Pete Reed

Pete Reed OBE is a respected former British rower, best known for securing three gold medals at three consecutive Olympic Games. Having developed a remarkably successful career, Pete’s expansive experience as both a professional rower and serving in the Royal Navy is admired by audiences of all ages and backgrounds. After suffering a life-changing spinal stroke in 2019, Pete utilised his military and Olympic training to achieve the best possible outcome from his changed circumstances. Passionate to speak openly about his unique insight into overcoming adversity and trauma, Pete has become a popular keynote speaker to attend a wide range of events.

Beginning his professional career by serving in the Royal Navy in 1999, Pete did not discover his passion for rowing until he used an ergometer during his training and posted the fastest time in the Royal Navy’s annual fitness competition. Officially taking up rowing during his second year of university, he was selected to become the Boat Club President in 2003 and won his first race at the University of Oxford the following year. Respected for his commitment to the sport, Pete and his Oxford stroke man won GB senior pairs trials, and together they won every year from 2005 to 2012. Alongside this, he was also selected to be part of the Great Britain Coxless Four, a team which went unbeaten for 27 consecutive races until Lucerne 2007.

A leading authority in his field, Pete continued to build upon his remarkable success for many years before announcing his retirement from professional rowing in 2018. Shortly after stepping away from the spotlight, Pete suffered a spinal stroke causing paralysis below his chest. Passionate to utilise his military and Olympic training to achieve the best possible outcome for his changed circumstances, he is now devoting his career to supporting the disabled community in areas such as mental resilience and overcoming adversity.

An inspiration to audiences globally, Pete Reed OBE is now highly sought-after to attend a wide range of speaking engagements. In recognition of his illustrious career, Pete was awarded an MBE in the 2007 News Years Honours, and was later the proud recipient of an OBE in 2017 in recognition of his services to rowing. As an expert in a wide range of fields, from military to motivation, Pete’s unique insights are treasured by audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Whether you are looking to motivate your workforce or inspire a change in mindset within your team, Pete may be the perfect speaker to hire for your upcoming events.

In March 2024 we sat down virtually with Pete Reed and discussed how companies can learn overcoming adversity from his story of suffering a life-changing spinal stroke in 2019 which left him paralysed from the chest down. Watch our Exclusive Interview with Pete Reed.