Available to book
Sam Smith
Neurodiversity
Diversity and Inclusion
Workplace Culture
Transform workplace neurodiversity with Sam Smith, speaker and former British tennis champion. Sam works with organisations to enhance autism awareness, promote inclusive leadership, and leverage neurodivergent strengths, delivering expert insights backed by her BBC broadcasting career and Olympic experience.
Tennis Keynote
Neurodiversity Awareness
Autism Awareness
Broadcaster
Athlete
Sam Smith is a former professional tennis player and British number one who achieved international acclaim for her talent, discipline, and grit. Her career highlights include reaching the last 16 at Wimbledon in 1998, notably defeating former champion Conchita Martinez, and representing Great Britain at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Sam held a world ranking of 55 at her peak, establishing her as one of Britain’s foremost players of the 1990s.
Sam’s commitment to excellence began early; as a junior, she was a multiple national champion and medalled at the European Championships. Even during a brief hiatus from professional tennis, she excelled, completing a BA in History at the University of Exeter while capturing titles at the British University National Championships and medalling at two World Student Games.
After retiring from the WTA tour in 2000, Sam transitioned to media, where she has since become a respected tennis commentator. Her insight, depth of experience, and clarity have made her a mainstay of both radio and television sports coverage. Her historic role in 2019 as the first woman to lead commentary for the Wimbledon Ladies Singles Final on the BBC marked a pinnacle in her broadcasting career.
Beyond sports, Sam’s journey has taken a new direction following a late-life diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in 2019. Embracing her neurodivergence, she now actively promotes awareness and understanding of autism, especially within corporate and organisational contexts. By openly discussing her experiences with what was previously termed Asperger’s Syndrome, Sam aims to shift perceptions and highlight the strengths that come with neurodiversity while acknowledging the challenges she manages daily.
A Full Member of the All England Lawn Tennis Club and The International Club of Great Britain, Sam continues to inspire through her contributions to tennis and her advocacy for neurodivergence, resilience, and authenticity in all spheres of life.
Book Sam Smith to inspire your team with her unique journey from elite athlete to pioneering broadcaster. Her insights on neurodivergence and resilience will foster understanding and inclusivity, empowering your organisation to embrace diverse perspectives. Sam’s compelling story and positive outlook will motivate and engage your audience.
often considered together
Toni Horn
Neurodiversity
Diversity and Inclusion
Workplace Culture
Theo Smith
Neurodiversity
Diversity and Inclusion
Workplace Culture
Ellen Jones
Diversity and Inclusion
Neurodiversity
LGBTQ+
frequently asked questions
Something we've not covered here?
Email sam.smith@getapeptalk.com or call PepTalk on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm Sam's availability and fees. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and a bit about your audience.
Sam Smith draws on her personal experience of receiving a late-life ASD diagnosis to frame talks on neurodivergence, using her own professional and post-career journey as a case study to contextualise the strengths and challenges of autism within corporate and organisational settings.
Sam Smith speaks on neurodiversity and autism in the workplace, diversity and inclusion, and resilience drawn from professional sport. She is best known in broadcasting for becoming the first woman to lead commentary on the Wimbledon Ladies Singles Final for the BBC in 2019, having previously reached the last 16 at Wimbledon in 1998 and represented Great Britain at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics during her career as British number one.
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Three to six months ahead is comfortable for most events, and 12 months is better for large conferences, peak-season dates or one specific in-demand speaker. Shorter timelines are workable, and PepTalk regularly fills last-minute and replacement bookings within days. Availability is the constraint, so get in touch as soon as you have a date.
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