ONE of Britain’s most successful sportsmen will provide an inspirational talk to delegates at the Kirklees Business Conference next month.

Simon Jackson, who has amassed trophies and medals galore in a 20-year career, will speak at the Galpharm Stadium event about how obstacles and challenges in life and business can only make you stronger.

Simon has won three Paralympic, three World and 16 European gold medals.

He won his first Paralympic gold aged 16 in 1988 at Seoul and went on to defend his title in 1992 at Barcelona and in 1996 at Atlanta.

He received the MBE in the 1997 New Year’s Honours for his services to judo.

Danny Matharu, of Birstall-based Hillrich, which is organising KBC 2011, said: “Simon is without doubt the most driven and focused person I have ever met.

“His experience and tunnel vision to success will strike home to all business owners who see him.

“His story is magnificent – but what makes him successful will be the key for KBC delegates, as this is what can be transferred into any business.”

In 2008, a niggling back injury saw Simon look beyond the judo mat, where he discovered tandem cycling.

Within three weeks of his introduction to four-time World Tandem Sprint and Kilometre Champion Barney Storey, Simon and Barney were recording times that placed them firmly inside the top three in the world.

Simon is now a full-time Tandem Sprinter and wowed the crowds in the 2008 Paralympic World Cup where he won two silver medals after just five weeks on the tandem.

Simon commented: “I consider myself to have two disabilities – one is I'm visually impaired and the other one is that I have to be the best at whatever I do!”

Hundreds of people have signed up for the Kirklees Business Conference, which last year saw more than 750 local business owners visit across the day.

Alongside the seminars is an exhibition hall housing more than 50 local companies with unlimited networking. For more info and to book your tickets visit www.kirkleesbusinessconference.co.uk