Category defying politician with a background in elite sport who specializes in technology and talent, inclusion, and innovation.
Chris is a popular public speaker who can deliver thought-provoking and inspirational speeches on being human in a digital age. With significant expertise on topics ranging from AI to D&I, a record breaking number of Paralympic gold medals and a truly inspirational life story Chris is a gifted communicator with extensive experience of public speaking in the UK and abroad. His repertoire includes keynotes, after dinner speeches, conference and panel session chairing and interview or fireside chats .
Paralympic Legend
Chris speaks powerfully about his incredible Paralympic achievements, both as Britain’s greatest Paralympic swimmer and Director at London 2012.
Chris is Britain’s most successful swimmer, winning a total of 9 gold, 5 silvers and 1 bronze medal, a string of World and European titles and 35 world records. He was a member of the GB Swim team for 17 years and Captain for 5.
As Director at London 2012, Chris drew on political skills, strategic know-how and his incredible determination to deliver another record-breaking list of firsts: the first games to have all sponsors signed to both Olympics and Paralympics, the first games to sell out all the stadia for every session and the first games to achieve worldwide television audiences in the hundreds of millions.
Diversity and Inclusion
Chris lost his sight at the age of 14 and says “one of the most challenging aspects was the fact that people immediately stopped seeing me”. The attitudes of those around him became everything. Practical challenges can be solved with practical solutions but access to practical solutions and the willingness of people to consider, or provide, these solutions can be the difference between access, inclusion and opportunity or an insurmountable barrier. Chris’s life experience shows any audience that no matter the obstacle, anything is possible and he communicates this powerful message with incredible warmth, humour and humility.
Chris has over 20 years of boardroom experience including terms at the Equality and Human Rights Commission, the Pensions Client Board, UK Sport, the Disability Rights Commission and, currently, Channel 4, where he is Deputy Chair. He has an outstanding ability to deliver commercial results whilst inspiring all members of the team from board level throughout the organisation. His focus is on empowering people to do their best work in an inclusive, diverse environment, deploying data and insights to the full. New ideas are encouraged, doing things differently, ‘data upskilling’, experimenting, learning fast, and consistently delivering creative and commercial success.
Digital Technology for Public Good
In and out of Parliament Chris’s policy focus is on digital technology: innovation, ethical deployment and effective regulation. Chris writes regularly on technology, financial services, fintech and regulation for several national publications. Chris also advises several technology and open banking firms.
Chris is responsible for the Artificial Intelligence (Regulation) Bill currently awaiting second reading in the House of Lords. He was a member of the House of Lords Select Committee on artificial intelligence (AI) and has brought this expertise into all aspects of his work including helping organisations address how artificial intelligence is being used in the boardroom and thinking deeply about effective governance, ethical implications and ensuring we are making the most of the incredible potential of this game-changing technology.
Chris has been at the forefront of thinking about DLT/blockchain applications since his influential 2017 report, ‘DLT for public good: leadership, collaboration and innovation.” He played a central role in getting the groundbreaking Electronic Trade Documents Act passed into law and argues this development – effectively removing a legal barrier to digitizing trade documents and permitting ‘reliable systems’ with certain criteria that can be satisfied by blockchain solutions – should unlock innovation and mass adoption of DLT.
Testimonials
Fantastic motivational speaker, I left feeling positive and energized.
An excellent session, Lord Holmes was very inspiring and an engaging speaker.
Witty and on point. We were delighted that he could speak at our event.