Top 15 Speakers on Teamwork and Collaboration

Whether you are a startup company trying to disrupt an industry or a multinational corporation aiming to innovate, the power of collaboration is what drives success.

Our Teamwork Speakers are professionals who have not only championed the cause of teamwork in their respective fields, but also inspired others to harness its full potential.

They hail from the world of sports, business, entertainment, and more, and they have collaborated, faced challenges head-on, and emerged victorious through the power of teamwork. Organisations can immensely benefit from their stories, learning how to foster a culture of collaboration, overcome obstacles as a united force, and drive towards shared goals.

Here are 15 of our Teamwork Speakers and Experts on Collaboration

Kate Richardson-Walsh

An Olympic Gold and Bronze Medal-winning English field hockey player, Kate’s leadership in the sport is a testament to the power of teamwork. Her resilience during the 2012 Summer Olympics, where she returned from a broken jaw to lead her team to a bronze medal, showcases her commitment to her team and the sport.

Dame Katherine Grainger

Hailing from Scotland, Dame Katherine is a former rower and the current Chair of UK Sport. With a gold medal from the 2012 Summer Olympics and four Olympic silver medals to her name, she’s a beacon of dedication, collaboration, and teamwork. Her journey from winning silver at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 to clinching gold in London 2012 with Anna Watkins in double sculls underscores the essence of perseverance and teamwork.

Sir Ranulph Fiennes

Sir Ranulph Fiennes is a British explorer and holder of several endurance records. He is also a prolific writer and poet. Fiennes served in the British Army for eight years. He later undertook numerous expeditions and was the first person to visit both the North and South Poles by surface means and the first to completely cross Antarctica on foot. He even climbed to the summit of Mount Everest in May 2009, at the age of 65, showcasing remarkable feats of adventure and endurance.

Ranulph, a notable teamwork speaker, also made it into the record books by completing seven marathons on seven continents in seven days – incredibly, he did this not long after receiving emergency heart surgery.

Lord Seb Coe

Lord Sebastian Coe is a prominent figure in both the world of athletics and politics. As a middle-distance runner, Coe won four Olympic medals, including gold in the 1500 metres at both the 1980 and 1984 Olympic Games.

Coe played a pivotal role in bringing the 2012 Summer Olympics to London. Initially an ambassador for the bid, he later became the chairman of the bid company. His leadership and presentation skills were instrumental in securing the Olympics for London against stiff competition from cities like Paris and Madrid.

From his athletic achievements to his roles in sports administration and politics, Lord Sebastian Coe’s career is a testament to his leadership abilities and his capacity to work effectively in teams. Whether on the track or in the boardroom, Coe has consistently demonstrated the qualities of a true leader and team player.

Gareth Southgate

Southgate is an English professional football manager and former player. He played both as a defender and midfielder during his football career, and has also been the manager of the England national team since 2016.

Under his leadership, the England men’s team reached the semi-finals of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, becoming only the third ever manager to achieve this feat for England. At UEFA Euro 2020, Gareth led England to the finals, which was the first time England have reached a European Championship final.

Available for Q&A sessions, Gareth Southgate is an inspirational voice behind how to get teams to communicate and remain hungry for success even in the face of defeats.

Denise Lewis OBE

Denise Lewis is a former heptathlete and one of the most successful faces of British sport. She won the gold medal in the heptathlon at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

While the heptathlon is an individual event, athletes often train in groups and rely on their coaches, physiotherapists, and other support staff to achieve their best. They also represent their country in international competitions, working with teammates in relay events or team-based competitions.

Teamwork has played a crucial role throughout Denise’s athletic and broadcasting careers. Whether training with fellow athletes, collaborating with her support team, or working with co-hosts and producers, Denise’s experiences underscore the importance of collaboration and mutual support.

Helen Sharman

Helen Sharman is recognised as the first British person to venture into space. Helen was selected for the historic Project Juno after responding to a radio advertisement before undergoing intensive training to prepare for spaceflight. The success of any space mission depends on the seamless collaboration between astronauts, ground crew, scientists, and countless other professionals.

The Project Juno mission itself was a testament to international collaboration, bringing together British and Soviet expertise and aiming to strengthen ties between the two nations in the final years of the Cold War.

Helen Sharman’s journey from a chemist in Sheffield to a cosmonaut in space is a shining example of how determination, collaboration, and teamwork can help achieve the seemingly impossible.

Peter Crouch

Peter James Crouch, an iconic figure in English football, stands tall not just for his height but for his remarkable ability to foster teamwork on the pitch.

He appeared at two FIFA World Cup tournaments for England, and Crouch is one of 33 players to have scored 100 or more Premier League goals; he even holds the record for the most headed goals in Premier League history.

Throughout his illustrious career, Crouch played for a variety of clubs, each with its unique playing style and team dynamics. His adaptability to seamlessly fit into these varied setups underscores his profound understanding of teamwork and collaboration.

Christopher Lemons

Christopher Lemons is a testament to the power of teamwork, leadership, and resilience. Working in one of the most challenging environments on Earth, the ocean floors, Chris’s experiences provide invaluable insights into the importance of collaboration, preparation, and mental fortitude.

Chris’s work, and his miraculous survival, are deeply rooted in the strength of teamwork. Whether it’s the three-man unit diving into the depths or the vast crew supporting them from the vessel and ashore, their successes and failures hinge on their ability to work cohesively. Saturation diving is a global enterprise, bringing together individuals from diverse ethnic, cultural, and educational backgrounds. Chris emphasises how these diverse teams, when managed effectively, can achieve singular goals. His survival story underscores the importance of cohesive teamwork, as the crew onboard the vessel united to rescue him from an almost impossible situation.

Dudley ‘Tal’ Stokes

Dudley ‘Tal’ Stokes is best known as the captain of the first Jamaican bobsled team that competed in the 1988 Winter Olympics. This remarkable journey of a team from a tropical country participating in a winter sport captured the world’s imagination and later inspired the popular film “Cool Runnings.”

The very idea of a bobsled team from Jamaica was unconventional. Stokes and his teammates had to rely heavily on teamwork, trust, and mutual support to navigate the challenges of a sport unfamiliar to them and their country. The Jamaican bobsled team faced skepticism and doubt from many quarters. Their unity and shared vision were crucial in overcoming these external challenges and staying focused on their goals.

Ice Maidens

Sandy Hennis and Sophie Montagne, known as the Ice Maidens, were integral members of the first all-female team to ski coast-to-coast across Antarctica using only muscle power. This formidable team of six women covered a staggering 1,704km, braved temperatures plummeting to -56C, and managed to complete their journey 14 days ahead of schedule, setting three new world records in the process.

However, the essence of the Ice Maidens’ expedition transcended racing or records. It wasn’t about reaching the South Pole or fulfilling a personal dream. Instead, it was a profound testament to teamwork. Throughout their journey, they faced Antarctic storms, debilitating sickness, extreme exhaustion, and the ever-looming threat of crevasses. Yet, their unwavering commitment to one another ensured that every member reached the finish line. Their expedition was a celebration of collective strength, resilience, and interdependence.

Drawing from their Antarctic experiences, Sandy and Sophie have ventured into the corporate sector, offering fresh perspectives and insights. Sandy’s military expertise, combined with Sophie’s decade-long experience in the corporate realm, allows them to extract lessons from their adventures and make them relevant to everyday professional and personal challenges.

Jamil Qureshi

Jamil Qureshi is one of the foremost practitioners of performance-enhancing psychology and an expert in high-performing teams. His insights and methodologies are not just confined to the theoretical but are rooted in practical application, which has led to transformative results.

Jamil has enjoyed working with a huge mix of the most talented business and sports people and teams across the world, helping six individuals get to World Number 1 status. His insights into teamwork, collaboration and collective mindset are unparalleled.

John Barnes

John Barnes is a former professional football player and manager. He is often regarded as one of the greatest English players of all time. After hanging up his football boots, John now works as a commentator and pundit for ESPN and SuperSport.

John claims that teamwork is the most important aspect of his sporting career. His presentations show how this shaped his career both on and off the pitch.

Anna Watkins

Anna Watkins is a name that resonates with resilience, determination, and unparalleled teamwork. Together with her partner, Elise Laverick, Anna clinched a bronze medal at the World Championships and the Beijing Olympics in 2008, a commendable feat especially considering the challenges she faced that season, including a bout with glandular fever.

However, it was her partnership with the renowned rower, Katherine Grainger, that truly captured the world’s attention. The duo won two World Championships together and entered the London 2012 Olympics with immense pressure. Katherine, having previously secured three silver medals but never a gold, was nearing the end of her professional career. Against all odds, Anna and Katherine not only clinched the gold medal but also set a new Olympic record, etching their names in Olympic history.

Beyond her athletic prowess, Anna’s academic achievements are equally impressive. She holds a Cambridge degree in Natural Sciences and a PhD in Mathematics. This unique blend of sports and academics offers Anna a multifaceted perspective on leadership, teamwork, and peak performance.

To enquire about any of our Teamwork Speakers, get in touch today on +44(0)1332 810481 or email enquiries@thespeakersagency.com and one of our experienced booking agents will be happy to help.