Geoff Thompson MBE

Former World Karate Champion

Geoff Thompson is one of the country’s leading sports politicians. He served as a member of the GB and English Sports Council for 11 years, was a member of the New Opportunities Fund and President and Chairman of the Sports Aid Foundation NW Region. Geoff has served on numerous public / private sector bodies and government initiatives and has advised and developed policy in the areas of equality, diversity, social inclusion and regeneration. He was also heavily involved in promoting Manchester’s bid for the 2000 Olympics and the 2002 Commonwealth Games. Geoff recently contributed to the Independent Sports Review Groups ‘Raising the Bar’ document.

As founder and Executive Chairman of the Youth Charter, a UK registered charity and United Nations non governmental organisation, Geoff has for the past fifteen years been at the forefront in the developing policies and innovative approaches looking at the role of sport, arts and cultural activity and its role in addressing educational, non attainment, health, physical activity, exclusion and anti social behaviour and the effects of guns and gangs on the lives and communities locally and globally 

Geoff is a former five times World Karate Champion and was honoured in 1995 in the Queen's New Year Honours list with an M.B.E. for his services to sport.  He is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and was most awarded with an Honorary Doctorate of Law by Roehampton University.

Geoff's current work as a motivational speaker and corporate coach provides a unique balance between the business of social delivery and how government, business, public/ private sector and other organisations can maximise their effectiveness and performance in realising the potential of young people and the wider community.

In 1995 Geoff was awarded an MBE for his services to sport.