Inspire · Discover · Explore

About

On the 17th of August 2008, Sarah Ayton OBE led her team to another sailing Olympic gold medal in Beijing, having won in Athens four years prior as one of the “Three Blondes in a Boat”. This achievement capped an illustrious unbeaten campaign in which Sarah won two World Championships in Cascais and Miami, and the European title in Blanes.

Sarah has been awarded both an MBE and OBE for her dedication to British sport. She was named as the ISAF Rolex World Sailer of the Year in 2016 – the highest accolade a sailor can achieve whilst also making Sarah one of the most successful British female athletes to date.

Sarah credits her success to her values, vision, and ethos. Drawing on her 20 years of experience in elite sailing, Sarah now uses evocative storytelling to draw parallels between high-level sport and personal and business growth. She utilises her expertise in strategic management, mental resilience, and collaboration to inspire, motivate, and implement positive change for individuals and organisations. Sarah passionately helps clients to discover their “inner athlete”, perform under pressure, and achieve their goals. She offers a variety of dynamic talks for after-dinner speaking, as well as individual solutions-focused coaching and on-the-water team-building workshops.

Who I've worked with

Services

Inspirational Speaking

Sarah Ayton is an experienced and engaging inspirational speaker who has helped a range of corporate organisations and individuals achieve success. Using vivid stories and insightful lessons from her distinguished career at the top of sailing, Sarah provides a fresh perspective on fundamental business issues. She offers 5 captivating talks that tell her incredible story and share her successful approach to sustained performance – perfect for after-dinner speaking, corporate events, and seminars.

Coaching

Expanding upon the central lessons outlined in her talks, Sarah’s coaching sessions offer more in-depth, actionable support at both an organisational and individual level. Tailored to the unique objectives of her clients, these sessions provide a positive environment to foster personal and professional growth. Her approach is centred on the acronym PROUD, which encapsulates the key elements of building towards success.

The Experience

Join Sarah Ayton OBE on the water for an exciting, action-packed experience. Whether you’re looking to reward your team with a unique day out or seeking to strengthen team dynamics and implement the techniques discussed in her talks, Sarah’s expertise will ensure it will be a day to remember. The trips require a minimum of 4 people - there is no maximum.

"I would highly recommend her to anyone – you will all come away motivated and excited about what can be achieved with clear goals, focus and determination!”

Tim Hancock
O&G Group | Chief Executive

"Succeeding in a man’s world: female Thames Valley CEOs take inspiration from Olympian Sarah Ayton

Fourteen female CEOs from the Thames Valley heard Sarah’s view on succeeding in a man’s world at a KPMG-hosted event this week.

The event was one of a series organised by KPMG’s only female chair, Karen Witton. Karen, regional chair for KPMG in the South, said: “Sarah is a real inspiration, and it was a huge privilege to hear her experiences of getting to the top in a male dominated sport. It was surprising to hear that there are many common themes on achieving success in both sport and business."

Karen Witton
KPMG

"Sarah's speech and presence was a great addition to our event. Her tales of experience and success mixed with her humour was entertaining and motivating to us all!"

PetLabCo.