An inspirational female speaker can motivate your team, drive innovation, and highlight the benefits of a diverse workforce. Female business leaders, particularly those in less-female-oriented roles (such as STEM fields), serve as invaluable role models, showcasing the impact of diversity and the importance of representation within the workplace and society.
Furthermore, female speakers are not just for female audiences; they offer valuable insights that can inspire all genders. By sharing their experiences and perspectives, female speakers discuss a myriad of topics, including challenges women face in the workplace and society. They can guide organisations to support gender equality, respect women’s voices, better understand women’s health and promote diversity in leadership roles.
Through their stories and expertise, female speakers encourage personal and professional growth, fostering an environment of mutual respect and collaboration. Their presence challenges outdated norms, opening minds to the importance of inclusivity and empowering everyone to thrive together.
Female speakers also play a significant role in events like International Women’s Day (8th March), which celebrates women’s achievements and advocates for gender equality in the workplace and women’s health.
At Great Business Speakers, we specialise in connecting you with the perfect female speaker for your event, whether virtual or in-person. Our selection of experienced and influential speakers will inspire, engage, and drive meaningful conversations, helping your business embrace diversity and empower women in leadership.
Discover our leading Female Business Speakers below, or contact the team at Great Business Speakers to enquire or book. +44 1753 439 289
Bridgid Nzekwu has spent over 20 years at the top of British television news. She has been part of the Channel 4 and ITV News teams, presenting national bulletins as well as London programmes.
After battling Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and Breast Cancer – resulting in a double mastectomy – years of hormone treatment and a 10 hour open heart operation, Bridgid Nzekwu is an advocate for physical and mental health and wellbeing and is well-placed to work as a keynote and motivational speaker on resilience. Entering a predominately white, male and Oxbridge-dominated industry such as the media newsroom could have been a barrier to her, but she forged on, becoming the UK’s first female mixed-race newsreader.
Bridgid Nzekwu is now a sought-after presenter, corporate host, panel chair, speaker and award-winning media trainer. She has worked with large corporations, SMEs, public sector bodies and industry groups. Bridgid completes detailed research on the client and the subject, before giving advice on content, as well as hosting virtual and live award ceremonies and interviews.
Laura Henry-Allain MBE is a global award-winning producer, consultant, educationalist, and keynote speaker. She is also the mother of two grown-up sons, one of whom is autistic.
She is the creator of the well-loved BBC cartoon JoJo and Gran Gran, which is based on the relationship she had with her own grandmother. The series was produced by BBC Studios Kids &Family, and she is the associate producer.
In 2021, Laura received an MBE for Services to Education as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual Nursery World Awards.
Blaire Palmer is the authority on disrupting the future of leadership, and wants to provoke senior leaders to think more critically about the idea of work and leadership itself.
After starting her career as producer of the BBC’s Today programme, she took the leap from this safe and respected job to train as one of Europe’s first corporate coaches and start her own company. Since then, she has worked with many multinational corporations and organisations such as Mattel, Airbus, Roche Pharmaceuticals and the FA.
Blaire can help make sense of the perfect organisational storm of generative AI, hybrid working and the long tail of the pandemic, growing understanding of mental health, the rising cost of living and cost of supply, and global unrest.
Lara Morgan is CEO/MD of consumer services businesses with global experience and a track record of delivering accelerated and exceptional growth. She is an inspirational leader with a legacy of building world-class teams and aligning organisations with a clear strategy.
Having started as a salesperson Lara Morgan continues to practice daily the art of selling and creating win-win customer partnerships. Relentlessly learning Lara has specific expertise in strategy, customer insight and brand development, multichannel and multisite management and organic or M&A and partnership driven expansion.
Bianca Miller-Cole is an award-winning Entrepreneur and personal brand expert; having founded the ‘go-to’ business for harnessing workforce potential.
The business has an impressive list of clients including HSBC, Accenture, AMEX, CMS LLP, PWC, Barclays, EY, Google, LSE, UAL, BT, KPMG to name a few. Bianca was honoured as a ‘Forbes 30 under 30’ for her commitment to e-commerce and retail via her diverse hosiery brand, which she pitched in the final of The Apprentice in 2014.
Bianca Miller-Cole ’s business influence also resulted in her being awarded a Top 10 ‘Power Profile Leader’ via LinkedIn out of 20 million members, alongside Richard Branson. She appears in the Top 50 Future Leaders lists for the Financial Times HERoes (women only) and EMpower (ethnic minority) lists for her success in business. She is the co-author of the bestselling book Self Made: The Definitive Guide to Business Startup Success and uses her spare time to mentor a growing community of budding entrepreneurs.
Lady Michelle Mone, Baroness of Mayfair OBE, is one of the most sought-after inspirational speakers of our time. Recently voted the UK’s Number 1 Woman speaker, she is best renowned as one of Britain’s most influential ladies; both an entrepreneur and an advocate for equality for women in business.
Founder of Ultimo Brands International, the UK’s leading lingerie brand for the last two decades, she set out with a vision of helping women look and feel they’re very best. It was upon that simple concept Baroness Mone built her career and influence, being honoured with a Life Peerage to the House of Lords by the Prime Minister and an OBE from Her Majesty the Queen for her outstanding contributions to the business.
Baroness Mone grew up in the impoverished East End of Glasgow when, at the age of fifteen, her father fell ill and was subsequently declared paraplegic and wheelchair-bound for life. This forced Michelle to leave school without any qualifications in search of full-time employment, sparking her instinct for entrepreneurship. At the age of just 22, she excelled herself to Head of Sales and Marketing in Scotland for the Glasgow-based Labatt’s Brewers, however, was made redundant after two short years.
Bev Jones is an award-winning transformational speaker, author and panel host who shares her expertise on preventing and dealing with burnout. Her expertise comes from her lived experience, having battled burnout during a 30-year senior management career.
Bev’s battle with burnout saw her crash through self-harm, paranoia, anger, loneliness, and even suicidal thoughts. While it was the saddest and darkest part of Beverley’s life, she now sees it as one of life’s greatest gifts.
During her transformation and recovery, Bev decided it was her life mission to not only help others avoid what she had gone through but also support others to achieve calm in their lives. Her personable character shines through in her thought-provoking talks. Her honest, authentic account about the dark days of burnout are delivered with humour and her audience receives practical tips to take away.
Bev Jones has spoken at many events of all sizes for organisations such as Welsh and Southeast Water, NHS, HSBC and Mars Ltd. She is also regular panel host and member for organisations such as the Welsh Assembly and Lloyds Bank.
Known for her work as the first female Political Editor for Sky News, Beth Rigby is a highly experienced news reporter, focussing on the UK Government and politics in general.
Since joining the channel in 2016, Beth has covered important current topics, including general elections, Brexit, and the COVID Pandemic.
Named the “stand-out political broadcaster of our times” by the Royal Television Society, Beth is a popular face on our TV screens and is now a highly respected political speaker for corporate events.
Dr Ozak Esu is a multi-award-winning professional electronic and electrical engineer and STEM advocate from Nigeria.
Growing up in Nigeria, motivated Ozak to pursue engineering by the challenges posed by electricity shortages. Her aspirations revolve around making meaningful contributions to the development of enduring and sustainable solutions.
“Developing a new method, improving an existing engineering method, mastering a new software, technique, opportunities to travel for work, and successfully managing a project from concept design to construction excite me.”
Benita Matofska is a world-renowned keynote speaker, award-winning social entrepreneur, and future-change consultant, helping businesses and leaders thrive amid disruption. She delivers bold, actionable insights on leadership, innovation, AI, automation, smart cities, and business transformation—always grounded in people, purpose, and measurable impact.
Author of Generation Share—named by Forbes as a top read for building a positive future—Benita translates complex global trends into clear, practical strategies for resilience, sustainability, and growth. Her mission is simple yet powerful: to future-proof organisations while creating lasting social, economic, and environmental value.
With over a decade of research and innovation experience, Benita has inspired global audiences at leading events. She has also appeared on major international platforms, including TEDx, BBC World, Channel 4 News, UNESCO, Discovery Channel, CNN, and Number 10 Downing Street.
Benita’s work has been recognised with multiple accolades, including Ogunte Best Social Business Leader (UK & World), NatWest Venus Entrepreneur of the Year, Inspirational Woman of the Year, and the Cabinet Office/Nesta Innovation in Giving Award.
An RSA Fellow and influential media commentator, Benita is known for delivering more than talks—she creates unforgettable experiences that spark real change and leave audiences ready to transform their businesses and the world.
Dr Misha Engineer MBBS BSc (Hons) MBA has significant experience in building resilience.
From NHS doctor to joining the family business to starting her own high-growth, social impact business, achieving considerable success and selling her stake within 6 years of inception; Misha has been recognised independently by the London Business School Review as one of the ‘30 People Changing the World’.
Dr Michelle P King is an international expert on inequality and organisational culture, a bestselling author and award-winning speaker.
She is a senior advisor to the UN Foundation’s Girl Up Campaign and previously held the position of Director of Inclusion for Netflix, and Head of UN’s Women’s Global Innovation Coalition, working to achieve gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Dr King holds a PhD in Organisations and Management and has been named a Top 100 Woman at Davos, a LinkedIn Top Voice for Workplace Equity, and shortlisted for the Thinkers50 Talent Award. She currently leads Performance, Culture, Learning and Talent at HSF Kramer, having previously held roles at Netflix and UN Women. Her work has featured in Harvard Business Review, The Economist, and CNBC.
She regularly provides keynotes, fireside chats and masterclasses with leading companies like Fifa, Guardian, Amazon, Dior, FedEx and Morgan Stanley. In 2020, Michelle founded The Culture Practice, a global consultancy which provides organisational leaders with inclusion coaching needed to create cultures that value difference.
Belinda Parmar OBE is an expert in Human Leadership in AI, a diversity campaigner, CEO of The Empathy Business, and a Non-Executive Director for the Ministry of Defence.
As one of the world’s leading authorities on empathy, technology, and business performance, she uses the science of empathy to change the way companies transform their organisations, focussing on leadership, operations, and communications. She has spent over 20 years helping global companies, including Lexus, Lloyds Bank, Barclays Bank, AGL, Toyota, and Aston Martin, turn empathy from a soft aspiration into a hard commercial advantage.
She is the creator of the Global Empathy Index which was published in the Harvard Business Review- the first index to measure empathy and inclusion at scale.
A dynamic entrepreneur and keynote speaker, Belinda has a proven track record in delivering change management programs for major businesses and governments. Recognised by the World Economic Forum as a Young Global Leader, Belinda has spoken at Davos and has received an OBE for serves to women in tech.
With a background in opera, Beatrice Freeman’s presence on stage is unique.
In 2008, Beatrice Freeman decided it was time to move away from Opera and retrain. As a result of the British recession at the time, Beatrice focused her attention on marketing and started working in cybersecurity. In the process, she established herself as a top networking strategist and was interviewed in the national press. It resulted in workshop requests and this is how her company ‘Personal Connection’ was born.
She published her top tips on building a sustainable network in the book Introverts Make Better Networkers: How Anyone Can Succeed at Networking.
Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson is one of Britain’s greatest Paralympians, having competed in five Paralympic Games and winning 11 gold medals, 4 silvers and 1 bronze.
She is widely acknowledged as one of the most gifted and courageous sportswomen of her generation.
Tammi is also a Crossbench Peer in the House of Lords, motivational speaker and broadcaster. In recognition of her service to sport, Tanni was made a Dame in 2005, while in 2010, Tanni became a life peer and was conferred as Baroness Grey-Thompson with a position as a crossbench peer in the House of Lords.
Dr Makaziwe Mandela was born in Johannesburg, South Africa and is the eldest daughter of Evelyn Mase and Nelson Mandela.
After attending high school in Swaziland, she went on to study for her BA degree in Social Work at Fort Hare University in the Eastern Cape, followed by her Honours Degree in Sociology at the University of Natal in Durban.
Dr Makaziwe Mandela is an inspiration to all, a passionate campaigner and speaker for diversity and inclusion, female empowerment, social justice, economic deprivation and education.
Baroness Floella Benjamin is a much-loved TV presenter, stage actress, author, producer, businesswoman, and diversity speaker.
She is probably best known for being the iconic presenter on BBC’s children’s programmes Playschool (1976-84) and Playaway (1977-84), through which she became a nationwide star.
Thanks to her media career and charity work, FFloella Benjamin was awarded a BAFTA Special Lifetime Award in 2004 and the J.M. Barrie Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012.
Kelly Armatage is a coach, trained counsellor, cognitive behavioural therapist, TEDx speaker and the inventor of the cognitive tool, The A.S.K Technique.
She has facilitated over 15,000 seminars, 1:1 sessions, and therapy clinics in the UK, USA and Middle East. She is a media favourite, having appeared in The Huffington Post, The Sunday Express, and Women’s Health magazine, to name a few.
Throughout her 20+ year career, Kelly’s mission has been the same, “to help alleviate suffering through internationally acclaimed therapy tools, courses, sessions and seminars”.
“If your dreams don’t scare you, they are not BIG enough.”
BBC Bitesize science presenter Ayo Sokale possesses an array of talents and expertise, placing her at the cutting edge of the ever-evolving scientific, environmental and media landscape. She is a civil engineer, keynote speaker, entrepreneur, CEO, and the Former Deputy Mayor of Reading.
Ayo Sokale is widely recognised as one of the fastest engineers to achieve Chartered status. With an extensive background in delivering flood risk management projects, managing teams, supervising engineers, and influencing policy through key committees, Ayo is a dedicated advocate for engineering and sustainability. She works as a Major Project and Programme Delivery Business Manager for The Environment Agency.
With experience in engineering, sustainability, diversity, mental health and the environment, Ayo Sokale is the perfect inspirational and motivational speaker for a range of engagements.
Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock is a passionate space scientist, television presenter, author, and STEM speaker.
In 2009, Maggie was awarded an MBE for her services to science education. Her first TV programme, Do We Really Need the Moon? (2011) brought her to the attention of the masses and showed that space science needn’t be difficult to access and understand. The show earned her the Talkback Thames New Talent Award in December 2011.
She has since won several awards for her expertise, including the ‘Out of the Box Thinking Award’ by Yale University, and the William Thomson, Lord Kelvin Medal and Prize by the Institute of Physics for her public engagement in sciences.
She has also been named an honorary doctor of science by the University of Bath, University of Leicester, and Loughborough University, and has been recognised on the UK Powerlist’s ‘Top Most influential Black People’ three times.
Katie Prescott is a familiar writer and voice to millions as The Times Technology Business Editor and, before that, a Business Presenter for Radio 4’s Today Programme and a Business Correspondent across BBC News.
She was a business correspondent across a number of platforms including television, radio, websites and social media.
Katie has presented as far and wide as Tanzania to Rwanda, Northern Ireland to Russia, China to the USA – where she worked for the BBC’s New York Bureau.
She is also a confident conference moderator, event host and keynote speaker.
Dr Lynda Shaw is a cognitive neuroscientist and business psychologist who works with senior leaders and wider teams to better understand the emotional responses of clients.
Together with her clients, Dr Lynda aims to harness this knowledge to improve business culture, unite managerial teams, ensure employee job satisfaction and turn fear and stress into profit and loyalty. Together this is achieved through consultation, workshops, coaching, group mentoring and keynote presentations.
She is an experienced entrepreneur having owned three businesses including a health club with 2000 members and 20 staff. She is also a business psychologist and holds a doctorate in neuroscience, specialising in the unconscious processing of emotion and communication. She works with senior leaders and their teams who want to better understand the emotional responses of clients and colleagues and harness this power to increase business growth and dramatically improve communication and long term business relationships.
Ayishat Akanbi is a fashion stylist and visual expressionist. Since making her entrance onto the fashion scene in 2010, she has been a stylist for high profile celebrities in music, sport, TV and film.
Ayishat Akanbi has worked with several clients on ITV’s The X Factor, including JLS and their member Aston Merrygold when he was a judge on Sky’s So You Think You Can Dance. She has garnered the attention of many music artists and TV personalities due to her unique ability to understand an individual’s political, psychological and artistic beliefs and use this to influence their style.
Combining her passion for fashion with her belief in socio-political ideas, Ayishat has an influential voice in both the academic and creative worlds.
Katie Bulmer Cooke is a professional speaker and young entrepreneur with vast experience in delivering to the health and fitness industry and business arena. She has a unique ability to inspire SME’s, students and employees with her down-to-earth style and usable business takeaways.
If you want humour, truly useable content and a fresh and motivating experience, then you need to look no further.
Fitness entrepreneur Katie, began her journey in the world of business at the age of 16, setting up exercise classes in her hometown of Sunderland. Fast forward 14 years and Katie is now selling her fitness DVDs and online training programmes in the 11 countries across the world, as well as educating her fellow fitness professionals on how they can grow their businesses and developing new group fitness concepts for leisure trusts, councils and the private sector.
