Tom James

An Olympic athlete, Tom James MBE is best known as a gold medallist having competed in the coxless fours at the 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Olympics.

First taking up rowing during his time at Cambridge University, James was honoured with the opportunity to take part in the Oxford-Cambridge boat races for over five years. His first time competing in the Olympics was at Athens in 2004 where he raced as part of the eights crew. Continuing his career as a professional rower, James took home wins in a number of World Championships before securing a place on the coxless fours team for the Beijing Olympics where the team took home gold. James later enjoyed further success alongside his rowing team when they competed at the London Olympics becoming gold medallists.

Following his retirement from rowing, James now speaks at conferences and events across the country where he shares his experiences working in a stressful environment, the pressures of success, the disappointment of losing and his fight back from injury. Of his many accolades, in 2009 James was appointed an MBE in the New Year Honours. He was also awarded was awarded the Freedom of the Borough of Wrexham in 2012. Later in 2014 James went on to be appointed a Steward of the Henley Royal Regatta and regularly commentates annually at the event and The Boat Race. James also enjoyed success in 2015 as a member of the winning team on the Christmas University Challenge, where he represented Trinity Hall, Cambridge.