Sports legend talks to Gloucestershire businesses

17th May 2012

Steve Cram recently swapped the racetrack for the racecourse to inspire businesspeople from across Gloucestershire.

The former Olympic athlete and 1,500m, 2,000m and mile world record holder joined around 100 businesspeople at Cheltenham Racecourse to discuss his record-breaking sports career as a track athlete and provide a unique insight into the hard work and dedication that goes into delivering spectacular sporting events.

Steve, who was at the racecourse as an ambassador of Clydesdale Bank, was invited to speak at the event by Clydesdale Bank’s Gloucester Financial Solutions Centre (FSC) and joint-organisers Rickerbys LLP solicitors and accountants and business advisors Crowe Clark Whitehill LLP.

The sports commentator and former BBC Sports Personality of the Year was also on hand to draw a winner from guests who had bet on a mascot race to raise funds for Milestone School in Gloucester.

Head teacher Lyn Dance was presented with a cheque from Steve with the money to go towards an appeal launched by the community special school on Longford Lane to purchase iPads to support learning.

Following the lunch event, Steve went to Balcarras School in Cheltenham to lead a coaching session and Q&A to pupils from schools across the town.

Roger Bell, managing partner at Clydesdale Bank’s Gloucester FSC on The Square, said: “We’re grateful that Steve gave up time in his busy schedule to visit Balcarras School and pass on his expertise. The students were thrilled to meet a genuine sporting hero.

“The lunchtime event with local businesses also went extremely well and helped raise funds for a fantastic cause in Milestone School. There are lots of parallels between being successful in sport and in business including leadership, tenacity and team work, and the businesspeople certainly enjoyed his talk.”

Richard Levinge, business development director at Rickerbys and a school governor at Milestone School, said the event was extremely well received.

“It was good to see our clients and lots of the local business community combining to support charity and hear a really worthwhile business talk,” he said.

David Anderson from Crowe Clark Whitehill added: “Steve’s talk contained many echoes for the county’s growing businesses.”