Geoff Thompson was appointed to the GB Sports Council/Sport England in 1990 and served an unprecedented four terms, following an outstanding career in karate. He was five times World Karate Champion from 1982 – 1985 and holder of many national and international titles. As one of Britain’s most successful sportsmen of the 80’s, Geoff established himself as a sports politician, corporate coach and motivational speaker.

In 1993 he set up the internationally renowned Youth Charter, a UN accredited NGO and UK based charity, which over the last 18 years has been at the forefront in the social and human development of sport and cultural activity legacy projects, programmes and policy nationally and internationally. In 1995 Geoff received an MBE for his services to sport. In 2008 he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Law from the University of Roehampton and in 2009 he received an Honorary Fellowship to the University of Central Lancashire.