Karen Carney Keynote Speaker

Chair, Future of Women’s Football Review (2022–2023)
OBE for services to Association Football (2024)
Strictly Come Dancing champion (2025)

Karen Carney's Biography

Karen Carney OBE is one of English football’s most influential voices. A 144-cap Lioness (2005–2019), Team GB Olympian at London 2012, and a trusted authority on high performance, leadership and the evolving business of sport.

Across an elite club career, Carney delivered on the biggest stages. She joined Arsenal (2006–2009) during the club’s era-defining trophy run, before adding international experience with Chicago Red Stars (2009–2010) and returning to Birmingham City (2011–2015), where she finished the 2014 season as the WSL Golden Boot winner. She completed her playing years at Chelsea (2015–2019), bringing the same calm edge and competitive standards into every dressing room.

Off the pitch, Carney has helped shape what comes next. Appointed Chair of the UK Government’s independent review into domestic women’s football (2022–2023), she set out a roadmap to raise standards, strengthen the professional game and unlock long-term growth. Her wider work includes supporting players through transition, including The Second Half career development programme.

Carney is also a leading broadcaster and storyteller a familiar face across major football coverage, and the co-host of Long Story Short with Jill Scott (launched June 2025). In 2025, she took that presence to a new stage, winning Strictly Come Dancing and reinforcing what she speaks about best: resilience, reinvention, and performing under pressure when the spotlight is brightest.

Building high-performance teams and winning culture

Leadership under pressure: decision-making and resilience

The growth of women’s sport: strategy, governance and opportunity

Confidence, wellbeing and thriving in elite environments

Media, scrutiny and communication in the public eye

She brings the perspective of a 144-cap England international (2005–2019) and London 2012 Olympian, showing leaders how to sustain performance when scrutiny and expectations are relentless.
She shaped the future of the domestic women’s game as Chair of the UK Government’s independent review (2022–2023), giving organisations a clear view of standards, governance and growth levers in fast-scaling markets.
She translates elite performance into practical lessons on culture, accountability and decision-making, grounded in experience across top clubs and the highest levels of international competition.
She is a trusted football broadcaster, including as Sky Sports’ lead pundit for WSL coverage (from 2021), bringing sharp, accessible analysis that helps audiences think clearly under pressure.
She is recognised nationally with an MBE (2017) and an OBE (2024), reinforcing the credibility and integrity she brings to leadership conversations.