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 Their presence challenges outdated norms, opening minds to the importance of inclusivity and empowering everyone to thrive together.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
Elizabeth Cowper brings almost 30 years of HR experience to her role as the founder of Ludo, a company that provides innovative technology solutions and HR expertise to the workplace.
As a working mother of three, Elizabeth has established a reputation for her work with renowned brands such as Planet Organic, Harvey Nichols, LVMH, and Tapestry, the parent company of Coach, kate spade, and Stuart Weitzman.
At Tapestry, Elizabeth served as VP HR Europe, Global Head of Wellbeing, and a member of the Global DEI Committee. Known as the ‘Culture Adjuster’ Elizabeth has been recognised in the HR Most Influential Awards for five consecutive years. Her expertise lies in engaging talent, promoting workplace well-being, empowering women’s success, and fostering a culture of inclusion—her speciality.
Elizabeth’s speaking engagements have included facilitating conferences such as The Retail Bulletin and participating in public and private events. She has addressed large corporate audiences and led more niche sessions with smaller businesses.
From A Wheel of Fortune to the BBC’s Changing Rooms, Carol Smillie is one of TV’s best-known faces and has won an Indie Award, a National TV Awards and a BAFTA Nomination for her TV work.
Carol has recently started working as a Humanist Celebrant and is busy writing and conducting non-religious ceremonies across Scotland.
Elif Köse is a transformational confidence coach, fashion designer and founder of The Leader Within You programme.
As a former full-time fashion designer who began her journey as an alteration girl with limited English, Elif Köse once held the belief that the key to confidence lay in finding the perfect outfit. She was captivated by the transformation of Wonder Woman, how her costume empowered her, and she emphasized the significance of outward appearance in bolstering confidence.
Contact Great British Speakers today to book the transformational women’s business coach and fashion designer Elif Köse for your next event. Through her impeccable tailoring skills, Elif bestowed a sense of empowerment upon countless individuals, even as she witnessed the weight of their insecurities. When the pandemic forced her to close her high street shop, Elif delved into personal development, unearthing a deeper understanding of inner confidence. Through a transformative journey marked by breakthroughs, she discovered that the puzzle was far more intricate than she had imagined.
Cara Roberts was born in Lancashire UK. At the age of eight, she appeared in her first professional production playing the lead role of ‘Blousy’ in ‘Bugsy Malone’ at the ‘Winter Gardens Theatre’ Blackpool.
Upon graduating from Edinburgh University Cara was offered a place at the Royal Academy of Music in London which she gratefully accepted, and partook in a year’s Diploma course in Musical Theatre.
In London, she appeared in several musical productions and played the lead role of the Witch in ‘Into the Woods’ by Stephen Sondheim. Whilst in London she received her Diploma in Television Presenting, from the Royal Academy of Film, Television and Radio.
Laura Tobin has had a varied career in weather, working first at Cardiff weather centre, providing weather forecasts for energy companies, gritters and local radios, and then at various RAF bases including RAF Brize Norton, forecasting severe weather for pilots.
She is currently one of the main weather presenters for a range of ITV news programmes.
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, personal brand strategist, executive mentor, Sunday Times bestselling author and internationally renowned keynote speaker. She initially came to prominence appearing on BBC’s The Apprentice (2014) where she pitched her idea to redefine nude hosiery. It was this commitment to e-commerce that saw her being named in the Forbes 30 Under 30 List.
With a career spanning entrepreneurship, personal branding, leadership, business growth and financial empowerment, Bianca is passionate about helping individuals and organisations turn potential into influence, opportunity and sustainable success. Bianca founded the ‘go to’ personal branding company, helping to harness workforce potential. The business has an impressive list of clients including Accenture, AMEX, Barclays, BT, CMS LLP, EY, Google, HSBC, KPMG, LSE, PWC, and UAL.
Bianca’s business influence has 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.
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.
