Team-building speakers offer fresh perspectives and practical tools that inspire positive action. Addressing challenges and motivating teams help create a unified, high-performing group ready to tackle future obstacles. Many go beyond traditional keynotes, incorporating interactive activities and real-life scenarios to develop critical skills such as problem-solving, trust-building, and teamwork. These engaging sessions improve teamwork and enhance productivity, morale, and overall performance, fostering a positive work environment that drives success.
At Great Business Speakers, we specialise in providing personalised shortlists of motivational and team-building speakers who can elevate the impact of your corporate event. By understanding your organisation’s unique challenges and aspirations, we match you with the right speaker whose expertise and approach will resonate with your team. Whether you aim to boost morale, inspire leadership, or enhance collaboration, our carefully selected speakers can deliver tailored messages that will leave a lasting impact and help foster thriving, high-performance teams within your company.
Discover our Motivational Team Building Speakers below, or contact the team at Great Business Speakers to enquire or book. +44 1753 439 289
Nicole Bearne has been at the forefront of Formula 1 for over 25 years, contributing to the success of the Brawn Grand Prix and Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 teams.
Her extensive motorsport experience includes executive and technical operations, internal communications, employee experience and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Nicole’s career achievements include nine Constructors’ World Championships and eight Drivers’ titles, which underscore her instrumental role in driving success both on and off the racetrack.
As a pivotal member of renowned teams such as Brawn GP and Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One, her journey is a testament to excellence, leadership, and innovation in one of the most demanding industries.
In 2023, Nicole founded The Comms Exchange, a consultancy dedicated to enhancing internal communications, employee engagement, and leadership strategies for organisations across various industries. Armed with a master’s degree in Organisational Behaviour, as well as professional certifications from the Chartered Institute of Public Relations and the Institute of Internal Communications, Nicole brings unparalleled expertise to her current role.
Nicole’s unique blend of real-world F1 business acumen and academic expertise makes her a compelling speaker for various audiences. She is frequently invited to speak at conferences in the UK, USA and Europe.
Matt Swain is the founder and CEO of Triangle, working with an exclusive group of UK and US leading founders, CEOs and entrepreneurs, helping to build their digital reputation to drive commercial outcomes.
He is also the founder of SOCIAL CLUB, an exclusive social media communications company where influencers and brands manage a following of over 328 million.
Matt is also a published author, and a popular inspirational speaker.
Kenton Cool stands as a beacon of high-altitude climbing and adventure, with a staggering 18 successful ascents of Mount Everest and a multitude of other peaks under his belt. His conquests include the revered ‘seven summits’ – the tallest mountains on each continent. Notably, he is the only Briton to have skied down two peaks over 8,000 meters, a feat that sets him apart in the world of high-altitude climbing.
As an elite IFMGA guide, Kenton leads daring expeditions and shares his insights on leadership and team performance with corporate clients. His dynamic and inspirational speaking style makes him a sought-after motivational speaker, capable of captivating and energising audiences.
Kenton’s passion for climbing began with his first expedition to Pakistan at 19, sparking a lifelong love for the high mountains. He thrives on guiding clients up iconic routes and to the summits of some of the world’s most challenging peaks, from the Himalayas to the Alps and beyond.
Through innovative and pioneering experiences, he offers lessons that clients can apply in both their professional and personal lives.
With over 44 successful expeditions under his belt and many more planned, Kenton Cool is an enthusiastic keynote speaker, ideal for inspiring teams at kick-off meetings, entertaining as an after-dinner speaker, motivating conference attendees, or adding excitement to awards ceremonies.
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.
Chris Barton is the visionary founder and creator of Shazam, an entrepreneur, inventor, and tech investor.
Chris wanted a way to identify songs anywhere he heard them using a mobile phone. There wasn’t one – so he invented the application called Shazam, a creation that is nothing short of pure magic.
When he first had the idea in 1999, no technology existed to achieve his goal. He was told by professors at MIT and Stanford that it was impossible. He then embarked on a journey to make it possible. This was seven years before the invention of the iPhone and eight years before anyone had heard of an App Store.
Shazam first worked by calling 2580 and holding the mobile phone to the music. The database would recognise the song and send an SMS with the details.
In 2018, Shazam was acquired by Apple for a reported $400 million, making it Apple’s 6th largest acquisition of all-time. Shazam has been downloaded over 2 billion times and is used each month by over 300 million people, making it one of the world’s most popular apps.
Holding 12 patents, Chris Barton has made significant contributions to the tech industry. He is currently involved in a third startup company, Guard, an artificial intelligence system that detects drowning in swimming pools – a never-before accomplished effort. He also advises and invests in early stage companies that are changing the world.
Chris Barton is an inspirational speaker who is full of enthusiasm and energy, as well as valuable insights on innovation, creativity, resilience and adaptability and achieving the impossible. He is a sought-after keynote speaker who has spoken across five continents with a range of organisations and businesses. Past clients include L’Oréal, Accenture, American Express, YMCA, Coca-Cola and Verizon.
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.
Will Greenwood is a former England rugby player and the second highest try scorer in English rugby history. He is widely regarded as one of England’s greatest ever rugby players, as well as one of the sport’s most engaging, intelligent and entertaining characters.
Will Greenwood started his working career on London’s City trading floor before debuting for Harlequins in 1994 and then progressing to Leicester in 1996.
He made his England debut in 1997 and went on to become an integral part of the England team, a position he cemented in the Six Nations and World Cup in 2003, finishing the World Cup tournament as joint top try scorer with five.
Throughout his 11 years playing professional rugby, Will was a dedicated professional combining a fantastic work ethic with a desire to continuously learn and improve his game. Despite injury setbacks and occasional moments of self-doubt and personal tragedy his focus, determination and perseverance led him to the top of the national and international game.
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.
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.
Mark Gallagher is a renowned keynote speaker on a range of business topics relating to his 30 years’ experience within Formula One motor racing.
During the course of his career, he held senior roles in Formula One, is a popular broadcaster, author, and industry analyst, who continues to work with drivers and teams at the forefront of the global sport.
Since 1998, he has spoken for hundreds of organisations, ranging from SMEs to large, global corporations.
As Founder and Director of L30 Relational Systems, Mark Finnis has over twenty years’ experience of working with national and international businesses and voluntary services.
He provides training sessions, consultancy, and is an in-demand keynote speaker, particularly on the national development of restorative practices.
Restorative practice describes a way of being, an underpinning ethos, which enables us to build and maintain healthy relationships, resolve difficulties, and repair harm when relationships breakdown.
L30 aims to help develop practical training and support for organisations – from corporate to charity to education. They provide all participants with an understanding of what restorative practice is, within a practical framework that can be implemented immediately.
“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.
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.
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.
Sir Nick Clegg served as Deputy Prime Minister in Britain’s first post-war coalition government from 2010 to 2015. He was leader of the Liberal Democrats from 2007 to 2015, and was a Member of Parliament for Sheffield Hallam for 12 years before the 2017 general election in which he lost his seat and subsequently resigned.
In 2018 he was appointed Facebook Head of Global Affairs and Communications, and presently resides in California with his wife and children.
His experience both as an MP and MEP sees him well equipped to deal with an industry that is increasingly under the regulators’ microscope, especially in Europe.
In 2018, he received a Knighthood in honour of his political and public service.
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.
Tech pioneer and endurance runner, Simon Wheatcroft, refuses to let blindness hold him back. Whether he is competing in ultra-marathons, climbing mountains or going about his day to day life, he combines the use of technology and his fundamental belief and trust in his own abilities and body to overcome what many would consider insurmountable barriers and achieve his goals.
Simon’s unique blend of ferocious drive, along with his background in technology and psychology, enables him to push the boundaries of possibility and challenge the audience to explore what they can achieve.
Simon Hazeldine is best-selling author, and a sales and negotiation expert.
A hard-hitting speaker who will give your people a wake-up call that they will never forget! Through his powerful speeches and seminars, Simon inspires and enables exceptional performance. His powerful, practical and proven strategies will drive and deliver improved bottom line results.
He is the bestselling author of five books that have been endorsed by a host of business leaders including multi-billionaire business legend Michael Dell. He has a Master’s Degree in Psychology and is a Fellow of the Institute of Sales & Marketing Management.
Sian Gabbidon is a renowned British businesswoman, motivational speaker, business consultant, and the first black female winner of BBC’s The Apprentice, following her series 14 success.
She started her business, Sian Marie, from her bedroom and built it into a global brand with seven-figure retail partnerships, demonstrating her ability to turn a vision into a thriving business. She also co-founded Twenty Twenty Digital, one of the UK’s fastest growing e-commerce agencies.
She now shares her story as an in-demand speaker and presenter on all aspects of business stat-ups to a wide range of audiences. Sian is passionate about empowering entrepreneurs and small business owners, sharing her journey and expertise to help others achieve their business goals.
Si Beales is an award-winning speaker, educator, academic, writer, and entrepreneur. Si specialises in soft skills, and helping people learn more creatively.
As an academic, Si developed the 7C’s model, which focusses on Curiosity, Critical thinking, Creativity, Collaboration, Communication, Character, and Complex problem solving.
There is growing evidence that connected soft skills are key to business success, particularly in the age of artificial intelligence (AI), with many employers valuing them higher than hard skills. Forbes Magazine says they are ‘essential to the future of work’.
Sarah Furness is a former RAF Combat Helicopter Pilot, motivational keynote speaker, and inspirational trainer.
After graduating from Cambridge University with a degree in Natural Sciences and Theology, Sarah joined the Royal Air Force, first as an air safety trainer and then as a helicopter pilot. During her two decades there, she worked on tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, commanded a 120-man team across Kabul, and planned special forces operations.
Her experience in such hostile and challenging environments led to her transition into an inspirational and motivational keynote speaker. But she still has her mission: “To share the secret to outstanding resilience, performance and courage under fire”.
