Charlie Martin
Charlie Martin is a racing driver and LGBTQ+ activist and inspirational speaker. Her mission is to make LGBTQ+ history by racing and winning at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the oldest and most iconic endurance race in the World.
Since transitioning mid way through her career, she has overcome huge adversity and uses her unique lens as a trans woman in a male dominated sport to help organisations increase belonging and teamwork to enhance performance. Charlie uses story telling and tested methodology to empower clients to realise their true potential by breaking down barriers, re-imagining what is possible and designing a road map to drive change forwards. She creates lasting impact, uplifting and up-skilling teams with the tools they need to enhance performance, build trust, belonging, resilience and purpose.
She has helped over 20 Fortune 500’s engage authentically with their employees and enhance performance by fostering a stronger sense of purpose and connection.
Charlie is an ambassador for leading LGBTQ+ charities like Stonewall, Mermaids, Racing Pride, helping to improve acceptance for trans people in sport and beyond.
With 20 years racing experience across Europe and North America in a variety of racing machinery, Charlie has come a long way despite having never raced a kart. Today she is a BMW Friend of the Brand, and finished 2nd in class at the support race for the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June 2024, one step away from her ultimate goal.
Welcome to one woman’s story of bravery, ambition and self belief.
SPEAKING TOPICS
What motorsport teaches you about high performing teamwork
- Key elements that give high performing teams the edge when pressure ramps up
- From trust, communication, and accountability, to soft skills, psychological safety and recognition
- Dive into a high-octane race weekend to enhance how your team works
How adversity fuelled my potential
- A 20 year career in motorsport that started with pocket money
- An inspirational story of ambition, resilience, and succeeding against the odds
- Facing uncertainty with confidence, growth through adversity, believe and achieve
How to champion LGBTQ+ allyship
- A highly rated keynote on exactly how to become a better ally
- Story telling and tested methodology to promote inclusive thinking
- Simple actions to create supportive workspaces where everyone can thrive
Charlie brought an amazingly authentic and engaging approach to telling her story and this has proven inspiring to many in attendance, with the programme being rated as “highly recommended” by 93% of attendees. We would wholeheartedly recommend working with Charlie and hope to do so again in the future.”
— Sean Holmes, Chairperson, BMW Group UK PRIDE
“Charlie was great, her story was really insightful, inspiring, very engaging and she delivered it with poise and emotion. Amazingly insightful and extremely powerful presentation. Huge respect to Charlie said the attendees – Great way to celebrate International Women’s Day.”
— Dennis Publishing
“Rarely do you get to hear such an inspirational and motivational speaker. Charlie’s presentation was empowering and thought provoking and generated so much positive debate across the community and our allies.”
— Crispin Burridge, LGBTQ Affinity Network Chair, Kingfisher Plc
