Olympic Gold Medallist to address IQ centenary dinner

Helen Glover announced as Institute of Quarrying’s special guest motivational speaker

THE winner of Great Britain’s first Olympic Gold Medal at London 2012 is the Institute of Quarrying’s special guest motivational speaker at this year’s ‘Inspiring for Generations’ centenary dinner at The Belfry on 19 October 2017.

Along with her rowing partner, Heather Stanning, Helen Glover became the first British oarswomen ever to claim Olympic Gold when they won the women’s coxless pairs. Their achievement is all the more exceptional given Helen only started rowing four years before the London Olympics, as part of a UK fast-track development programme called ‘Sporting Giants’.

James Thorne, IQ’s chief executive, said: ‘Helen is the perfect example of how professional development can catapult your career in directions you never expected. It’s quite an extreme example but shows what can be achieved through channelling latent talent in the right direction and with the right support.

‘We are delighted that Helen is joining us to share her inspirational story at our centenary conference dinner. It is a very special evening for the Institute, made all the more notable by the presence of a true Olympian.’

‘Sporting Giants’ was launched by Sir Steve Redgrave, on behalf of UK Sport, in February 2007 to identify young people with the potential to display talent in sports such as handball, rowing and volleyball.

Helen Glover said: ‘From a young age I was involved in almost every sport under the sun, but surprisingly rowing wasn’t one of them. People are often surprised to hear I didn’t set foot in a rowing boat until I joined the Sporting Giants scheme in 2008.

‘I was in-between graduating to become a physical education teacher when Sporting Giants spotted my rowing talent and the rest is now history. With the right support and self-belief anything is possible and I hope to inspire others.’

Miles Watkins, IQ President, said: ‘Our ‘Inspiring for Generations’ centenary conference will be a great opportunity to meet up with faces old and new, network and learn from our inspiring guest speakers. Not only is it a celebration of how far the Institute and mineral extractives sector has come, but also a nod to the future at what the industry has to offer and the exciting challenges ahead.’ 

Taking place at The Belfry Hotel & Resort in Sutton Coldfield, the centenary conference and industry dinner will provide an uplifting and inspiring experience for industry professionals and is part of celebrations to mark the 100-year anniversary of IQ.

For further information and/or to book tickets, contact IQ on tel: (0115) 972 9995; or visit: www.quarrying.org