Like so many in her position, Anna Watkins began her rowing career at University. Less than two years after taking up the sport, she had been talent spotted and a few months later, had won her first title in the coxless fours at the World Under 23 Championships.

Having represented her country in all disciplines at senior level, Anna continued her winning ways in the double skulls alongside Elise Laverick taking both the World Championship title and Olympic Gold in Beijing 2008. Following a season plagued with illness, she paired up with Katherine Grainger creating one of the most formidable partnerships in the sport of rowing. Undefeated in their first year together they went on to win the World Championships in New Zealand in 2010 and repeated the process the following year despite battling against injury and illness. Anna was also hugely instrumental in helping Katherine realize her dream of Olympic Gold which the pair won in London 2012. 

Off the water, Anna is an accomplished and experienced motivational and inspirational speaker. In her presentations she combines her scientific background and sport experience to give an informative insight into achieving success at the top level. She also highlights how the planning, leadership and teamwork required in winning a race, can be related to achieving success in business today.

Topics of speech include; The Olympic Story, Overcoming Adversity, Women in Sport, Motivation and Determination. 

In addition to her speaking role, Anna is also available to run workshops specialising in teamwork for personal appearances.

Among her accolades, Anna can include and MBE for services to Rowing and with Katherine, the title of World Rowing Crew of the Year in 2010 and 2012