By the time he carried the GB flag at the Opening Ceremony of his fifth Olympic Games in Beijing (2008), Mark was already one of the country’s most celebrated athletes. Now, still one of Britain’s best recognised Olympians, Mark remains a figurehead for British Swimming, as well as a champion and vocal advocate on discussions around LGBT+ diversity and inclusion.

Having internalised and avoided the question of his sexuality throughout his career, Mark decided to share his story in 2017, in part to be true to himself and those going through a similar struggle, but also to challenge the casual levels of homophobia and prejudice prevalent in society. This is now a focal part of his corporate offering, as Mark speaks candidly about the impact it had on his swimming career.

After a career which saw Mark win 51 international medals and set 8 world records, Mark moved seamlessly into the studio for the Delhi Commonwealth Games. Having been recognised in 2012 alongside Clare Balding for their coverage of the London Olympics, Mark has been a mainstay on the BBC where his insight, clarity of thought and natural chemistry in front of camera is held in very high regard.

Away from the pool, Mark’s dalliance with wearing very little continued with an acclaimed appearance in The Real Full Monty in 2012, having temporally covered up (to much fanfare) during his stint on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing. Mark teamed up with Strictly’s Ian Waite and Natalie Lowe as part of their Fit Steps dancing fitness classes, providing nutritional information and lifestyle advice for subscribers. Since then he’s become a global ambassador for his signature range with Ted Baker, created a swimming line and founded a grassroots swimming academy putting on clinics for aspiring youngsters throughout the country.