Kate Richardson-Walsh OBE, who led Great Britain’s gold-medal-winning hockey team at the Rio Olympics, has been announced as the final Keynote Speaker at the BMF Annual Members Conference and Awards in September.

Kate Richardson-Walsh was a member of the Great Britain and England hockey teams for over 15 years, competing in four Commonwealth Games, four World Cups, and four Olympics, and captaining the squad for much of that time. 

The GB team won the bronze medal at the London 2012 Olympics. Two years later, it had slumped to 11th in the world. As captain, Richardson-Walsh was a vital member of the leadership group that turned the team around, instilling the will to win, and helping to create the team spirit that saw them emerge victorious from the Rio 2016 Olympic final, which had the nation on the edge of its seats.

In her intervention at the conference, sponsored by IOBM, Richardson-Walsh will examine how the team went from despair to beating the best in the world, consider what a winning culture means, and reflect on the role of the leader in maintaining morale, unity and belief.

John Newcomb, CEO of the BMF, said: "Kate’s extraordinary leadership journey—from Olympic bronze to gold—offers invaluable insights into building resilience, fostering teamwork, and cultivating a winning mindset. Her experience promises to inspire our members as we look to the future."