Our Sustainability experts bring vital insights into reducing environmental impact, optimising resources, and aligning business practices with global sustainability goals.
Speakers on the circular economy emphasize the shift from linear “take-make-waste” models to regenerative systems that reuse, recycle, and minimize waste. They demonstrate how businesses can unlock new revenue streams, enhance efficiency, and reduce dependency on finite resources. Such insights are invaluable for companies seeking competitive advantage in an increasingly sustainability-conscious marketplace.
Net-zero speakers guide organizations on pathways to achieve carbon neutrality, addressing critical challenges such as energy efficiency, renewable energy adoption, and carbon offsetting. Their expertise helps businesses navigate regulatory frameworks, meet stakeholder expectations, and build resilient operations that thrive in a low-carbon economy.
Our Sustainability Speakers inspire action and align sustainability with core business values. By fostering a culture of responsibility and innovation, they equip teams with the knowledge and motivation to lead the transition toward a more sustainable and prosperous future.
Discover our Sustainability Speakers below, or contact the team at Great Business Speakers to enquire or book. +44 1753 439 289
Oliver Balch is a widely recognised expert on sustainability and the changing role of business in society, having worked in the field for more than two decades.
Driven by the belief that the private sector can – and must – serve as an engine for positive societal change, as a journalist and researcher, he has examined the sustainability debate at close quarters, interviewing thousands of business entrepreneurs, community changemakers, and policy innovators.
Oliver’s PhD from Cambridge University focused on corporate-community relations. In early 2024 Oliver became a Senior Associate at the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership at the University of Cambridge.
Oliver is a popular keynote speaker, bringing his signature mix of solutions-based positivity to his public presentations. Sensitive to the complexity of sustainability, he is an expert at communicating what companies need to know, and how they should act.
Nick Bridge CMG has over 25 years of experience as a British diplomat, focussed latterly on the global climate and environmental crisis.
For six years, he was the UK Government’s Special Representative for Climate Change, having previously been one of the youngest ever British Ambassadors.
He brings his unique experience of global politics and the climate and environmental crises, as well as his working with six British Prime Ministers and eight Foreign Secretaries, working on global political, business, and civil problems.
Now a popular keynote speaker, Nick loves to connect deeply with his audience and speaks with passion, wit, and strategic insight about the solutions to our environmental problems.
He was made a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George in the Order of the Knighthood (CMG) in the late Queen’s 2022 Honours for services to tackling global climate change; he received his honour from King Charles in 2023.
Matt Bishop is a former Chief Communications Officer of the McLaren and Aston Martin Formula 1 teams and one of the sport’s most influential communications professionals.
With a background in journalism, Matt made his mark as the Editor of F1 Racing magazine, one of the most popular and widely-read Formula 1 publications.
In 2008, Matt transitioned from journalism to a key role within Formula 1 teams, becoming the Head of Communications and Public Relations for McLaren Racing. Matt’s unique skills helped to transform McLaren’s public and media profile, including during some of the team’s most turbulent times.
He played a key role in helping Aston Martin establish itself as a credible force in Formula 1 in 2020. During his work with the famous British brand he worked closely with 4-times World Champion Sebastian Vettel, helping the German star to become one of the most popular and high profile ambassadors in the sport.
In 2023, Matt founded Diagonal Communications, a company that provides expert communications consulting to high-profile clients in automotive and motorsport. He is also the founder and ambassador of Racing Pride, which was established in 2019 in collaboration with Stonewall to promote LGBTQ+ inclusivity within the motorsport industry.
Martin Newman, known as the Consumer Champion, is a world-renowned expert in customer centricity and customer experience.
Over a career spanning four decades, Martin has been a catalyst for positive change in consumer-facing industries. His work has revolutionised multichannel operations for brands like Burberry, Ted Baker, and Harrods, and he has successfully scaled and sold global ecommerce agency Practicology.
As the founder of The Customer First Group and Customer Service Action, Martin has been instrumental in shaping a customer-centric landscape.
With his extensive experience, Martin has been a trusted advisor and board member for a range of brands, including The Scout Store, The Mayborn Group, In Kind Direct, Clearpay, Tern, Afterpay and Marketplacer.
Martin’s insights are not just confined to boardrooms. He appears regularly on BBC TV and BBC Radio, Sky, ITV, Channel 5, and a host of other media channels, such as LBC, The Times, and FT, to discuss consumer issues related to the retail, travel, CPG, hospitality, automotive, and financial services sectors.
His expertise is widely sought after, and he has delivered captivating keynotes for prestigious global events and strategic sessions for top-tier companies like Toyota, Haleon, Specsavers, Pandora, Adobe and Meta. He not only entertains, inspires and educates, but also delivers actionable insight that can empower any business audience.
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.
Gary Foote is the Chief Information Officer and Director of Sustainability at the Haas Formula 1 Team. In a career that has spanned 20 years, he has been part of numerous Motorsport World Championship-winning teams, winning 6 world titles with drivers such as Lewis Hamilton, Michael Schumacher, Nico Rosberg, and Jenson Button.
As the CIO of the Haas Formula One Team, he is responsible for several operational departments spanning IT, Digital, Facilities, Operations, ESG, and Continuity. As the ESG lead, he drives the teams’ carbon reduction initiatives forward, manages their community outreach program, and ensures adherence to their social responsibility agenda.
Gary is an active public speaker who is often engaged in discussions on topics such as data, innovation, a high-performance mindset, team ethos and culture, sustainability and diversity, and digital transformation.
Gareth Rees, Kings Counsel, is a leading barrister with over 40 years practising in business crime and regulation with experience as a UK Regulator and as a partner in two global US law firms.
His unusual and diverse legal background allows him to stand back and see the bigger picture for corporate clients and leading business individuals going beyond the constraints of legal rules.
He now enjoys giving an oversight and his own reflections on the way law and regulation has impacted on global business and where we are likely to head next relying on experience giving advice in the UK, US, Europe, Middle East and Asia. In this arena all legal advice has to be given against a variety of cultural and political factors.
He has also provided UK sanctions advice to large global financial institutions following the Russian invasion of Ukraine and was a member of the firm’s global steering group on Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) issues advising on Modern Slavery Act issues, UK regulatory requirements on sustainability disclosures, and on Human Rights and other issues in the supply chain
Felipe Calderón is a Mexican politician who was president from 2006 to 2012. He is now also a globally recognised leader in climate action and sustainability transformation.
As the Chair of the Global Commission on the Economy & Climate, he has been at the forefront of global efforts to address climate change and promote sustainable development. His leadership in this area extends beyond policy, influencing international dialogue and driving innovation in environmental strategies.
During his presidency, Felipe’s policies elevated Mexico’s position in the global economy, turning the country into a powerful player on the world stage. His economic reforms and commitment to sustainable development have been widely praised, making him an influential figure in global politics.
Felipe is internationally admired for his role in strengthening the rule of law in Mexico, a key achievement that helped stabilise the country in a challenging period.
Felipe Calderón has received numerous accolades in recognition of his contributions, including being named Statesman of the Year by the World Economic Forum in 2012 and Champion of the Earth by the United Nations. TIME Magazine also listed him among the Top 100 Influential People in the World.
In addition to his work in climate and sustainability, Felipe serves as President of the Environment & Sustainability Commission for the International Automobile Federation, where he continues to drive environmental progress across industries.
Courtney Holm is an award-winning senior leader in sustainable business development, and a climate change adaptation specialist with a vast network and 20+ years’ experience bringing global strategic agendas to life. Driven by innovation and a passion for a sustainable and equitable world, she is an influential voice across sectors, with significant experience in consumer goods, financial services, and retail.
She has worked as a Trustee for the IAMTHECODE Foundation, which aims to get 1 million young women and girls coding by 2030; as a Chair of the Board of Trustees for The Orchard Project, as a brand ambassador for Sustainability Squared Ltd, and as an Honorary Professor at the University of Exeter Business School in the Faculty of Environment, Science, and Economy.
Courtney Holm regularly speaks to international audiences at events and summits on topics including enabling sustainable choices along the value chain, focused strategies for scaled impact, and supply chain transparency.
Courtney’s work in the sustainability industry has seen her win numerous awards and accolades, including being named one of the top 10 women in sustainability 2024, in the top 100 global women in Sustainability 2024, and one of the top 25 sustainability consultants and leaders in 2023.
Courtney Holm has recently been appointed an Honorary Professor at the University of Exeter.
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.
Trewin Restorick is a sustainability speaker who’s been at the forefront of sustainable change since 2014 with the launch of the charity Hubbub UK, which he founded and led as CEO from its conception until 2022.
The London-based food waste prevention charity aims to change how environmental messages are delivered so businesses and consumers can work together as a force for environmental change.
Trewin has since started a new environmental venture called Sizzle, encouraging people to live greener, more natural lifestyles.
Tom Savigar is an expert in foresight, strategy, and transformation, business visions and models, change, and development.
For over two decades, he had been forecasting and making the future happen with The Future Laboratory for the world’s biggest and best known brands.
With his new company Avansere, Tom now focusses his skills and network on building next-generation enterprises.
Tessa Clarke is the Co-Founder and CEO of Olio, a free app that tackles the problem of food waste and, in turn, climate change.
The app aims to connect neighbours and communities so that surplus food can be given away rather than thrown away. Since its conception in 2015, Olio has grown to over 7 million global users and has won Tessa many accolades.
She is a knowledgeable, engaging, fun, personable, and passionate speaker, talking on various subjects surrounding innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainability.
Will Moxham and Planthood co-founder Hilary Kennedy fell in love with plant-based food in 2018 while living in Canada.
Whilst the vegan movement of the time was increasing on the West Coast, when they returned to the UK, they realised the vegan options just didn’t compete.
Keen to offer healthy, sustainable, and easy-to-cook vegan options, Will and Hil set up Planthood to create fast and restaurant-worthy dishes.
Winnie Awa is a creative visionary and storyteller based in London. Her multi-disciplinary practice sits at the intersection of beauty, technology, community-led design, and cultural intelligence, crafting products and narratives that feel as human as they are technologically advanced.
She has been recognised by the likes of the BBC, Sunday Times Style, Vogue, Harpers Bazaar and Refinery 29. It comes as no surprise that Winnie is highly sought-after as a corporate speaker, covering topics including Women in Technology, Entrepreneurship, Diversity, and Inclusive haircare.
Yewande Akinola is an award-winning engineer and innovator, consultant, and social entrepreneur with a passion for the role of innovation, creativity, engineering, and technology in our world today.
She brings a unique and thought-provoking perspective to conversations on engineering, technology, social impact, sustainability, innovation, and diversity and inclusion.
She is able to weave her experience from working on a wide range of global infrastructure and building projects into lively and engaging sessions with varied audiences. Yewande draws on a problem- solving mind set to bring meaningful contributions to relevant subjects. Yewande adopts a conversational method in the communication of big ideas and engages her audience with powerful stories.
She has presented TV programmes and hosted events and conferences with groups ranging from creatives, media celebrities, engineers to politicians.
Stephanie Hare is a leading author, commentator, consultant, and keynote speaker on the topics of business, technology, and trends.
From artificial intelligence to technology ethics, the metaverse and cyber security, Stephanie enlightens audiences, clients and readers about the dynamic changes we are all experiencing, in both our personal and professional lives.
She has expertise in surveillance, society, security, privacy, and gender roles in STEM. Her most recent work includes research on how surveillance, biometrics, and ‘the big data’ can affect our civil liberties and rights in this digital age.
Mark Clemmit is a seasoned TV and radio presenter and event host, with 20 years experience.
He has appeared on BBC’s Match of the Day, Football Focus and Final Score, as well as Radio 5 Live, where he is one of the station’s longest-standing voices.
Mark’s areas of expertise also include property and consumer issues; presenting the BBC One How Safe Is Your House, reporting for The One Show and writing as a columnist for The Times.
Mark is also an experienced awards presenter, conference facilitator and event host, including work on a broad range of topics from diversity and equality to innovation and leadership.
Maria Ramos is a leading international journalist and TV News Anchor at TRT World London. Anchoring the flagship news programme News Hour, she delivers breaking news and global headlines; her recent coverage includes Trump’s tariffs, the U.S. presidential elections, the Gaza conflict, and the Russia–Ukraine war.
Ramos’ journalism career spans global outlets including BBC, Bloomberg, CNBC, Bahrain TV, and UNICEF. She’s reported across the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and Latin America.
As well as English, Maria speaks French, Italian, Spanish, and basic Arabic.
Marga Hoek is that rare combination of a successful business leader who is also a visionary on sustainable business.
Her experience, knowledge and passion have seen her operating at the highest level, working with presidents and political ministers, and speaking at G20, G7, and Cop 23. She was also ranked by Thinkers 50 as one of the top 30 new management thinkers in the world.
Lynne Lambourne is an award-winning eco-designer, sustainability advocate, and dynamic speaker, passionate about using creativity to drive environmental change. With a background in interior and garden design, Lynne is best known for her vibrant and energetic approach to sustainable living and her ability to communicate serious issues in an accessible, engaging way.
Lynne’s work has appeared in several magazines, newspapers and TV shows including George Clarke’s Amazing Floating Homes (2015) and Gok Wan’s Fill Your House for Free (2016), and her own home is regularly featured on film and TV projects thanks to her keen styling eye.
A sought-after speaker and media personality, Lynne has spoken at high-profile events such as Grand Designs Live, Decorex, and Ideal Home Show. She has been featured in publications including The Sunday Times, The Guardian, Elle Decoration, Country Living, and Country Life magazines. Her appearances on ITV’s This Morning and other lifestyle programmes have made her a recognisable and trusted voice in the world of eco-conscious design.
Broadcaster, journalist, speaker and author Lucy Siegle is a regular commentator and opinion leader specialising in climate and sustainability.
She has been invited to speak on BBC Breakfast (2000-) and Newsnight (1980-), as well as being a regular contributor to The One Show (2006-).
Female Broadcast Journalist Shiulie Ghosh is an award-winning journalist with a career spanning more than 20 years.
She has worked for some of the best known television news broadcasters in the world, including the BBC, ITV News, Aljazeera and TRT World.
Shiulie is an experienced host and moderator who has worked with high-profile clients and industry leaders around the globe.
Lord Chris Holmes is a member of the House of Lords, an ex-Paralympic swimmer, and a proficient keynote speaker.
Awarded an MBE at age 20 for his services to swimming for disabled people, Chris was one of the UK’s most successful Paralympians, winning an astonishing 15 medals.
As well as his swimming awards, he has been named the Midlands Today Sports Personality of the Year, and Bass Midlander of the Year in 1992, was presented the SAF Paul Zetter Award in 1996, and was named Sports Personality of the Year Variety Club of GB in 1997.
A politician with more than a bit of varied life experience, Lord Chris Holmes has knowledge of elite sport, inclusion, wellbeing and the workplace, technology, and politics, and can offer an informative but entertaining keynote speech for all clients.
