Nicola Adams

An iconic British boxer, Nicola Adams made history when she became the first-ever female Olympic boxing champion in 2012. She repeated this feat in 2016, making her the first British boxer to defend an Olympic title for 92 years. Openly lesbian, she made more history in 2020 by becoming the first-ever Strictly Come Dancing contestant to appear in a same-sex couple. As a diversity and inclusion speaker Nicola can discuss her unprecedented sporting success as well as her influence in the LGBT+ community.

Nicola’s greatest moment undoubtedly came when she made history at the London Olympics, which she followed up with another gold medal at the Rio Olympic Games in 2016. But as well as her historic Olympic success, Nicola also won a whole host of other prestigious medals including a World Championship and European Championship title and a Commonwealth Games gold in 2014. In 2017, Nicola took the opportunity to become a professional boxer and went on to win the WBO Female Flyweight Title before being forced to retire due to an eye injury.

Boxing has always been a passion for Nicola, who competed in her first fight when she was just 13 years old. Showing immense promise, Nicola soon became the first-ever woman to represent England in an official fight in 2001. Balancing her time working on a building site and performing as an extra on EastEnders and Coronation Street, Nicola’s big break came when she earned a silver medal at the World Championships in China.

As her profile grew, Nicola never shied away from her sexuality, proudly letting the world know she was a lesbian. When she claimed her first Olympic gold in 2012, Nicola became the first openly LGBT person to win a boxing medal. She has also been named as The Most Influential LGBT Person in Britain by The Independent, named on the Powerlist as one of the Most Influential African/ African-Caribbean Descent in the UK and named as one of the UK’s Most Eminent Lesbian and Bisexual Women, topping the DIVA Power List in 2016.

One of Britain’s most inspirational sporting figures, during her diversity and inclusion speaking events Nicola regularly campaigns for equality in sport, as well as across society. Using her own struggles and experiences, Nicola opens the eyes of audiences and makes all audience members feel included in her influential talks. When booked as a diversity and inclusion speaker,  Nicola shares her experience of achieving success in a male-dominated sport, along with her influence as a prominent member of the LGBT community and her passion to promote inclusion of all.