Jeanette Kwakye MBE is a former international sprinter, five-time British Champion, and an Olympian who has successfully transitioned into one of the UK’s most respected and versatile sports broadcasters. In 2008, Jeanette made history by becoming the first British woman in 24 years to reach the Olympic 100m final, finishing sixth in Beijing with a personal best of 11.14 seconds. That performance cemented her place in British athletics history, with Jeanette remaining the only British athlete—male or female—to have reached the 100m Olympic final since. After an impressive athletics career, which also included a silver medal at the 2008 IAAF World Indoor Championships and multiple British titles over 100m and 200m, Jeanette retired from elite competition in 2014 due to injury and quickly established herself as a prominent voice in sports media.
Jeanette has become a familiar face and voice across BBC Sport, BBC Radio 5 Live, Channel 5, and Sky Sports, covering major events such as the World Athletics Championships, Women’s Super League, and Channel 5’s Boxing coverage, where she made history as the first Black female presenter to front a boxing broadcast on terrestrial TV. Most recently, Jeanette was part of the BBC’s flagship coverage of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, co-anchoring the morning show alongside JJ Chalmers. She also co-hosts The Martin Lewis Money Show Live on ITV, bringing her dynamic presenting style and insight to over four million weekly viewers. In November 2024, Jeanette expanded her broadcasting presence, becoming the co-host of BBC Radio 5 Live’s Weekend Breakfast show.
In addition to her broadcasting career, Jeanette is the co-founder of The Balley Consultancy, a creative consultancy dedicated to challenging the entertainment, sports, and music industries to put authentic representation at their core. She is also a published author, having self-published the children’s book 'Femi the Fox' in 2017, and a contributor to A New Formation: How Black Footballers Shaped the Modern Game, offering important perspectives on race and representation in sport. Jeanette’s work off-screen includes mentoring through the Youth Sport Trust’s Sky Sports Living for Sport program, empowering young people through the power of sport.
Jeanette’s unique journey from Olympic sprinter to high-profile media personality makes her an inspirational speaker for audiences of all kinds. She frequently speaks on topics including diversity and inclusion in sport and media, the importance of self-belief and resilience, and leadership through discipline and focus. Her story is a testament to hard work, perseverance, and breaking barriers, making Jeanette the perfect choice for events seeking to inspire, educate, and engage. Book Jeanette Kwakye MBE today to bring her remarkable energy and expertise to your next event.
- 2024 – Co-anchored BBC’s flagship morning coverage of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games alongside JJ Chalmers
- 2024 – Became co-host of BBC Radio 5 Live’s Weekend Breakfast show
- 2023 – Became co-host of The Martin Lewis Money Show Live on ITV, reaching over four million weekly viewers
- 2021 – Appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to sport and sports broadcasting in the Queen’s Birthday Honours
- 2020 – Made history as the first Black female presenter to front terrestrial TV boxing coverage on Channel 5
- 2017 – Self-published children’s book Femi the Fox, celebrating West African culture
- 2014 – Retired from elite athletics due to injury and transitioned into a full-time career in sports broadcasting
- 2008 – Finished sixth in the 100m final at the Beijing Olympic Games, becoming the first British woman in 24 years to reach the final, with a personal best of 11.14 seconds
- 2008 – Won silver in the 60m at the IAAF World Indoor Championships
- 2007 – Became British Champion over 100m and 200m (one of multiple national titles during her career)
- 2001 – European Junior 100m Champion
How to hire Jeanette Kwakye
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Jeanette Kwakye 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.
