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Keynote SpeakerHelen Richardson-Walsh

Olympic Gold Medalist, Former Great Britain and England Hockey Player

Helen Richardson-Walsh is a former Great Britain and England hockey player, Olympic gold medallist, author, and trainee sport psychologist. She began her international hockey career in 1999 at just 17 years old, making history the following year in Sydney as the youngest woman to represent GB hockey at an Olympic... Read more

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Popular Talks by Helen Richardson-Walsh

  • Winning Together: How to ‘win’ as people and teams.

    The power to be a consistently high performing team lies within you and all of your people. Helen shares how an empowered team driven culture with aligned vision, values and behaviours was key to the success of both individuals and the collective team. In a team where every person had…
  • The Inner Game: Mental Tools from Elite Sport.

    Having taken a penalty in an Olympic final to win gold, Helen knows exactly what it means to perform under extreme pressure. With compelling stories and evidence-based insights from sport psychology, Helen shares powerful mental strategies used by elite athletes and translates them into practical tools to help individuals and…
  • Belonging Drives Performance: The Power of Inclusion in High-Pressure Environments

    As one half of the first same-sex married couple to win Olympic gold, Helen shares her lived experience of inclusion at the highest level of sport. Speaking with authenticity, she explores how psychological safety and belonging unlock individual potential and team cohesion. By being able to bring her whole self…
  • Strong Enough to Struggle: Resilience and Well-being in High-Pressure Environments

    Helen has spoken openly about her struggles with mental health following career-threatening injuries, bringing a powerful authenticity to this keynote. Drawing on her own journey through recovery and elite performance, she explores how true resilience isn’t about just pushing through – but about acknowledging challenges, building healthy habits, and seeking…

Biography

Helen Richardson-Walsh is a former Great Britain and England hockey player, Olympic gold medallist, author, and trainee sport psychologist. She began her international hockey career in 1999 at just 17 years old, making history the following year in Sydney as the youngest woman to represent GB hockey at an Olympic Games. Over an impressive 18-year career, Helen competed in four Olympic Games, earning 293 caps and 19 medals, including Olympic bronze in London 2012, European gold in 2015, and ultimately, an Olympic gold medal in Rio 2016. Helen played a pivotal role in Rio, being one of only two players to score during a nail-biting penalty shootout in the final and earning recognition as one of the best in the world.

As a member of the senior leadership team for 11 years, Helen was instrumental in transforming the team from inconsistent performers to consistent medal contenders on the world stage. She attributes this success to the strong team culture that was built, which sparked her passion for understanding how the right environments can help people and teams flourish. This interest led her to pursue studies in Psychology, and with two Master’s degrees in Organisational and Sport Psychology, she now applies her experience and knowledge to help other teams and individuals thrive.

Helen, together with her wife Kate, made history as the first same sex married couple to win Olympic gold on the same team. In their book, Winning Together, they share powerful lessons from their journey with the Great Britain hockey team and offer tools to help others become their best selves and build better teams. Today, Helen works as a trainee sport psychologist within Olympic and professional teams and is a sought-after keynote speaker, focusing on topics she is passionate about, including culture, leadership, team dynamics, personal growth, mental health, diversity, and equality.

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What clients say about Helen Richardson-Walsh

"It was a real privilege to be in the audience for Kate and Helen's presentation. Their passion for sharing guidance on how to promote a united culture and to develop world-beating teams was palpable and infectious. The honest and open way they engaged with everyone in the auditorium, sharing both their strengths and their weaknesses, made their messages so much more powerful. It was an evening that will live long in the memory of everyone there."
"Helen is an inspiring speaker and shares her leadership story with integrity and humour. She is intelligent and engages the audience with her honest insights into resilience and how she returned to the team following a period of serious injury. Helen's reflections of her leadership role, working with the team to set the right behaviour is extremely inspiring and motivating."
“Helen was fantastic, she was engaged with the event MC, the staff, family and children on site for the entire duration of her time with us. It was a real pleasure to meet her”
“I have asked Helen to speak on a number of occasions about her experiences as an elite athlete. Each time she has tailored her speech to suit the audience, which has included children, parents, volunteers & PE students. She has the ability to engage her listeners instantly; she is always interesting and has a very good sense of humour. She has also been truly inspiring- such a good positive role model for young people. I have no hesitation in recommending her as a speaker to any group in the future.”
“Helen was FANTASTIC! We're really happy with how the day went, and over the moon with Helen's involvement.”
“Some people have tough periods in their life. The same with Helen. Some of the injuries, the back surgery — there is a real story here. When you dig and scratch the surface of some of these athletes, what they’ve been through and come out the other side of.. They deserve everything they’ve got.”

How to book Helen Richardson-Walsh as a keynote speaker

How do I book Helen Richardson-Walsh for a keynote speech?

You can book Helen Richardson-Walsh through London Speaker Bureau by submitting the enquiry form on this page or calling our team. One of our consultants will respond promptly with Helen's current availability, speaking fees and any specific requirements for your event.

What are Helen Richardson-Walsh's speaking fees?

Helen Richardson-Walsh's speaking fees depend on the event format (in-person or virtual), the location, the length of the engagement and the level of customisation required. Please contact London Speaker Bureau for an up-to-date fee quote for Helen tailored to your event.

What topics does Helen Richardson-Walsh speak about?

Helen Richardson-Walsh speaks on Diversity, Inspirational Women, LGBTQ, Olympic, Performance. Talks can be shaped around your audience, industry and strategic objectives - share your event brief with London Speaker Bureau and we will work with Helen to align the content with your delegates and goals.

Is Helen Richardson-Walsh available for international events?

London Speaker Bureau can book Helen Richardson-Walsh for events worldwide, subject to Helen's schedule. Please send us your event date, location and format and we will confirm availability and handle travel and logistics on your behalf.

Does Helen Richardson-Walsh deliver virtual or online keynotes?

Virtual and hybrid keynotes are now a standard part of the speaking industry. Please contact London Speaker Bureau to confirm whether Helen Richardson-Walsh is available to deliver a virtual session for your event and on which platform (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, a bespoke studio or your own).

How long is a typical keynote by Helen Richardson-Walsh?

Most keynote speeches run between 45 and 60 minutes, often followed by a 15-30 minute Q&A. Other formats - shorter conference slots, panel appearances or longer workshop sessions - may also be possible. Share your agenda with London Speaker Bureau and we will confirm what Helen can accommodate.

Can Helen Richardson-Walsh tailor the keynote to our industry and audience?

London Speaker Bureau will brief Helen Richardson-Walsh on your audience profile, sector and objectives so the keynote can be shaped around your event. The level of customisation possible depends on the speaker and the lead time - contact us with your brief and we will confirm what Helen can offer.

What languages does Helen Richardson-Walsh present in?

Helen Richardson-Walsh delivers keynotes in English. This profile may not list every language available; ask London Speaker Bureau to confirm. If you require simultaneous interpretation or a multilingual format, please mention this in your enquiry and London Speaker Bureau will arrange it for you.

What makes Helen Richardson-Walsh a strong fit as a keynote speaker?

Helen Richardson-Walsh's areas of expertise include Diversity, Inspirational Women, LGBTQ, Olympic, Performance. To get a clear sense of Helen's style, credentials and how they engage an audience, please review the biography, popular talks and any videos or testimonials shown on this page, or request a detailed speaker brief from London Speaker Bureau.

What kind of events can Helen Richardson-Walsh speak at?

Helen Richardson-Walsh can be booked through London Speaker Bureau for corporate conferences, leadership events, internal team meetings, association gatherings and private client engagements where expertise in Diversity, Inspirational Women, LGBTQ, Olympic, Performance is relevant. Details of Helen's background and previous engagements are included in the biography above; contact us if you would like a more detailed list of past clients or case studies.

Does Helen Richardson-Walsh offer workshops, panels or fireside chats in addition to keynotes?

Beyond keynote speeches, many of the speakers on our roster also take part in workshops, executive masterclasses, panel discussions and fireside chats. Contact London Speaker Bureau with your preferred format and we will confirm what Helen Richardson-Walsh is able to offer alongside or instead of a keynote.

How far in advance should we book Helen Richardson-Walsh?

We generally recommend enquiring at least three to twelve months in advance to secure your preferred date with Helen Richardson-Walsh, particularly during peak conference seasons. Where possible we also accommodate shorter lead times - please contact London Speaker Bureau to check Helen's current availability for your dates.