Award winning Olympian Javelin thrower Fatima Whitbread MBE is the keynote speaker at the glittering black tie ceremony – The Great British Thames Valley Business and Community Awards at the Hilton Hotel Drake Way Reading on the 25^{th of} January 2024.

Fatima, who was awarded the 2023 BBC Sports Personality of The Year Helen Rollason Award for outstanding achievement in the face of adversity is the host at the annual black-tie event and will be talking about her story of resilience where she went from being abandoned as a baby, spending her youth in a children’s home to becoming an award-winning Olympian. There will be over 250 entrepreneurs and community figures on the night who will be listening to Fatima’s anecdotes of resilience. She will also be talking about her challenge to change the UK care system for vulnerable children through Fatima’s UK campaign. Fatima is on an expedition to Mount Everest Base Camp this May and will be holding a national summit in September to bring together people and organisations working in children’s services.

Founder of Great British Expos Alec Jones Hall said ‘we are delighted that Fatima has agreed to be the keynote speaker at the awards which will encourage and inspire more entrepreneurs to achieve their goals. She is a symbol of strength. All businesses experience challenges and who better to inspire them on the evening and applaud their achievements than award winning Olympian Fatima Whtibread MBE.’

Fatima Whitbread MBE said, ‘Thanks for asking me, I would love to be part of helping more businesses achieve a winner’s mindset to overcome their challenges to make an impact. Look forward to meeting the winners on the night’.

Fatima is a good fit as the keynote speaker at the Thames Valley Business and Community Awards which highlights SME’s and other community figures recognition for their work and achievements within the year. There are fifteen awards categories on the night which include Lifetime achievement award and the Charity award. The first award ceremony was in 2020 and the Great British Expos team designed them to also give back to their charity Cherishers which helps the elderly and the vulnerable with employment opportunities and care in the community. On average since Great British Expos began 12 years ago it has raised over £250k per year to give to charity and awarded 1000’s of businesses accolades.

Interview by Fiona Scott.