Lord Sebastian Coe
Sebastian Coe can look back on an athletics career of almost unparalleled achievement. He can speak with immense authority both on individual and team success, motivation and leadership. Lord Sebastian Coe KBE is one of Britain’s greatest ever athletes and has also had successful careers in Politics and sports administration.
He has held a total of twelve world records, covering 800m, 1000m, 1500m and one mile with his 800m record standing for 16 years.
He was awarded the OBE in 1991 and in 1979 was named BBC Sports Personality of the Year. He was also chosen as the Sports Writer’s Sportsman of the Year in 1979,1980,1981 and 1984.
Sebastian Coe retired from athletics in 1990 and became a Member of Parliament for Falmouth and Cambourne in 1992. From 1994-96 he was Parliamentary Private Secretary to Roger Freeman, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and in 1995 he was PPS to Nicholas Soames, Armed Forces Minister. In 1996 he was appointed Government Whip, and in 1997 he became a member of the International Olympic Committee.
He was a member of Campaign Team at Conservative Central Office with Responsibility for Youth, a member of National Heritage Select Committee and a member of the Employment Select Committee. Other posts included Vice Chairmanship for the Sports Council Board, membership of the Health Education Council, and Chair of The Sports Council’s Olympic Review. In 1997 he was appointed Private Secretary to the Leader of the Opposition, the Rt. Hon William Hague MP.
Lord Coe is now Chairman of London 2012, the successful British Olympic bid committee, he took over the post from Barbara Cassani and against the stiffest foreign opposition made the most outstanding bid for London which will host the Games in 2012.
Lord Coe’s book The Winning Mind: My Inside Track on Great Leadership was inspired by his late father and coach. Lord Coe’s success is directly influenced by his father Peter Coe, who survived the sinking of his ship in WWII, captivity and subsequent escape from a moving train and an heroic journey across France and through to Spain evading his captors.
His success in sport has been mirrored in his business career and in victory for Britain’s Olympic bid in 2004. His book offers an inspirational view of the attributes of a successful modern leader from a unique perspective.
