Kate Richardson-Walsh Profile Picture

Keynote SpeakerKate Richardson-Walsh

Most capped female hockey player in UK history

Captain of the GB and England women’s hockey teams for 13 years, Drove the GB team to a nail biting victory at the Rio Olympic Games... Read more

Biography

Kate Richardson-Walsh, is the most capped female hockey player in her country’s history, and was captain of the GB and England women’s hockey teams for 13 years.

An inspirational and charismatic leader she has been widely credited for helping build the incredible team ethos and commitment that drove the GB team to a nail biting victory at the Rio Olympic Games.

In winning gold Kate also made history in other ways, becoming one half of the first same-sex married couple to win an Olympic medal playing in the same team.

Having retired from international hockey after Rio, Kate turned her experience towards coaching, encouraging the grassroots development of the game and applying the leadership, team and performance lessons of a career in elite sport.

Kate is also an experienced motivational speaker. During the 17 years of playing elite level of hockey she experienced soaring highs and crushing lows, and playing in teams that were operating at their very best, and those that had deep structural issues and struggled to function.

Taking these experiences into the corporate space, Kate shares the key processes and behaviours that have underpinned the successful teams she has been a part of. The collaborative process to establish a shared team vision, values and behaviours that everyone feels ownership of, and the self-knowledge that each individual within the team developed, empowering them to give their very best to the collective cause.

She touches on the roles, awareness, leadership responsibilities and resilience of individuals within the team structure and shares some of the psychological tools they equipped themselves with and how this affected team cohesion. She also addresses the differences in the team and how they leveraged on this as a strength.

“Kate spoke at the Financial Times Women at the Top Summit, having just returned from Rio where she led the GB women's hockey team to Olympic victory. She gave a fascinating, insightful interview on leadership, team dynamics and the culture of a winning team, all in a way that was relevant to our senior corporate audience and which perfectly strengthened the core theme of our event: how to achieve gender balance and redefine leadership. It was an honour to have Kate join us and the audience loved it. I would fully recommend her as a speaker” FT Women at the Top Summit
“I just wanted to pass on my huge thanks to Kate for last night's event. She was wonderful. She is such an inspiring speaker and was an absolute delight to have as a guest. We have been inundated with compliments for her and it seems she really struck the right note with audience in everything she said about team ambition and leadership. Please let her know how grateful we are.” Mishcon de Reya, Entrepreneurs Forum
"Kate was superb in every aspect. So gracious, kind with her time and so nice to everyone. Her talk was indeed inspirational and resonated with all that were lucky to hear it. There were many key take-aways and I am sure , upon reflection that there may be more! I loved seeing her emotion and passion that still fires Kate and I am sure that whatever she does, she will be a resounding success." Securis Investments, Team Away Day
"I just wanted to write to say the most enormous thank you for yesterday. You were utterly inspirational, and our team has not stopped talking about the impact you made. It was very easy to see why you were such an outstanding athlete, and leader. We agreed afterwards that we would all have followed you anywhere. I have seen many magnificent sports people tell their story over the years. From World Cup winners to Olympic gold medallists. You topped them all. It was an extraordinary hour that we will never forget." BBH
"THANK YOU!!!!! What a wonderful, inspirational morning. I thought Kate was amazing, She was very passionate and very honest about her role as a captain, leader and as a team player." L’Oréal

Popular Talks by Kate Richardson-Walsh

  • Resilience & Sustained Performance

    With an 18-year international career, Kate understands the demands of staying at the top in uncertain environments—balancing performance expectations with limited funding, job insecurity, and mental health challenges. Their insights help teams manage pressure, embrace uncertainty, and maintain focus through adversity.

  • Leading Through Values

    The GB team’s success was not just about tactics—it was built on values that were built by the team, for the team. Kate demonstrates how shared values drive alignment, resilience, and accountability across teams. Her message on the importance of translating values into living and breathing behaviours, habits and processes…
  • Women’s Leadership & Representation

    Kate’s role as captain and ambassador for women’s sport offers a strong example of female leadership in action. She speaks at major forums sharing perspectives on overcoming barriers, building confidence, and championing equity in leadership. Relevant for organisations investing in gender diversity and talent development.

  • Mental Health & Wellbeing

    Kate’s experience with poor mental health and psychotherapy throughout her career is shared honestly and candidly. The importance to give time to recovery and preparation in high performance is an often overlooked piece of the excellence puzzle.

  • Authentic Leadership

    Kate offers a compelling view of authentic leadership in action—rooted in empathy, resilience, and trust. Kate, captain for 13 years and chosen by her teammates, reflects on vulnerability, leading under pressure, earning trust, and navigating setbacks. Her experiences offer valuable lessons for today’s leaders seeking to foster inclusive, high-trust environments.

  • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

    Having made history as the first same sex couple to win Olympic gold in Rio, Kate speaks authentically about the value of inclusion and psychological safety in unlocking individual and team performance. She shares how being able to bring her whole self to the team environment helped her thrive—and how…
  • High-Performance Teams & Culture Transformation

    After finishing 11th out of 12 at the 2014 Hockey World Cup, the GB Women’s Hockey Team underwent a remarkable culture shift that ultimately led to Olympic gold in 2016. Kate, as captain, shares the strategies behind that transformation—how to build a winning mindset, develop team-wide accountability, and embed values…

How to book Kate Richardson-Walsh as a keynote speaker

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

You can book Kate 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 Kate's current availability, speaking fees and any specific requirements for your event.

What are Kate Richardson-Walsh's speaking fees?

Kate 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 Kate tailored to your event.

What topics does Kate Richardson-Walsh speak about?

Kate Richardson-Walsh speaks on Celebrities, Arts & Culture, Diversity, Inspirational Women, Leadership, Leadership & Motivation. Talks can be shaped around your audience, industry and strategic objectives - share your event brief with London Speaker Bureau and we will work with Kate to align the content with your delegates and goals.

Is Kate Richardson-Walsh available for international events?

London Speaker Bureau can book Kate Richardson-Walsh for events worldwide, subject to Kate'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 Kate 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 Kate 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 Kate 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 Kate can accommodate.

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

London Speaker Bureau will brief Kate 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 Kate can offer.

What languages does Kate Richardson-Walsh present in?

Kate Richardson-Walsh delivers keynotes in English. 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 Kate Richardson-Walsh a strong fit as a keynote speaker?

Kate Richardson-Walsh's areas of expertise include Celebrities, Arts & Culture, Diversity, Inspirational Women, Leadership, Leadership & Motivation. To get a clear sense of Kate'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 Kate Richardson-Walsh speak at?

Kate 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 Celebrities, Arts & Culture, Diversity, Inspirational Women, Leadership, Leadership & Motivation is relevant. Details of Kate'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 Kate 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 Kate Richardson-Walsh is able to offer alongside or instead of a keynote.

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

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