Tracy Edwards MBE

In 1990 Tracy Edwards was awarded Sportswoman of the Year and an MBE, having won international fame in 1989 as the first skipper of an all female crew to sail around the world.

In 2003 she signed a deal with the Crown Prince of Qatar to create two round-the-world races and a marina complex. However, Qatar refused to pay and Tracy was forced into bankruptcy in September 2005, after having been held against her will in Qatar for 28 days.

Tracy is now consulting for companies doing business in the Middle East and pursuing legal action against Qatar. She regularly gives her time for charity work and is Patron of The Ahoy Centre, Ambassador to the NSPCC working with CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection) and Ambassador of One Parent Families. Tracy also supports the Lady Taverners and The Prince's Trust.

There are many lessons to be learned from Tracy's experiences of massive successes and devastating failure. In addition, Tracy has lost none of the sparkle and humour that audiences warm to, and which makes her one of the most inspirational speakers of today.