Arguably one of the best-known rugby players in the world, Jonny Wilkinson CBE famously kicked the drop goal that won England the 2003 World Cup with just seconds left in the final. He then went on to be rated as one of the best players in the world in both internationals and at club level, with Newcastle and Toulon. In a stellar career Jonny also accumulated four Six Nations titles and when he retired in 2011, he was the highest international points scorer of all time.
Much of Jonny’s success on the field, however, took its psychological toll. He has dealt with depression, anxiety and panic attacks. In his honest, unguarded speech, entitled ‘Success on the field and mental health: a personal account of understanding what matters’, Jonny will recount how his focus and dedication to the sport he loves meant overlooking important parts of his life. He will consider what that experience has taught him about mental health and will talk about his personal journey to acceptance.
Jonny will be taking to the Keynote Theatre at Safety & Health Expo on Thursday 20 June at 11:30am.
For over a decade Steph McGovern has reported on business and finance from around the world; from international summits to small business success stories. She is an established part of the BBC Breakfast team, covering business developments daily, and also regularly taking to the sofa as main co-host.
Steph’s Breakfast duties include meeting first-hand those on Britain’s business frontline. Speaking to factory workers and FTSE 100 CEOs, Steph’s mission is to uncover and explain what’s going on in the real economy.
During her session, Steph will talk about how she went from working as an apprentice engineer at Black & Decker in Durham to becoming an award-winning financial journalist and BBC household name. Having broadcast from over 600 organisations around the country, Steph will explain what she thinks it takes to be a good business and how to weather the economic and political storm.
On top of this Steph will be talking about why we need to value skills more in the UK and the importance of vocational training. Plus, what she has learnt from some of her biggest interviews, which includes President Trump.
Steph will be speaking as part of Women in Health & Safety and will be in the Keynote Theatre at 11:30am on Tuesday 18 June.
Michael Edwards, famously known as ‘Eddie the Eagle’, is an English skier who in 1988 made the world headlines by representing Great Britain in the 70m and 90m ski jumping at the Calgary Olympics. He was also the British ski jumping record holder and, after retiring from ski jumping, Eddie went on to become ninth in the world amateur speed skiing, and a stunt jumping world record holder for jumping over six buses.
Eddie is famous for personifying the Olympic spirit and for his determination to represent his country without any form of funding. With a law degree from De Montfort University in Leicester, he works as a commentator for numerous TV shows and is also a motivational speaker at conferences and corporate events.
There is always the risk of failing when you’re trying something new. And in the case of Eddie, his ambitions also put him at risk of severe injury. Not landing the 90-meter jump at the Calgary Winter Olympics could have had terrible consequences. But actually, his most serious injury was caused by something completely different.
Eddie will be joined on stage by Larry Wilson, CEO and author of Safestart UK. He will talk about his career, his most serious injury and his perspective on risk. The session will bring new insights into courage and risk with engagement, humour and a touch of seriousness.
Catch Eddie and Larry in the Keynote Theatre at 11:30am on Wednesday 19 June.
