THE world’s number-one freestyle kayaking champion will inspire the region’s bosses to power their businesses to new heights at this year’s Be World Class conference in Newcastle.

Claire O’Hara will join a prestigious line-up of top achievers, including multi-award-winning chef Kenny Atkinson of Rockliffe Hall and Linda Conlon, chief executive of the Centre for Life, to help business leaders and entrepreneurs harness world-class techniques to outperform and outstrip their competitors.

With a powerful track record which spans four world championship medals, three European championship medals and five British champion titles, O’Hara will reinforce the importance of making every second count.

“Much of my training focuses on examining the finer details of my performance,” she said.

“By analysing my moves and routines I can maximise on every second during a routine to ensure the best possible score in the knowledge that it can make the difference between being first and third.”

The conference at Newcastle’s Life Science Centre on Thursday, October 18, is spearheaded by Be World Class founder and host Simon Hartley, a leading sports psychologist, author and performance coach who worked with double Olympian and Commonwealth champion swimmer Chris Cook for seven years.

Hartley said: “The addition of Claire O’Hara to our line-up of speakers complements the conference’s wealth of knowledge and expertise.

“Claire’s unique skills will provide an interesting take on how even the smallest detail can affect your performance.

“The event presents a unique opportunity for attendees to understand what makes world-class individuals tick and how they tackle adversity and set-backs.

“With four years of flat growth predicted, every business leader will benefit from the insights of our speakers to help them to survive and thrive in today’s turbulent economic climate.”