geoff thompson mbe 

World Karate Champion

In the 80's Geoff Thompson made a transition from tracksuit to lounge suit where he established himself as a sports politician and administrator following an outstanding career in competitive karate

In 1988 Geoff was a participant in the Government's Review of Sport in the Inner Cities following the urban riots that swept through the UK. In 1990 he was appointed to the GB Sports Council (now Sport England) and was heavily involved in promoting Manchester's bid for the 2000 Olympics and the successful bid for the 2002 Commonwealth Games as part of the ambassadorial team. He joined Salford University Business Services in 1991 and was Vice President of the Sports Aid Foundation's North West Region.

As founder and Executive Chairman of the Youth Charter he has, for the past fifteen years, been at the forefront in developing policies and innovative approaches looking at the role of Sport, Art and cultural activity and its social impact in addressing anti-social youth behaviour, child obesity, weapon and gang culture.

Geoff Thompson was one of the greatest Martial Arts competition fighters of his generation. As a former five times WUKO World Karate Champion, he inspired Britain's dominance of the 80's and 90's. He led the Great Britain team to three World Team Titles and was the MVP (Most Valuable Performer) on each of those occasions.

As the World Heavyweight Champion and World Games Champion, his explosive technique and style recognised him as the greatest point scorer in the sport's history. The karate athlete, warrior and fighter also made the transition to karate coach. Geoff has since coached World, European and National champions through his unique Competition karate system of basic theory and application.

He was five times World Karate Champion from 1982 - 1986 and holder of over 50 national and international titles. As one of Britain's most successful and celebrated sportsmen of the 80's.

For the last 15 years, as a sports activist, Geoff has also used his karate achievements with the establishment of the Youth Charter, a United Nations Non Governmental Organisation and registered Charity promoting social and cultural justice for young people globally.

The Sports Writers Association, the Commonwealth Sports Awards, the Variety Club of Great Britain, and the prestigious Arthur Bell Trophy for outstanding contributions to sport have all recognised Geoff for his work. He has also been inducted into the Martial Arts Hall of Fame.

In 1995 Geoff was awarded an MBE for his services to sport and in 2008 Geoff was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Roehampton.

The Life Coach

As one of the World's leading motivational speakers, Geoff's unique journey from social disaffection describes how sport helped him to overcome social and cultural adversity to achieving personal and team success with results that have led to this unique pursuit of personal excellence. Now reflected in his Corporate Coaching enterprise, Geoff travels the globe engaging, motivating and inspiring leading executives, middle management and corporate work forces on how Corporate Social Responsibility polices and strategies can successfully improve behaviour and performance in the corporate workplace. Assignments have included; BP, Shell Oil Company, Marks and Spencer, Guardian Media Group, British Telecom, Ford Motor Company, Royal Bank of Scotland, Financial Dynamics, Warburg Dillon, Manchester United FC, Lawn Tennis Association, Rugby Football Union, British Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Bruntwood and Land Securities Trillium.

Geoff's current work as a motivational speaker and corporate coach provides a unique balance between the business of Corporate Social Responsibility and how Government, business, public / private sector and other organisations can maximise their effectiveness and performance in realising the potential of young people and the wider community.

Geoff has also undertaken a number of public and private sector appointments developing and contributing to equality, diversity and inclusion at all levels of society nationally and internationally. His roles have included Chairman of the Sport England's Advisory Group on Racial Equality in Sport, A Member of its Grant Assessment Panel, a Director of the Sports Council Trust Company, Member of Sport England and Board Member of the New Opportunities Fund. Geoff is an Honorary Fellow of the former Institute of Leisure, Amenities and Management, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and currently serves as an Independent Assessor for the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Geoff has served as an Independent Assessor for the following Departments / bodies: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs - Animal Health and Welfare Strategy group, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister - Beacon Council Advisory Group, the Home Office and Treasury Police Service Assessment Centres, Prison Service Pay Review Body, Department of Skills and Employment, Pensions Regulator body, Office of the Schools Adjudicator, General Medical CouncilÕs Case Examiners for their fitness to practise procedures, the Law Society. The Ministry of Justice, The Cabinet Office and the Department of Constitutional Affairs.