Speaker Profile

Yorkshire born Adrian is a former competitive swimmer who specialised in the breaststroke. One of the country's best ever swimmers, he achieved a lifelong ambition when he won a gold medal in the 100m breaststroke at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. He spent twelve years at the top of his sport as an international level swimmer and was world number one for an impressive six consecutive years.

Adrian came to prominence during the early 1980s - in 1981 he won a bronze medal for the 200m breaststroke at the European Championships. This was followed by a gold in the 100m breaststroke and a bronze in the 200m breaststroke at the 1982 Commonwealth Games in Brisbane. 1983 saw him win a gold and a silver at the European Championships in Rome, and in the 1986 Commonwealth Games he took a silver medal in the 100m breaststroke and a gold in the 200m breaststroke. In 1987 he added another gold and a bronze at the European Championships.

1988 was to be Adrian's year. He started off well and confirmed his status as number one in the world by winning the 100m breaststroke at the US Indoor Championships. In September, at Seoul, he achieved his dream when he followed in the footsteps of legendary swimmers David Wilkie and Duncan Goodhew by taking Olympic gold in the 100m breaststroke.

Adrian remained world number one (collecting more medals along the way) until 1991, but retired not long after the Barcelona Olympic Games. Following his retirement he became Head of Talent Development for British Swimming. In more recent years he has enjoyed a successful career as a Management Consultant. He co-founded the successful company Lane4 in 1995, a management consultancy that works with many different organisations to help individuals and teams around the world reach their full potential.

Adrian's achievements have been recognised in a number of ways. In 1987 he was awarded an MBE for his services to swimming, and in 1988 he was runner up in the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year contest. He was an official Team GB Ambassador for London 2012 and also had the honour of being a torch bearer.

Adrian has also worked for the BBC as a swimming commentator.