Former star rugby player Martin Bayfield speaks at Queen's Awards Gala Dinner

Fri 30 Aug 2013
Posted by: IOE News
IOE News
International rugby player and television presenter Martin Bayfield is the inspiring guest speaker at the Institute of Export’s second glittering Gala Dinner for The Queen’s Award for Enterprise at The Drapers’ Hall, London on Tuesday 24 September.

Following the resounding success of our first Gala Dinner last year with guest speaker Richard Noble, we are once again inviting winners of the prestigious award and business leaders to come together for a celebration showcasing the very best in UK business.

The event is a fantastic opportunity to network with likeminded business people and to share best practice with outstanding companies who are leading the field in exporting and international trade.

Our Director General Lesley Batchelor, who is on the judging panel in the International Trade category of the awards and is hosting the Gala Dinner, says: “The evening is a unique opportunity to acknowledge Britain’s brilliant exporting talent and to meet and learn from those innovative businesses that are forging ahead through harnessing the opportunities in international trade.

“Martin Bayfield is an accomplished after dinner speaker who is guaranteed to motivate and to entertain. I know that he will captivate our audience and would encourage IOE members and companies involved in exporting and international trade to join us for this special occasion. The feedback from last year’s event was tremendous.”

Following a successful international career, winning 31 England caps and two Grand Slams, Martin Bayfield joined the BBC rugby commentary team, fronted NFL coverage and The World’s Strongest Man, and became a member of the Crimewatch team.

At six feet 10 inches Martin was one of the tallest men in rugby and, after retiring from the game, his height helped him secure the part of Robbie Coltrane’s body double as the giant Hagrid in the Harry Potter films!