Anna Watkins

Olympic Champion Anna Watkins MBE won Gold at the London Olympics in the double sculls alongside Katherine Grainger.

Anna was introduced to rowing when she studied at the University of Cambridge. She showed a natural talent for the sport and became a competent rower in a number of disciplines including the eight, the coxless fours, and the single and double sculls. She trialled for Team GB's Start Programme and had her first taste of success in 2004 when she made her international debut and won Gold at the U23 World Championships. From there onwards she became an integral member in the women's squad. In 2006 Watkins switched to sculling and began competing in the double scull, a boat class she remained in for the 2008 GB Olympic team in Beijing and in which she bought back a Bronze medal.

In 2010 Anna was selected for the double sculls with Katherine Grainger, a boat that became a formidable force. The pair had an unbeaten season culminating in their Gold medal at the 2010 World Championships in New Zealand, crowning them as the World Champions in their category. Anna and Katherine were also named GB Rowing Team of the Year as well as Sunday Times Sports Team of the Year. At the London 2012 Olympic Games, the pair broke the Olympic record in the semi-final of the double sculls and subsequently went on to win Gold in the final.

Away from the water Anna is confident, well-spoken and a multi-talented individual who is completing a PhD in Mathematics. In the 2012 New Year's Honours List, Anna was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire for services to rowing. Watkins is also Patron for the Women's Sport Trust and an ambassador for Silver Cross. An advocate of women in sport, she uses her own experiences to inspire the next generation of female athletes. Watkins's personable nature and mathematical mind, proved wonders on the water, and these skills she continues to utilise through her public speaking.

To book Anna to speak at your event please call a Prime Performers Booking Agent on 020 3500 3331 or email your enquiry to info@primeperformers.co.uk