Their journeys often involve overcoming challenges, taking risks, and innovating within competitive industries, which gives them unique insights into what drives business success. Entrepreneurs bring practical insights into running a business, from scaling operations to managing finances and leading teams. Their experiences of both failure and success offer valuable lessons that resonate with audiences. Beyond practical advice, they inspire with their resilience, creativity, and problem-solving skills, emphasising the importance of persistence, adaptability, and vision. As keynote speakers, entrepreneurs provide a clear understanding of the strategies and mindset needed for success, motivating attendees to pursue new ideas, overcome challenges, and innovate in their own ventures. Some of our top entrepreneurs are known for popular TV shows like Dragon’s Den and The Apprentice, lending them credibility and adding expert knowledge that resonates with audiences. Their personal stories of triumph and adversity provide valuable lessons for navigating the competitive business world, making them an excellent choice for business-oriented events.
With access to a wide range of accomplished entrepreneurs, including those with notable media presence, Great Business Speakers can match you with a speaker who aligns with your event’s objectives and audience. Whether hosting a corporate seminar, conference, or virtual event, we ensure you have the right expert to elevate your event and deliver key insights for business growth and success.
Discover our Entrepreneurs below, or contact the team at Great Business Speakers to enquire or book. +44 1753 439 289
Olamide ‘Ola’ Majekodunmi is a renowned financial expert and the founder of All Things Money, an online platform dedicated to providing young adults with valuable financial tools to navigate the challenges of adult life.
The platform offers a diverse range of personal finance tips and information, covering topics such as budgeting, saving, investing, and mortgages. Additionally, All Things Money hosts a podcast that further expands on these financial topics.
Nisha Menon is a medical microbiologist turned mumpreneur who is the Director of Nikasu Foods & Founder of Jack & Chill
The businesses have an impressive list of clients globally including celebrity chefs, fine dining restaurants, pub chains, stadiums and high-end health stores.
She was nominated to attend the FORTUNE Most Powerful Women Summit in London & is 3 times Finalist of Croydon Business Awards.
She has contributed and been featured in various press articles including BBC news, Femina magazine, Empowered Magazine & The Telegraph. She also runs a Facebook Group (UK Importers Hub) which supports over 2.5K businesses who import goods into the UK.
Nicola Cook specialises in helping business leaders create accelerated growth and scalability in their sales function.
Nicola is constantly invited to speak at international conferences and her firm, Company Shortcuts was a finalist in two categories at the prestigious BESMA (British Excellence in Sales & Marketing Awards) in 2016, making the finals in the ‘Best sales trainer in the UK’ category, and ‘Best Training centre’.
Nicola herself is a past winner at the North East Women Entrepreneur of the Year Awards in 2012, is a Fellow of the ISM (Institute of Sales Managers) and most recently has been added to the Smith & Williamson Power 100, which celebrates the top 100 individuals who help shape policy, champion, mentor, support and promote entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship in the UK.
Nick Lyth is the Founder and President of Green Angel Syndicate, the only angel investment syndicate in the UK specialising in the fight against climate change. He works with entrepreneurs, companies and investors who want to do more about the issues relating to climate change.
In 2013 Nick Lyth set up the Green Angel Syndicate as an experiment to fight climate change and global warming. From its inception with just ten members, and two company investments it has since grown and now has more than 300 members, 44 companies in its portfolio.
Under Nick’s presidency, Green Angel Syndicate has also launched its first EIS Climate Change Fund, attracting a £10 million commitment from BBI’s Regional Angel Programme, and was UK Angel Syndicate of the Year in 2019.
Nick Lyth has been asked to speak at numerous conferences around the UK and Europe on matters concerning sustainable resources, and has been invited to assess innovation competitions in the UK run by the Technology Strategy Board (now Innovate UK) and Scottish Government.
Over the last two decades, Nick Hewer has firmly established himself as one of the nation’s favourite TV personalities and presenters, as well as a highly experienced business expert.
As the former host of Channel 4’s iconic show Countdown (2012-2021), Nick delighted millions of viewers with his wonderfully dry sense of humour and warm appreciation for the contestants.
An expert in public relations, Nick offers a unique opportunity as an event speaker, able to share his extensive business and PR knowledge as well as his experience in the public eye as a TV presenter. His status and delivery ensures the audience is captivated and entertained.
Natalie Fée is an award-winning environmentalist, sustainability author, keynote speaker, compere, former TV presenter and founder of City to Sea. She’s passionate about helping organisations engage their teams with sustainability goals and explore how nature connection drives productivity, wellbeing and ESG commitments through her keynote talks and Nature Governance Consultancy.
She has a unique gift for bridging the worlds of environmental action, nature connection and workplace transformation, and after a decade founding and leading City to Sea – one of the UK’s leading organisations combating plastic pollution globally – Natalie is now a sought-after speaker and event host, from corporate keynote speeches to environmental panels, staff talks to intimate dinner events. She manages to combine rigorous science with lived experience, hard-hitting facts with warmth and optimism and brings a wonderful, inclusive energy to events of sizes.
With over 20 years’ experience in television and media, Naomi Sesay has devoted her career to serving as a powerful advocate for diversity and inclusion, and trail-blazer for social enterprise.
Recent roles at Channel 4 included On-Screen Diversity Executive and Interim Head of Diversity & Inclusion. She also worked as Head of Innovation and Diversity for Media Trust.
Mounia Berrada-Gouzi is an experienced multilingual presenter, event host & personal coach, being expert at engaging people in an authentic, creative and powerful way.
Mounia speaks Native English and German, fluent French and Spanish and basic Arabic.
She is in demand throughout Europe for expos, conferences meetings and events, conducted in multiple languages.
Founder of Little Venice Cake Company Mich Turner is a qualified Food Scientist and has over 25 years experience in the industry.
She is described as ‘Queen of Couture Cakes’ thanks to her multi-award-winning designs and A-list clientele. Among her many accolades, Mich has been named as Harper’s Bazaar & CHANEL Entrepreneur, and her company recognised as a Walpole Luxury Brands of Tomorrow. A successful writer and author of six internationally bestselling books.
As well as live demonstrations Mich hosts awards and is an accomplished speaker on business and entrepreneurship, creativity and what drives her own inspiration as well as a light-hearted insight into the world of celebrities through their cakes.
Liz Earle MBE is a global brand pioneer; co-founder of the multi-award winning eponymous beauty brand, she is also the editor of her own magazine, a podcaster, charity philanthropist and best-selling author of over 35 books.
An expert in her field and an inspirational female entrepreneur, Liz can speak on a range of topics and will captivate audiences of all ages and industries.
Liz Barclay is a TV presenter, radio broadcaster, producer and writer with an expertise on money and finance, particularly alongside small businesses.
Liz was appointed the Small Business Commissioner in 2021. Her role is to spearhead the national effort to crackdown on poor payment practices affecting small businesses – sometimes these businesses do not receive the money they are owed, and they are forced to shut. The position was first created in 2016 to help these small and medium sized companies secure the payments they need and deserve.
Lisa Baskott is the award-winning founder and CEO of 2nd Line of Defence, a private security recruitment agency that focuses on filling roles with a new, diverse and inclusive workforce. The business was an Enterprise Vision Awards winner in 2023 in the New Business category.
As part of her commitment to serving the community, Lisa Baskott has been a Magistrate for 11 years, sitting as a Presiding Justice in both the Adult and Youth Courts in Sussex. In 2021, Lisa was one of seven newly-appointed regional Inclusion and Diversity Magistrates (IDM).
Lisa became a qualified Security Industry Authority (SIA) licensed door supervisor in 2021. She is celebrated for her commitment to advancing diversity and inclusivity within the private security industry and is especially focused on getting more women into the frontline security sector.
She has written numerous articles on the subject, has appeared on national television and radio, as well as being interviewed on many podcasts.
“I want to spread the word that if a black Brixtonian Rastafarian can make it with just a sauce, then you can make it too.”
The incredible rise of musician Levi Roots to Business legend is one of the most heard-warming success stories of the country. He made the big time by producing his Reggae Reggae Sauce, a delightful mix of barbecue and jerk sauce that won an exclusive contract in 2007 with Sainsburys, becoming their fastest ever selling product.
Prior to his business success, he had been making the sauce from his home kitchen with the help of his seven adult children, selling it at various small London outlets. His secret recipe was inspired by his grandmother, Miriam Small, who taught him to cook from the age of nine in Jamaica. He had the recipe in his head for years but didn’t start producing it until 1991 at the Notting Hill Carnival – where his ‘Rastaurant’ was a popular feature for over two decades.
As a keynote and after-dinner speaker, Levi infuses his performance with anecdotes, insights into entrepreneurship and inspiring the next generation of business leaders.
Lena Thompson has over 15 years of experience in the corporate industry, consulting, training and designing systems for clients including Anglo-Irish Bank, Microsoft, and Morgan Stanley.
In 2019 she left that world in order to find her passion and purpose in life.
Now, Lena is an award-winning entrepreneur and an international speaker on a mission to bridge the gap between the corporate and spiritual worlds. She believes that the real key to success and happiness is self-knowledge.
Jeff Dewing is not your typical speaker. He’s an International Energiser, Founder and CEO of Cloud and author of the bestselling business book Doing the Opposite, where he underpins his philosophy that the best solution is often not the obvious one. By doing the opposite of the expected, you can generate astounding results.
His journey to success is a testament to this belief. Jeff’s first business went bankrupt, leaving only £7.60 in his bank account, while also relying on benefits.
Jeff refused to give up. Instead, he turned his life around, learnt to code and started Cloud from his garden shed. He built it from the ground up to a £70M turnover without a penny of investment.
Jeff has since worked with some of the world’s biggest brands, including Tui, Pizza Express, Chiltern Railways and The Rank Group.
In a landscape where businesses seek a catalyst for change, Jeff uses his decades of lived leadership experience to shake things up, reignite passion and challenge leaders to rethink their ways of working. Jeff does things differently.
For instance, he gives his team two paid hours per week for reflection – a simple yet powerful practice that has improved employee wellbeing and doubled Cloud’s engagement levels compared to industry standards.
Jamie Crummie is an award-winning social entrepreneur, keynote speaker, and changemaker, known for empowering individuals, teams, and organisations to create positive impact and drive meaningful change. His work focuses on sustainability, social innovation, and tackling global challenges through purpose-driven action.
Originally trained as a lawyer, Jamie redirected his career to address the environmental and ethical crisis of food waste. He went on to co-found Too Good To Go, the world’s largest platform for surplus food. The popular mobile app connects consumers with restaurants, bakeries, cafés, and supermarkets offering unsold food at reduced prices—food that would otherwise go to waste.
The platform supports businesses in reducing waste while helping consumers make more sustainable choices, and has grown into a leading force in the global fight against food waste.
Jamie is widely recognised for his thought leadership in sustainability, food systems, and environmental innovation. He is a sought-after public speaker at conferences, corporate events, and academic institutions. His accolades include being named in Forbes 30 Under 30 and other international honours for his entrepreneurial impact.
James “JP” Poulter is a leading AI strategist, keynote speaker, and founder of ThreePoint Labs, an AI transformation consultancy helping organisations navigate the shift to intelligent working with clarity, ethics and purpose.
Former CEO of Vixen Labs – a voice AI company he founded and sold to House 337 in 2023 – and previously Head of Emerging Platforms at The LEGO Group, JP brings rare depth across both start-up and enterprise scale. He has advised organisations including Amazon, Verizon, Bosch and Universal Music, delivered more than 250 keynotes worldwide, and is a committed advocate for ethical AI implementation, serving on the board of Christian Aid.
James is a popular speaker on technology and innovation. From the future of work and emerging technologies to creating innovation culture within organisations and how they can adapt to new ways of working – especially since the COVID-19 pandemic.
In March 2025, James delivered his first TEDx talk for TedX Tamworth, entitled Double Edged – Learning to Live With AI; in the walk, he unpacked the consequences of the coming AI age for each of us to ensure our communities thrive and survive.
James Peach is a leader, brand director, adventurer and keynote speaker, specialising in inspiring your employees, leaders, students and communities to be the best version of themselves.
Over the past 15 years James has built some of the most successful brands in the tech and consumer goods industries, from Innocent Drinks, to Uber and Vinted. He’s also supported start-ups from seed to sale, and mentored young leaders in honing and developing their skills.
James will soon launch his first book Mattering To People: How to Build an Interesting Business and a Powerful Brand.
Best known for his stint on Dragons’ Den (2007-12), James Caan CBE is a successful entrepreneur, investor, philanthropist, and author.
He is the founder of headhunting company Alexander Mann, management advisory company Hamilton Bradshaw, and investment company Recruitment Entrepreneur. In 2009, James worked with the UK Government to create the iAwards to support innovation in the UK. Three years later, he was appointed the Chairman of the UK Government start-up loans scheme.
James now utilises his years of experience by being an in-demand keynote speaker, event host, and conference panellist. He has worked for companies including Google and Samsung, and appeared at events such as The Business Show, and the MADE Festival. A veteran of entrepreneurship, James inspires his audiences with anecdotes and motivational tips.
James was appointed a CBE in 2015 for his services to entrepreneurship and charity.
Helen Gibson MBE is an award-winning international business entrepreneur, speaker, author and leadership expert.
Helen is CEO of Agencia, which delivers meaningful, sustainable and beneficial change to organisations. Under her leadership, Agencia has delivered on the frontline with health, justice, policing and security services. With an impressive client list including the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, NHS, PwC, the EU and the United Nations, Agencia has successfully delivered in 27 countries.
Helen Gibson MBE has an understanding of the challenges facing countries in conflict and transition. From many modern-day issues such as terrorism, corruption, cybercrime, pandemics, addiction and migration, the work of Helen’s company has affected millions of people around the world.
In 2022 Helen was awarded an MBE by the Queen for services to international trade.
Heather Mills is a philanthropist, activist, entrepreneur and world-record holding athlete.
Heather has made a vast impact with her charitable work, helping people affected by war and disability. Her passion is for helping people overcome diversity, something she herself had to do in 1993 when a collision with a motorcycle resulted in the amputation of a leg.
She founded a charity responsible for clearing 21 million square metres of land mines across the world and helping hundreds of thousands of amputees receive artificial limbs. Her inspirational work has touched many globally.
Heather is also passionate about creating healthy, sustainable, plant-based nutrition, food and cosmetics products, with a range of products across these industries.
Harpreet Kaur is a British businesswoman and media figure who rose to national recognition as the winner of Series 16 of BBC’s The Apprentice in 2022. She is the founder of the dessert company Oh So Yum! and has since become a well-known voice in the entrepreneurial and business world, regularly appearing as a keynote speaker.
Following her victory on The Apprentice, Harpreet secured a £250,000 investment from Lord Sugar, partnering with him to accelerate the growth of her brand. Remarkably, within just a year, she had successfully regained full ownership of her business.
She is a sought-after speaker, sharing insights on entrepreneurship, female leadership, resilience, media, and navigating the food industry. Her engaging style and honest storytelling have resonated with audiences across the UK and beyond.
She has partnered with an impressive roster of international companies, including Adobe, American Express, BBC Earth, Dell, Fiverr, Indeed, Mercedes-Benz, Sage, Samsung, Tide Banking, and Xero, bringing her expertise and entrepreneurial experience to a wide range of campaigns and events.
Gary Usher cut his teeth at the Michelin starred Chester Grosvenor, followed by time spent at Chapter One, Chez Bruce, York & Albany and Jamie’s Italian.
Gary opened Sticky Walnut in Hoole, Chester, in 2011 on a budget that meant he had to famously choose between a combi-oven or new tables and chairs.
‘The Rebel Chef’ now has 6 restaurants in the North West including Sticky Walnut, Burnt Truffle, Hispi, Wreckfish, Pinion and Kala.
Claire Harper is an expert in retail, marketing, change management, branding and enterprise. Having worked for prominent UK brands including Argos, Ocado, Sainsbury’s and Mamas and Papas, and run her own award-winning best of British kids’ clothing brand IndiaCoco, Claire is one of the UK’s most formidable business leaders.
Claire Harper’s journey from senior corporate leader to business entrepreneur and sought-after consultant is inspirational and full of messages gleaned from working at the very heart of business.
