Sophie Christiansen

Sophie Christiansen is a distinguished diversity and inclusion speaker, renowned for her advocacy in disability rights and accessibility. As a retired Paralympic equestrian champion with a career spanning two decades, she has demonstrated remarkable resilience and success both in and out of sport. Having amassed 30 senior championship medals, including eight Paralympic golds, she uses her platform to challenge perceptions and promote inclusivity. Beyond her athletic career, Sophie is a software engineer and a dedicated advocate for disability representation in the workplace, making her an influential voice in discussions on diversity and equality.

Sophie’s journey began at just 16, when she made her Paralympic debut at the 2004 Athens Games, securing a bronze medal in the Individual Championship event. From there, she quickly rose through the ranks, securing multiple titles at European and World Championships and becoming the first para rider to receive the Raymond Brooks Ward Trophy in 2008. Her historic success at the Beijing 2008 Paralympics, where she claimed two golds and a silver, set the stage for even greater achievements. She continued her dominance at the London 2012 Games, repeating her hat-trick of three gold medals, a feat she would match once again in Rio 2016. Her exceptional contributions to sport were recognised with an MBE in 2009, followed by OBE in 2013, and finally a CBE in 2017.

Following her competitive career, Sophie turned her focus towards advocacy, media, and technology. In 2014, she transitioned into the tech industry as a software engineer, leveraging her Master’s degree in Mathematics from Royal Holloway, University of London. In 2021, she became a Disability Reporter for 5 News, furthering conversations about accessibility and representation. Her impact was recognised in 2024 when she was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Variety Disability Sports Awards, marking the end of her competitive journey.

Sophie is highly sought after as a speaker due to her unique perspective, blending elite sport, disability advocacy, and technology. She delivers powerful insights on overcoming adversity, creating inclusive workplaces, and challenging stereotypes. Her lived experience, combined with her professional expertise, makes her an engaging and thought-provoking speaker, inspiring organisations to embrace diversity and break down barriers to accessibility.