Today Cardiff Business Club welcomed its new President, Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson to the home of Glamorgan County Cricket Club in Sophia Gardens Cardiff.
Introduced by Robert Lloyd Griffiths (Director ICAEW Wales), Baroness Grey-Thomson addressed 180 members on a range of topics from her childhood experiences of education, how she developed an interest in sport, becoming a member of the UK House of Lords, sitting as a cross-bench peer and employees needing to become fitter.
It is clear the Baroness takes her work in the House of Lords very seriously, with a genuine desire to ensure fairness, equality and greater considerations for women and disabled people in all areas of life, but transport being a particular sphere of focus.
Entertaining and self-deprecating, the Baroness' passion poured out in an often joyous and poignant talk. One issue that is of great interest to me in my capacity as a GP, as it is to many disabled people and certainly the Baroness, was the Assisted Dying Bill currently on its legislative path through Parliament. On whatever side of the argument you may sit, we can be assured with Baroness Grey-Thompson in the vanguard, the plethora of pros and cons will be scrutinised in forensic detail.
One of the greatest Welsh and British athletes, it is a pleasure to have witnessed her numerous successes. She has done so much for athletics in Wales, sport in Wales and for those children who bore witness to her many achievements; Paralympian sport across Wales, Britain and the world.
How the Baroness gracefully hides her spirited, indeed feisty personality is a true conundrum. To listen to her superbly balanced talk was as special as cheering on Baroness Grey-Thompson when she was competing as Tanni Grey.
This tour de force, intellectual and all-round outstanding human being, was a magnificent speaker. A must hear.
Diolch yn fawr iawn i Clwb Fusnes Caerdydd. Yet another excellent speaker and another brilliant event.