Lizzie Simmonds

Background

About Lizzie Simmonds

I'm driven by big-picture challenges: how to prepare organisations for the future, harness diverse perspectives, and shape strategies that enable innovation and sustainable performance. After competing at two Olympic Games, I moved into leadership as Chair of the British Olympic Association's Athletes' Commission and member of the BOA Board. In that role, I've brought athlete insight into high-level decision-making - from culture strategy and performance planning to horizon-scanning on emerging trends like AI, digital safeguarding, and the future of Olympic sport. I've championed athletes at all levels of the sporting ecosystem, shaped international policy, and driven strategic debates on inclusion and equity. It's given me a unique vantage point on how systems evolve, and how strategy unlocks innovation when diverse voices drive outcomes, not just fill seats. Alongside governance, I've led major projects on the ground – managing multi-sport delegations, designing culture frameworks, shaping commercial partnerships, and navigating complex stakeholder challenges. I've also worked on initiatives supporting athlete transition, mental health services, and research into elite female health needs - addressing both systemic barriers and the personal challenges people face in high-performance environments. Beyond sport, I advise and deliver transformation programmes for corporate clients, translating high-performance principles into leadership, culture, and performance strategies that create lasting impact across sectors. What I bring: • Systems thinking and horizon-scanning to spot what's next • Translating strategy into practical, actionable change • Bridging diverse perspectives to unlock innovation and better decisions • Clarity, energy, and authentic communication in complex environments • Experience building belonging - creating spaces where different voices don't just exist, but drive better outcomes I also speak and commentate, using elite sport insights to challenge thinking on resilience, leadership, culture, and what it takes to perform under pressure. I work at the intersection of strategy, culture, and performance - helping organisations prepare for the future through governance, transformation programmes, and strategic advisory work. If you're tackling complex change or building something ambitious, let's connect. Enquiries: info@lizziesimmonds.com