-working of the prestigious sporting team, from the perspective of their most valued leader.
High-Performance Teams – Dave has nurtured high-performance sporting teams throughout his career. Such an insight makes him the perfect after dinner and keynote speaker, booked to transform struggling businesses into thriving forces to contend with. Through communication, peak performance and valuing marginal gains, audiences learn how to nurture the talented pillars of their workforce.
Leadership – With leadership, sporting and corporate teams alike have direction, focus and a common goal. Dave connects with managers, teaching them how to support their team over personal and professional hurdles, while ensuring that they always exceed their potential. By improving the standard of leadership in a business, teamwork and performance is sure to follow.
Personal Development – Dave’s philosophy is founded in personal development. His speeches, workshops and Q&As are centered around strategies for self-improvement through marginal gains, as well as psychological and physical support. Audiences come away from Dave’s speeches firmly set on a journey to better themselves.
"David was excellent." - Association of Convenience Stores
