Keith Smith

Schoolteacher Keith Smith was the head of the history and politics department at the Whitgift School in Surrey, England. Smith began teaching at the school in the 1980s where he spent more than 35 years of his life. In 2013 he was awarded with an MBE for his services to the Combined Cadet Forces in Whitgift and the local youth offender team. While at Whitgift Smith was responsible for introducing fencing to the school in 2000, a sport he dedicated as much time to as his teaching.

Smith won the Public Schools foil championship in 1980 and fenced for the England under-18 foil team. While studying history and politics at the University of Birmingham he fenced for the university, the British Student team, and the West Midlands. By 1992 Smith had become a FIE referee across all three fencing disciplines and officiated at the 1992, 1996, and 2000 Olympics. In addition to other multiple international competitions he also officiated at the Fencing World Championships from 1990 to 2004.

In 2000 Smith was elected as the President of the British Fencing Association, a position he held until 2012. During this time he organised the Belfast Junior & Cadet Fencing World Championships in 2009 and co-organised the 2011 European Championships. From 2005 to 2009 Smith also served as the Vice-President of the European Fencing Confederation.