His clear career highlight, however, came on home waters in 2012 when, in one of the most thrilling finishes of the entire London 2012 rowing regatta, Williams, along with crew-mates Richard and Peter Chambers and Chris Bartley, were ultimately pipped by South Africa by a quarter of a second in a four-way fight for the medals.

The 28-year-old combined his pre-Olympic training with completing a PhD in X-ray crystallography and will now focus on working as a trader with banking firm Goldman Sachs.

Rob Williams (second right) celebrates the silver medal he took on home waters at London 2012 ©Getty Images



"Ultimately, I feel very fortunate to have had such an enjoyable career, making some good mates and winning a solid handful of medals, all of which culminating in a fantastic summer in 2012," Williams reflected after announcing his retirement.

Positive sentiments were echoed by Sir David Tanner, performance director of British Rowing, who described how Williams "converted his significant talent in our sport to great effect".

"He will be a great asset to his employers and we wish him well with the future," he added.

Williams is the latest in a growing list of London 2012 rowing champions to leave the sport, following the likes of New Zealand's double scull winner Nathan Cohen, Britain's men's coxless four Olympic champion Tom James and South African men's lightweight coxless four Olympic champion Matthew Brittain.