Speaker Profile

Britain's most successful female kayaker, Anna Hemmings is a two time Olympian who also won the world title an impressive six times.

Anna began kayaking as a young girl at the Elmbridge Canoe Club in Weybridge, Surrey. Little did she realise that this would lead on to a glittering career that would see her win a remarkable number of events. At the age of twenty she won her first European Championship and just two years later she became World Champion in marathon kayak racing.

Anna made the decision to switch disciplines from marathon to sprint in order to achieve her lifelong dream of becoming an Olympian. She fulfilled this ambition when she went on to compete in both the Sydney and Beijing Olympic Games.

In recognition of her achievements, Anna was awarded the MBE in the 2010 New Year’s honours list for services to sport.

Anna's life has not been without its struggles. Like many people she has had to overcome adversity. In 2003 she was diagnosed with the debilitating condition chronic fatigue syndrome and was told that she might never race again. Anna suffered with this illness for two years, but thankfully she went on to make a full recovery and was able to return to training and racing.

Anna is an accomplished after dinner speaker who inspires and entertains. Her story of how she overcame adversity gives people the strength to believe that they achieve their goals in life.