Great Britain’s most successful female swimmer has been confirmed as the keynote speaker at the Conference in Barcelona in June.

Rebecca Adlington OBE, Great Britain’s most successful female swimmer, has been confirmed as the keynote speaker at the 2025 BMF All Industry Conference in June.

Adlington was just 19-years-old when she became a double gold medallist, winning the 400m and 800m freestyle events and breaking a long-standing world record for 800m.

At the time, GB was not known for producing world-beating swimmers. Adlington was the first woman to achieve Olympic gold in the pool for over 40 years, and the first in a century to secure two wins at the same Games.  Her success continued, taking titles at the Commonwealth Games, European and World Championships, before adding to her Olympic medal tally at London 2012 with two bronze medals.

Since retiring from competition, she has combined a media career as a BBC sports commentator and pundit with work for charities and schemes to promote swimming. Her Swim! programme provides a best-in-class learn to swim experience for 0–11-year-olds.

As an elite athlete, Adlington faced her fair share of sudden and unexpected setbacks and has dealt with change and the stress that comes with this throughout her journey from sporting success to business owner.  Her experience in learning to recognise and focus on what is truly important to overcome unforeseen challenges resonates with both sporting and business success. This session is sponsored by Specialist Driver Resourcing.

John Newcomb, BMF CEO, said: “We are delighted to welcome Rebecca as our keynote speaker in Barcelona.  Her experience in learning to recognise and focus on what is truly important to overcome unforeseen challenges resonates with both sporting and business success.”

The 2025 BMF All Industry Conference is fully booked.  The event takes place in Barcelona from 12 – 15 June. For merchants or suppliers that haven’t secured a place, the BMF has opened a waiting list for the event. Please email June.Upton@bmf.org.uk to be added to the waiting list. 

The BMF thanks headline sponsor, ACO, and key sponsors BMN, Breedon, Intact, Klipboard (formerly Kerridge Commercial Systems), Knauf, Knauf Insulation, Marsh, Polypipe, Unilin and Velux. For full information on the Conference, please visit www.bmfconference2025.co.uk