Leadership speakers offer valuable insights into team dynamics, essential leadership skills, and creating a positive, growth-focused workplace culture. They help leaders understand and connect with their teams, enhancing communication, decision-making, and collaboration. Through keynote talks and interactive workshops, both employees and managers can develop vital leadership qualities such as empathy, resilience, and strategic thinking. These attributes are key to building a united, motivated team that drives business success. By focusing on the importance of positive leadership and teamwork, businesses can maintain competitiveness and adaptability in an ever-changing market.
Our exceptional Leadership speakers play a transformative role in shaping teams and organisations, whether at live or virtual events. They motivate, educate, and inspire attendees to rethink their approach to leadership and teamwork. In live sessions, speakers create engaging environments where employees can interact, ask questions, and practice new skills. Virtual events provide the flexibility to connect with remote teams and global audiences, extending the reach of valuable insights. Both settings ensure leaders and teams gain practical tools and strategies to improve performance, strengthen relationships, and lead with confidence.
Discover our Leadership Speakers below, or contact the team at Great Business Speakers to enquire or book. +44 1753 439 289
Richard Gerver came to prominence when, as a headteacher, he turned around a failing school in the UK in under two years and is now one of the most influential experts on change and human leadership, helping those struggling with uncertainty and change caused by rapid and dramatic shifts in technological, economic, political, health and environmental developments.
Now a prominent expert in the industry, Richard has been named the UK Business Speaker of the Year at least three times, contributes courses to LinkedIn Learning, and has published several books on key themes to great acclaim.
His compelling insights into the nature of leadership, adaptability, and innovation have earned him standing ovations on the world’s most respected stages, including TED, the RSA, and BBC Radio. He works with organisations at the forefront of global innovation and excellence including Visa, Microsoft, Deloitte, Google, TUI and Morgan Stanley and has worked with some of the world’s most iconic retail organisations including Harrods in London.
From his years building up a failing school to working alongside Google and Microsoft, Richard has a rare ability to connect his experiences to each client. His speeches are informative, humorous and entertaining, with delegates inspired to expand their own thinking and increase their potential.
“The World’s Greatest Living Explorer” – Guinness World Records
Sir Ranulph Feinnes is one of the most famous explorers and adventurers in the world, having led more than 20 expeditions to all corners of the globe. He reached the summit of Mount Everest in 2009 – becoming the oldest person at the time to do so – was the first man to cross both polar ice caps and climbed the North Face of the Eiger, a mountain in Switzerland.
His expeditions have raised vast sums of money for various charities, so not surprisingly, he was awarded an OBE in 1993 for human endeavour and charitable services. Thanks to the money he has raised, in 2010 he was named as the UK’s top online fundraiser by JustGiving.
Extreme dedication and determination have enabled him to become one of the most prolific explorers in the world, qualities he hopes to share with his audiences. He is inspirational, educational and humorous, and always manages to motivate delegates to achieve their goals.
A celebrated authority in brand management and innovation, Rafe Offer has held senior positions with the some of the world’s largest companies.
As Global Marketing Director for Disney, he pioneered the now infamous “having fun never goes out of style” campaign and, during his tenure, Disney’s sales of adult merchandise grew from $50m to $800m.
Following a further highly successful spell as Global Marketing Director at Coca Cola, where he was responsible for a staggering $1.2 billion of global sales, he was appointed Director of Innovation at Diageo.
Tasked with creating their entrepreneurial business unit, his core responsibility lay in finding new revenue sources while strengthening the core drinks business and brands.
R. Michael Anderson’s unique combination of real-life experience of founding, scaling and exiting three software enterprises, matched with his masters degree in psychology, is the reason he’s trained leaders at some of the most successful companies in the world including Microsoft, PwC and Salesforce.
In addition, he’s authored a number of best-selling leadership books, contributes to entrepreneur.com and was once named Social Entrepreneur of the Year.
His popular book Leading the Next Normal: A Guide to Building an Engaged, Resilient and Agile Virtual Workforce (2021) teaches managers and executives how to successfully navigate the chaotic world we currently live in.
Given he’s 6′ 8″ tall, you can’t possibly miss Michael, and it also explains why, in a former life, he was a professional basketball player!
Professor Beverly Alimo-Metcalfe, a Chartered organisational Psychologist, has an international reputation in the field of leadership studies – an area of interest for over 30 years. She has a passionate interest in translating rigorous applied academic research into a form that is practical and accessible to organisations. She supports Boards and Executive Teams of organisations to embed the ethical application of leadership, increase valuing diversity, and strengthening their capacity for engagement, collaboration, innovation and effectiveness.
While Chair of Leadership Studies at the University of Leeds, as a result of ground-breaking research into the nature of engaging leadership, involving over 6,000 managers and professionals in the NHS, wider public sector, and FTSE100 companies, Beverly Alimo-Metcalfe established a Leeds University spin-out company, Real World Group.
The company undertakes research into leadership, culture, governance, diversity and inclusion, creates robust diagnostic instruments that are utilised worldwide, and undertakes major cultural transformation projects across the public and private sectors.
Phil Jones MBE is Managing Director of Brother UK, an Information, Communication and Technology business supplying products and services to hundreds of thousands of UK enterprises.
Starting as a fax salesperson at Brother UK in 1994, he worked his way up through the business to be appointed its leader in 2013. What makes him unique is that he is leading a large business and can share relevant insights for B2B audiences based on the very latest insights and experiences as a leader.
Appearing at over fifty business conferences, sharing his views around Leadership, Effective Thinking, The Winning Patterns of Successful people and Workplace Culture, he describes himself as a ‘practivational’ speaker, keen to provide practical insights and actionable outcomes for a keynote audience or as MC for a conference.
Awarded an MBE in the June 2016 Birthday Honours List for Services to Business, he is a fellow of the IoD and a Companion of the Chartered Management Institute, among a list of other business accolades.
Phil Holdcroft is a former combat pilot whose 20-year career saw him dodge bullets on the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan and extend to executive senior leadership of Defence, shaping Britain’s future on the global stage.
With an inspiring story like no other, Phil Holdcroft triumphed over adversity in every chapter of his remarkable life. He has made it his mission to share his powerful and transformative lessons, equipping others with the knowledge, skills, and mindset to achieve extraordinary results.
Phil is committed to pushing the limits of what is possible; he has tested his mind and body through record-breaking feats, as an elite endurance athlete and extreme adventurer, including rowing unsupported across the Atlantic Ocean.
The most daunting challenges have been thrown at him by life itself. Phil talks openly about ‘unravelling’ when his youngest daughter was diagnosed with leukaemia. An event he describes as “more harrowing than the terrors of battle or the fiercest of ocean storms”.
Phil Hesketh is a professional speaker on ‘The Psychology of Persuasion and Influence’. He combines a powerful mix of well-researched and persuasive techniques with his unique sense of humour. He inspires, entertains and informs audiences on how buying, selling and persuading can influence work. He is an inspiration, motivational and thought-provoking and all his techniques can be implemented instantly.
Phil Hesketh read psychology at Newcastle University before becoming a sales graduate from Procter & Gamble. In 1986, he started his own advertising agency – Advertising Principles – where he was also the business director and managing partner. Over 17 years of continuous growth, Philip had grown it from a business with zero clients to one bringing in £48 million with 150 employees, working alongside clients such as the BBC, General Accident, HSBC, Nestle and Walt Disney. He then sold the company with the aim of becoming a full-time professional speaker.
There was no denying Phil’s intentions; he set out to become the best speaker on the planet, and after speaking for more than 1,000 events in over 20 countries from the UK to Australia, it’s clear he has achieved his aim.
Wanting to reach people that couldn’t attend his events, Phil put pen to paper and has written a number of critically successful books including How to Persuade and Influence People, Persuade, The Seven Golden Rules for a Happy and Successful Life, and Life’s a Game so Fix the Odds.
Penny Power OBE is a UK entrepreneur, international public speaker, author, and community builder.
In 1998, ahead of LinkedIn and Facebook, Penny Power and her husband created “Ecademy,” a platform which connected business people to one another with strong values around deep connections, honesty and the culture of “friendship first”. It grew to include 650,000 business members across 52 countries.
Approaching business in a highly personal way, she performed her first Public Speech in 2001 to BT, with the topic of Emotional Wealth and its impact on Financial Wealth.
Penny has always approached business in a highly personal way. Culminating in her authoring her book in 2019 Business is Personal which shares the importance of respecting that our personal life and attitudes impact our business life and visa versa.
Paul Spiers is a highly-skilled, strategic brand, communications and leadership consultant, keynote speaker and facilitator with over 20 years creative industry experience.
A respected thought leader and advocate for a ‘New P&L’ for Business – based on Principles & Leadership not just Profit & Loss, Paul is on a global mission to rid businesses of their ‘vinyl values’ – empty slogans, propositions and statements, replacing them with a commitment to authentic and principled leadership and purpose-led business.
Paul Spiers is a highly engaging, thoughtful and inspiring keynote speaker, panel moderator and roundtable facilitator.
Speaking and facilitating at conferences in the UK and internationally, Paul provides insightful and thought-provoking observations and practical examples of how to apply the power of purpose, creativity and Principles and Leadership in business. Audiences come away inspired, with new ways of looking at leadership and their roles at leaders.
Paul Sloane is an entertaining, thought-provoking, motivational speaker and a recognised expert on innovation, lateral thinking and leadership.
He is the author of 17 books on lateral puzzles, creative problem-solving and lateral leadership. Over 2 million copies of his books have been sold.
He was described in the Independent as the ‘King of Lateral Thinking Puzzles.’ He is the founder of Destination-Innovation, a consultancy that helps organisations improve innovation.
Paul McGee is one of the UK’s leading speakers in self-help, particularly in the subjects of change, workplace relationships, customer service, leadership, wellbeing, resilience, communication and motivation. He educates companies on how to survive and thrive in challenging times, how to work under pressure and how to inspire others in the workplace.
His daringly titled book SUMO (Shut Up, Move On) became an instant bestseller, and his book on self-confidence reached number one in the WH Smith business book charts, where it remained for a further 24 weeks. The radio host Chris Evans has described Paul’s books as “a gift to the world”.
He has appeared on BBC Breakfast television, and Question Time alongside David Dimbleby, and is a regular contributor on radio shows for the BBC and Radio 5live.
Building on his psychology background, Paul’s aim is to deliver practical, relevant messages that can make an immediate and long-lasting impact on people’s professional and personal lives. He brings a sense of fun to his sessions, seeking to deliver a memorable and humorous experience that equips people with insights and ideas to increase their personal effectiveness and impact.
Paul Iske is a professor at the School of Business and Economics at the University Maastricht in the Netherlands, focussing on Open Innovation and Business Venturing, as well as co-founder of numerous innovative and ingenious companies.
His years of experience have seen his work awarded the Banking and Finance Innovation Award in 2008 and a nomination in 2014 for Corporate Innovator of the Year at the Accenture Innovation competition.
As well as being a genius thinker on innovation and business, Paul is a highly popular and in-demand keynote speaker, event host, and moderator.
Paul Craven is a London-based specialist in the area of Behavioural Economics and the Psychology of Investment. The founder of Paul Craven Partners Ltd, he is dedicated to helping his clients enhance their business communications, decision-making and sales skills.
Paul is also an independent adviser on the Akzo Nobel (CPS) Pension Fund and the British Steel Pension Fund.
With over 30 years of investment experience, with Schroders (1986-2003), PIMCO (2003-2007) and Goldman Sachs (2007-2013), he is the perfect speaker to help motivate your employees, incorporating his business knowledge into insightful masterclasses which are suitable for teams of all sizes, however large or small.
“Paolo Taticchi is one of the best strategists in Europe” – Jan Muhlfeit Ret. Chairman, Microsoft Europe
Paolo Taticchi is a Professor in Strategy and Sustainability, and School Deputy Director (MBA, Global Engagement, Executive Education) at UCL School of Management.
Paolo’s research on corporate sustainability and performance measurement is internationally recognised. To date he has written five business books, such as Disruption and Sustainable Transformation Strategy.
Paolo Taticchi has significant consultancy experience in the fields of strategy, education, and sustainability. He has worked in this capacity for firms of various sizes, and in a range of different industries. Today, he advises (or serves in the advisory board of) influential organisations and is one of the scientific advisors of the Ministry for the Ecological Transition in Italy.
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.
Nick Saunders is a motivational keynote speaker and training consultant with a 25 year track record of experience. He’s been lucky enough to have a career doing what he loves – helping many, many people enjoy what they do a little more by giving them the tools to make their working lives (and home lives) more productive and gratifying.
This includes helping improve relationships in all sorts of organisations, in all sorts of industries, in all sorts of countries – including the corporate/business sector, many charities and not-for profit organisations and in education (from numerous primary schools to Oxford University).
Nick Fry is the Former CEO and co-owner of Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 and was responsible for building the teams that won the 2009, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 F1 Drivers and Constructors Championships.
Nick Fry played a key role in one the most remarkable success stories in world motorsport when, together with Ross Brawn, he bought the Honda Formula One team for £1.00 in a management buyout.
Against all odds, they then won the 2009 drivers’ and constructors’ world championships under the Brawn GP banner with Jenson Button at the wheel.
Natasha Saunders is a testament to the strength and mental power inside all of us; overcoming eight years of domestic abuse, she has gone on to change laws, raise millions in funds and train various police forces and government departments on their awareness, response and wellbeing throughout the workforce.
Alongside extensive media and live tv work, Natasha delivers motivational and keynote speeches for various sectors.
Natasha also has an innovative and engaging training session to educate, support and develop both executives and staff in their approach to business and life challenges. In a progressive business landscape, Natasha can be the element to raise mental well-being and thus, productivity and motivation levels.
Michael Fuller first came to prominence in 2004 when he became Britain’s first black Chief Constable.
He served in this position for Kent Police until 2010 where he successfully led the force’s response to the Calais migration crisis and the channel tunnel fire. He has also worked with European police forces to counter Islamist radicalisation and avert terrorist incidents.
Michael Fuller also led the police response to the biggest cash robbery in Britain at the time where a group of people stole £53 million from the Securitas depot in Kent; he was instrumental in the successful prosecution of the key criminals.
Matthew Syed is one of the world’s most influential thinkers in the field of high performance and cultural change. He is an author and highly acclaimed speaker in the field of high performance.
He has written six best-selling books on the subject of mindset and high performance – Bounce, Black Box Thinking, Rebel Ideas, The Greatest, and his celebrated children’s books, You Are Awesome and The You Are Awesome Journal – and has worked with many leading organisations to build a mindset of continuous improvement.
He is also a multi-award-winning journalist for The Times and a regular contributor to television and radio.
Matt Sims is a presenter, host, speaker, coach, consultant, and transformation leader, with a proven track record of engaging and inspiring audiences. His immense passion for continuous improvement, and his diverse skill set make him the ideal choice to elevate your event.
With a career spanning over 20 years, Matt Sims has worked with some of the world’s largest organisations including Amazon and The Royal mail to educate and inspire their employees.
Matt Lindley was an RAF Pilot, specialising in flying VIPs such as The Queen, members of the Royal Family and Government Ministers, as well as flying missions in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kosovo and Sierra Leone. He is now a commercial long haul pilot.
Matt was one of the first ever gay pilots in the Royal Air Force, and is now a very influential military figure. Matt had dreamt of being a RAF pilot ever since he was a child, and he wasn’t going to let something like LGBTQ+ prejudice stand against him. His brave journey has paved the way for change in the Armed Forces and to ensure all sexualities are represented.
Matt now runs workshops and keynotes based on lessons he has learnt whilst flying, aimed at reducing human error in the workplace. He uses fascinating case studies of aircraft accident, applies basic psychology and provides lots of ‘take homes’ for any audience.
Matt Dawson is one of England’s best-loved former rugby players, and is now a prominent sport commentator, journalist, and presenter.
He played for Northampton Saints, London Wasps, and the British & Irish Lions. He won 77 caps for England and made his mark on rugby by being part of the England team who won the 2003 World Cup.
Since retiring in 2006, he has become a national TV personality, appearing on BBC’s A Question of Sport (2004-2021), Celebrity Masterchef (2006) – which he won, and Strictly Come Dancing (2006).
Matt Dawson also works as a health ambassador for Sodexo, an international food and facilities provider, and in 2014 he was appointed as Director for Business Development.
