Charlie Martin
Video
Speaking Topics
Resilience
Diversity, Equality and Inclusion
Overcoming adversity
Realising your goals
Change
LGBT
Mental Health
Bio
Charlie is an inspirational and thought provoking speaker with a unique story. The first transgender professional racing driver in a predominantly male dominated sport, Charlie is a pioneer of transgender and LGBTQ+ inclusivity in sport.
Her quest to become a successful racing driver stemmed from a visit to the racetrack as a young teenager. In 2006, after saving £1,500 for a Peugeot 205, Charlie stared competed had her first taste of competitive motorsports competing in UK hillclimb. After 6 years, Charlie was excelling behind the wheel, however mentally she was struggling. In 2012 she made the brave decision to face her greatest fear and transition. It was this momentous decision that shaped her life experience and provides the backbone of her story about battling against stigma, inclusion, overcoming adversity and being true to yourself.
Charlie went onto make LGBTQ+ history in 2020 as the first ever transgender driver to compete in the ADAC TOTAL 24hr Nürburgring-Rennen, where she finished 4th in class racing a BMW M240i. Since starting her career at club level with no family history in motorsport, she has raced successfully in a variety of categories from hot hatches and GT’s to single seaters and sports cars. In 2020 she was shortlisted for two awards - British LGBT Awards: Sports Personality & DIVA Magazine: Sports Star as well as featuring in the Pride Power list, OUT Magazine 100 & Attitude 101. Her ambition is to make LGBTQ+ history as the first ever transgender driver in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
A professional public speaker, Charlie works regularly with large organisations to help them improve their commitment to diversity and inclusion. Previous clients include Google, Microsoft, Adidas, AON, O2, GSK, ASOS, Heycar & BMW. She also works with leading LGBTQ+ charities Stonewall (Sports Champion), Mermaids (Patron) and Athlete Ally (ambassador), as well as Racing Pride (ambassador) to improve visibility, acceptance and inclusion in motorsport.
Fluent in French, Charlie is a keen trail runner, surfer and snowboarder, as well as vlogger on her Youtube channel. She has an online following of over 50k highly engaged followers.
CEO Consumer Healthcare, GSK
“I thought the session was fantastic and very inspirational, a great story of being your authentic self and not only overcoming challenges but flourishing.”
O2 Executive Sponsor for Diversity & Inclusion, Telefónica UK
“Charlie was incredibly open and honest about her journey. She brought to life the importance of being able to be your full self at work and the performance gains achieved as a result. The feedback we had from our audience across the LGBT+ community and allies was incredibly positive, and she’s certainly left a lasting impression on our organisation.”
Head of diversity & inclusion, AON
“If there is anyone to inspire you to follow your dreams with passion & determination, it’s Charlie.”
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