These experts can drive improvements in both individual and organisational performance by emphasising key areas such as mental resilience, focus, confidence, and mindset. Enhancing mental resilience enables employees to manage stress and pressure more effectively, reducing workplace stress and fostering a healthier work environment. As a result, mental well-being is improved, and productivity soars. Prioritising your organisation’s and its employees’ mental health is crucial in creating a thriving, high-performing workplace.
Great Business Speakers offer personalised support to help you find the right fit for your organisation. They can create tailored shortlists, ensuring that you hire a speaker who aligns with your specific needs and goals. These experts can provide insightful and actionable strategies, guiding teams to build resilience and foster an overall culture of growth and success. With their expertise, companies can enhance employee engagement and drive long-term success through improved resilience and mindset.
Discover our Resilience Speakers below, or contact the team at Great Business Speakers to enquire or book. +44 1753 439 289
Beatrice Kabutakapua is an inspiring Business Storytelling Coach who works with businesses and organisations, helping them utilize storytelling to enhance employee engagement and enable leaders to be more authentic, ultimately creating a happier, more inclusive workplace culture.
She has worked with companies such as Aviva, Booking.com, Netflix, and Save the Children to drive communications and leadership transformation across their teams.
Simon Hartley is a globally respected performance coach and sport psychology consultant. For almost 30 years, he has worked with world records holders, gold medallists, top five world-ranked professional athletes, world champions, Olympians, and Championship winning sports teams.
In 2008, he founded Be World Class, where he coaches individuals, teams, and organisations to help maximise their performance, and work towards becoming world class in their field. Through his work, he has worked with international rugby teams, Formula 1, cricket, and NFL, as well as with organisations such as Proctor & Gamble, NatWest, and Sky.
He is also a successful writer, and co-host of The Podium Podcast and The Demon Charmers Podcast.
He has since applied the principles of sport psychology to the world of business, healthcare, education, charity, and military. Simon is now a very popular motivational keynote speaker.
Rob Forkan and Dr Roisin O’Regan are the co-founders of Preveo, where they revolutionise the approach to corporate wellbeing.
Dr Roisin is a former Urgent Care Physician and GP, and is currently the Chief Medical Officer of Preveo; Rob is also the co-founder of Gandys alongside his brother Paul, and together they sell travel clothing in order to help fund life-changing projects across the world.
Jessica Matthias is the Global Director of Sustainability at Sabre Corporation, a global technology company in the travel sector. With a 17-year track record of transformative ESG initiatives, impactful policy advocacy, and compelling communications, Jessica is a globally recognized leader in sustainable travel. She’s the visionary behind numerous high-profile sustainability campaigns, and her thought leadership consistently shapes the industry’s agenda.
Jessica Matthias is a compelling speaker known for her ability to inspire and engage audiences – with previous engagements at events like the Global Travel & Tourism –resilience & Innovation Summit, The Travel Tech Summit, and the Travalyst Convention.
Jessica Matthias discusses eco-conscious practices, overcoming personal challenges, and building a sustainable future for travel– with her insights into decarbonising industries and empowering the next generation in the ESG landscape being particularly impactful.
Jessica’s personal journey is one of resilience, from being a teenage single mother of a child with severe disabilities to a leading global sustainability expert. This adds a distinctly personal depth to her talks. Her unwavering commitment to sustainability and social equity has made her a prominent voice in the field, sought after for her expertise and inspiring presentations.
For the last year, she has been the Vice Chair of the GBTA Foundation’s Sustainability Leadership Council.
Jessica Matthias’ clients include Arival, Choice Hotels, FairFly, Gett, the United Nations, the Vienna Tourist Board, and Voyage Privé.
Jason Leonard is a former professional rugby union player widely regarded as one of the greatest props in the history of the sport.
During his 14 year international rugby career, he won a then-record 114 caps for England, won four Six Nations Grand Slams and the 2003 Rugby World Cup.
Part of the British & Irish Lions team, Jason went on three tours and was a member of the Lions squad that won the test series during their 1997 tour of South Africa. He played club rugby for Barking RFC, Saracens and Harlequins, making 290 appearances for his club, Harlequins, spanning both the amateur and professional game.
In 2002, Jason earned an MBE for services to sport, which became an OBE after England’s Rugby World Cup success. He was inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame in 2014.
Jason retired from Rugby in 2004 and since then has continued to play an integral part in global rugby and has become a sought-after corporate and entertainment speaker.
Jane Leonard is a fearless adventurer, accomplished entrepreneur, elite England rugby player, and celebrated author.
Her remarkable journey demonstrates that anything is possible with determination, resilience, and an unrelenting drive to succeed. With an infectious personality and a natural ability to inspire, Jane thrives in team environments where her leadership and energy elevate everyone around her.
Jane’s passion for breaking boundaries doesn’t stop at the Channel. Four years earlier, she earned a Guinness World Record for rowing across the Pacific Ocean as part of a three-woman team.
Previously, Jane Leonard spent a decade in the British Army as a Royal Engineer and Physical Training Instructor and also earned nine caps for England rugby.
She is a published author and the creator of The P.I.E.C.E by Piece Peak Performance Program, which helps people improve their performance in life.
When Jane takes the stage as a motivational speaker, audiences are captivated by her authenticity, insight, and incredible journey. Her talks leave attendees inspired, energised, and equipped with actionable strategies to overcome their challenges and reach new heights.
Hayley Mulenda is one of the most inspiring young voices in the UK currently. An established keynote speaker, consultant, and change agent, Hayley has worked all over the world, from the Middle East to North America and Africa.
With over 180,000 social media followers, Hayley has her finger firmly on the pulse when it comes to helping Gen Z and millennials with their mental health and well-being.
Named as one of Black Business Show X HSBC’s ‘Top 25 Black Entrepreneurs to Watch in 2024’, Hayley’s story is not short of difficulties.
After nearly taking her life when she was 18 years old, she had a profound realisation about the growing impact that mental health issues are having on millennials. This experience ignited her passion to make a difference to others. Her personal journey and insights have made her a credible advocate and speaker for mental health and wellbeing, diversity, and inclusion.
Hayley has spoken on stages such as Wembley Arena, and counts KFC, KPMG, META, Microsoft, Unilever, Wagamama amongst her clients. On top of this, she serves on the board of Wagamama to help the company engage young people from diverse backgrounds and is a Governor at St Angela’s Ursuline School.
Andrew Scott is a globally recognised serial entrepreneur, CEO and expert on leadership, business strategy, marketing and personal development.
He is one of the UK’s leading entrepreneurs and business experts, with an incredibly powerful story that will leave people on the edge of their seats, inspired, and full of hope.
Andrew grew up on the back streets of Belfast during the ‘Troubles’ in Northern Ireland, and at 4 years old, he survived the Abercorn atrocity, when Irish terrorists set off a bomb in a packed city-centre restaurant.
After five years of recovery, both physically and mentally, Andrew left Ireland at 18 to start a new life in London. He vowed to turn his trauma into a purpose to live life at the highest level and help others do the same.
Andrew went on to become a self-made millionaire, entrepreneur, investor, advisor and founder. With unique insights and decades of real-world experience as an entrepreneur, CEO and advisor across multiple industries, Andrew has developed a powerful blueprint for extraordinary success.
Akil Hunte is a multi-award-winning lawyer, consultant, spoken-word poet, social entrepreneur, and diversity speaker.
Growing up in a single-parent household, as a black man from inner city London, Akil Hunte has had to navigate many challenges over the years; from being hit by a car to witnessing the Grenfell Tower fire, he has triumphed over trauma to thrive on his professional journey. He made history as the first student to win the Dean’s Award at the University for two consecutive years. He was named the Outstanding Alumni by Nottingham Trent University in 2023 and was a Rising Star in the Legal 500 ESG Awards.
In 2019, Akil Hunte was among the 30 people selected to be listed in that year’s edition of GUAP Magazine’s #TheBlackList2019 30 Under 30s, which celebrates young black creatives and professionals. He is a popular keynote speaker, discussing everything from law to diversity and equality. He has worked with clients including Nottingham Trent University, LinkedIn, Hogan Lovells, Clyde & Co, Freshfields, and CEL Solicitors.
Abigail Ireland is a Peak Performance Strategist, international keynote speaker, coach, and facilitator.
Passionate about inspiring her audiences to bring their A-Game, Abigail Ireland is the founder of Understanding Performance, a leadership and training consultancy helping clients perform at their best in a sustainable way.
Her expertise is in high demand and she has been featured in a range of HR and media publications, including GQ Magazine, HR Magazine, and the ILM.
Rob Law is an inventor, entrepreneur, writer, and founder of the Trunki suitcase.
Despite the suitcase being rejected on Dragons’ Dens, he went on to sell over 5 million, before leaving the business in 2023.
He is also the co-founder of science-based sleep company Zeepy, and data-lead business Aphelion Agency, who help brands reach their full potential on Amazon.
In 2020, he published 65 Roses and A Trunki: Defying the Odds in Life and Business, where he tells his story of a life-long battle with Cystic Fibrosis, losing his sister to the same illness, and defying the limits put on him at birth to build a globally successful brand.
In 2011, he was awarded an MBE from the late Queen for services to business, an Honorary DEng from Bath University in 2015, and an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Business Administration from UWE in 2018.
Now an inspirational keynote speaker, Rob often talks about innovation, leadership, and resilience in a personal and professional capacity.
Tom Scudamore is a retired jockey who amassed over 1500 victories in his 25 year racing career with a place in the top 10 most successful jump jockeys of all time.
Scudamore’s most notable win came on Thistlecrack in the 2016 King George VI Chase at Kempton. Other notable wins include the Mildmay Novices’ Chase at Aintree in 2013, Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot in 2015 and the Finale Juvenile Hurdle at Chepstow in 2020 as well as ten Cheltenham Festival victories.
Following a number of episodes of concussion caused by falls and after being unseated from his horse during a race in February 2023, Tom made the decision to retire with immediate effect.
Since retiring Tom has made a smooth transition to media and broadcasting, starting at Ascot in 2023 when he was part of the ITV presentation team.
Tim Bradshaw is a former British Army Intelligence Officer and a graduate of the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. His work as a Covert Human Intelligence Officer and Target Acquisition Patrol Soldier saw him recruit and run foreign agents worldwide.
Tim founded, and is a director of, Sandstone Communications, and international leadership and team building consultancy. He is Chief Executive Officer of the Sandstone Foundation delivering resilience workshops to schools and young people. His experience and understanding of creating influence, building resilience, and leadership forms the basis of the work he carries out with clients and audiences worldwide.
He explores why leaders and teams are so often misguided by prioritising perception over reality. Too often processes override outcomes and decisions are left to one or two individuals. A fear of failure, and its repercussions means people avoid being associated with those decisions instead of being a part of them.
Combining the inspirational with the practical, Tim explores the common mistakes and important lessons in creating influence and resilience within teams and clients. It starts with intelligence, not information.
“The acquisition of real-world wisdom is attained through lived experiences in the real world…it is not necessarily found in the pages of books.”
Victoria Humphries is a three times Guinness World Record holding polar adventurer, mountain climber, marathon runner, businesswoman, and author.
She prides herself on being just your average ‘normal’ woman, who happens to believe that anything is possible if you put your mind to it. She believes that life is full of challenges, but we have two options – step forward, or run away; be overcome by the enormity of it, or be brave and step up.
“What’s the worst that could happen? Just give it a go!”
Many organisations underperform because their people are getting in their own way! This is often exemplified when finger-pointing and making excuses start to become the norm within your teams. Is it time to shift the mindsets of your people, in order to create a culture of resilience, high performance and inclusion within your organisation?
Winston Ben Clements is an in-demand diversity and inclusion consultant specialising in anti-racism, disability awareness and unconscious bias. He is passionate about supporting the world’s leading organisations to deliver cultural change that is truly inclusive.
Winston Ben Clements wants to create a world that is truly inclusive for all in it. His ultimate mission is to inspire 1 billion people to unleash their full potential regardless of circumstance.
Performance coach Martin Robert Hall is an in-demand consultant to top athletes, ambitious individuals and leaders, and up-and-coming and established organisations, where he helps them to become the best they can be and to be able to perform consistently at a high level.
With his work praised by football manager Sir Alex Ferguson, he was awarded Business Coach of the Year in 2018 at the International Coaching Awards.
Offering consultancy, coaching, courses and workshops, Martin is also a popular keynote speaker, working for the likes of Zurich Insurance, Vitality Health, Hilton, Weetabix, Blackburn Rovers and Manchester United.
Marlo Clarke is an engaging Personal Development Speaker, empowering individuals to find their purpose in the present moment while navigating the uncertainties on the path to achieving their goals.
As a former Barbados international rugby player, charity and business director in the USA and UK, and two-time TEDx Speaker, Marlo Clarke’s extraordinary journey has taken him to present to a diverse range of audiences, from Fortune 500 companies in the USA to rural schools in South Africa.
Throughout his travels across three continents, Marlo has interviewed hundreds of individuals from all walks of life, including CEOs, politicians, students, and young professionals, listening to their stories and learning about their struggles and triumphs.
Through his global journey Marlo identified the profound truth that many people pursue success without a clear personal definition of what it is to them.
Mark Soden is a former professional rugby player who uses his experiences to coach others on improving their performance, specialising in leadership, team and individual development.
His days playing rugby led to a deep interest in what makes teams and leaders shine, excel and develop and following his sporting career he applied this understanding in military organisations, other high-risk industries such as energy, shipping and construction, in the world of professional sport and in the corporate environment.
Since his sporting days, Mark Soden has worked with many teams and leaders, learning a lot about what motivates people and realising what inspires him. Mark now helps people have the difficult conversations, come to an uncomfortable but important place, to take the brave action needed to move forward and grow, be better and greater.
It was his dream to surround himself with a committed, caring and dynamic team who shared his love of helping others grow and be better. In 2015 he formed Cleartrack, an agency providing leadership, coaching and human factors programmes.
“A game-changing speaker everyone will remember forever” – Pierre-Olivier Landry, Head of HR, Ceva Logistics
Mark Denton is a keynote speaker on ‘Collective Performance’ – how leaders earn belief and teams align and execute as one. He speaks at the intersection of leadership, teams, and change, where collective performance is either strengthened or fractured under pressure.
A podium-winning round-the-world skipper, Mark led 17 amateur sailors – 70% complete novices – across 32,000 miles of extreme weather, conflict, and relentless challenges. He had zero command authority, could not hire, fire, or coerce anyone. Commitment had to be earned, and what emerged was a unified, high-performing crew that defied expectations and reached the podium.
The experience forged a powerful truth: Collective performance happens when leaders earn belief, ownership is shared and execution becomes collective.
“The only science I know is business management. That is the science I used in order to plan my world-run and deliver it, throughout. There is no secret. If you use the right methodology, if you are consistent and committed, there is no reason you will fail.”
Marie Leautey is a record-breaking runner who, in 2022, became the fastest woman to run around the world, running an incredible 698 marathons in just 825 days. But she hasn’t finished yet. In 2025 she aims to run across Africa, leaving Asia and Antarctica the only continents left.
Just one of seven people who have completed a run round the world, her journey epitomises the values of adaptability, commitment, integrity, passion, and resilience, and it is this combined with her corporate know-how that resonates with audiences.
She is also an experienced Chief Financial Officer with over 20 years’ experience in the corporate world, an author, and inspirational keynote speaker, and conference host.
Mandy Hickson stands as a beacon of determination and excellence in aviation, having carved a path where few women had ventured before. As the second female pilot to fly the Tornado GR4 on the front line with the Royal Air Force (RAF), her journey is both inspiring and instructive for audiences across the UK.
She was awarded an RAF flying scholarship aged just 17 but initially failed the computer-based tests taken by all RAF pilots. Undeterred, her self-belief and determination persuaded the RAF to take her on a test case, thereby overcoming insurmountable hurdles.
Since hanging up her flying goggles in 2019, she now shares her experiences of working within an elite team with audiences of all sizes, including her online following of over 24,000. Her keynote speeches often cover risk taking, decision making under pressure, and the critical role of the human in the system.
In today’s high-pressure business world, companies can often struggle to maintain resilience, teamwork, and peak performance; they can struggle with decision-making in times of uncertainty, while teams can break down due to bad communication and distrust.
Mandy Hickson brings unmatched expertise from one of the most critical environments imaginable—the cockpit of a fast jet. Her insights are particularly valuable to corporate audiences, where parallels between the cockpit and the boardroom offer fresh perspectives on leadership and crisis management.
Aged 13, Tim Peake had a dream of becoming a pilot. This dream became a reality when he took control of an aircraft for the first time. By the time he was 18, he had already flown numerous solo sorties and been awarded a coveted position to join the British Army Air Corps.
Tim served as an army officer in Northern Ireland before gaining his Army Flying Wings in 1994. He trained as a combat search and rescue instructor, and flew operations to enforce the peace and provide humanitarian support in the aftermath of the Bosnian War.
Maggie Alphonsi is arguably one of the most popular and well-known faces of international women’s rugby and women’s team sports in general. Before announcing her international retirement in 2014, she represented her country an impressive 74 times, scored 29 tries, won a World Cup and helped England win a record-breaking seven consecutive Six Nations crowns.
Maggie Alphonsi is also a household name in the media, commentating on live rugby matches and featuring in a range of media outlets including Stella magazine and The Telegraph newspaper, as well as Children in Need, The Wright Stuff, Good Morning Britain, and A Question of Sport.
Establishing a reputation as a successful woman in a male-dominated sport is no easy feat, and combined with racial discrimination, gave Maggie the toughest of challenges to face. When booked as a speaker, her extensive anecdotes provide inspiration in the world of elite sports, leadership, pressure management and diversity.
Sir Clive Woodward is the World Cup winning Head Coach who led England’s rugby players to World Cup glory in Australia in 2003.
A former England International and British & Irish Lion himself, during Clive’s tenure as Head Coach England moved from 6th in the world to being the number one ranked team, winning every trophy an England team can win.
