Olympic cyclist Dan Bigham inspires Oxford Brookes students with career insights
Olympic medallist and Oxford Brookes University alumnus Dan Bigham returned to campus to give an inspiring talk at an employability event.
The Inside Track, Oxford Brookes’ annual employability event for Sport and Coaching Sciences, took place on 3 March on Headington Campus. The event was attended by students, alumni, industry professionals, and University staff.
Dan, who won a Silver medal in the Track Cycling Team Pursuit event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, is also an aerodynamicist and performance engineer. He currently works as Head of Engineering for the Red Bull BORA-hansgrohe World Tour cycling team.
Sharing his journey from student to elite athlete and engineer, Dan offered valuable insights into a ‘reverse engineering mindset’—strategically mapping career goals and working backwards to achieve them.
Speaking at the event, Dan said: “Your career isn’t something that happens to you—it’s something that you design. To engineer your own success, say yes to uncomfortable opportunities, develop skills beyond your core discipline, actively seek feedback, and build your network strategically. Enjoy the process!”
Speaking alongside Dan was Andy McGill, Higher Technical Education Manager at the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA). Andy underscored the value of professional status and recognition in the industry while shedding light on the changing career pathways in sport and physical activity.
In addition to the inspiring talks, the event provided a platform for discussions between students and industry professionals. Attendees explored opportunities for placements, internships, and graduate roles, while the networking session allowed them to connect with experts, seek advice, and take important steps toward their careers.
From left to right: Kit Cutter, Senior Lecturer and Sport and Coaching Sciences Employability Lead; Dan Bigham; and John Brierley, Senior Lecturer and Deputy Programme Lead.
Kit Cutter, Senior Lecturer and Sport and Coaching Sciences Employability Lead at Oxford Brookes, said: “It is fantastic to see The Inside Track reach its tenth year. A decade ago, I was in the students’ shoes, and a conversation at this event led to a work experience opportunity that I credited to my degree. That experience turned into a paid coaching role, which helped part fund my Master’s and ultimately paved the way for my current position. Therefore, it is a privilege to host this event, which continues to fulfil its core purpose: connecting people to and within the sector. I encourage conversations to continue beyond this event, whether by sharing key takeaways with peers or spreading the word about The Inside Track within your circles, to extend its impact further.
“A huge thank you to our keynote speakers, practitioners, alumni, students and staff for attending and making this event a success."
Practitioners in sport, physical activity, health, or education who are interested in joining the 2026 Inside Track can contact Kit Cutter at kcutter@brookes.ac.uk.