Mark Foster – Keynote Speaker

Since Mark Foster burst onto the International swimming scene, at the age of 16, representing England at the 1986 Commonwealth Games, he has gone on to represent his country and is the most decorated male swimmer.

Throughout his impressive three decade career he has won 47 international medals; competed in 5 Olympics, been 8 times Commonwealth champion, 10 times European champion and 8 times World record holder. He was also chosen as the flag bearer to lead out Team GB at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics. He is passionate about encouraging people, especially children, to learn to swim and to be active.

Mark has regularly appeared on BBC TV regional news and local radio in his role of Ambassador of Pools 4 Schools, a programme run by Total Swimming with the Amateur Swimming Association to increase participation in swimming amongst primary school children.

Out of the pool, Mark has become a familiar face on television, most recently co-hosting the London 2012 Olympic swimming with Clare Balding. He has also appeared on Countdown, ITV1’s ‘Beat the Stars’, Come dine with Me and most famously for hitting the dance floor in ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ on BBC1. In addition, Mark has also appeared on the Channel 5 series Superstars and in 2012 he was a panelist on the Sport Relief special of ITV2’s show Celebrity Juice. Mark is also a brand ambassador for “Wellman” nutritional products.

Since retiring from International Swimming in 2008, Mark has created a successful motivational speaking career. Mark is now one of the most popular motivational speakers on the circuit with the ability to talk to a variety of audiences about his 20 year career at the top.

Mark supports various charities and is a patron of The Anaphylaxis Campaign, the UK charity for people with severe allergies.