These speakers are at the forefront of their fields, whether in technology, leadership, sustainability, or strategy, and they bring a deep
understanding of trends shaping the future of business.
Unlike traditional motivational speakers, thought leaders challenge conventional thinking, inspiring organizations to innovate and adapt. They provide audiences with practical frameworks to navigate complexities, fostering creativity and problem-solving. By addressing real-world challenges and opportunities, thought leaders equip businesses with the tools to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving landscape.
Their influence extends beyond the event, sparking ongoing conversations and driving meaningful organisational change. Thought leaders can also enhance an event’s credibility, drawing in larger audiences and ensuring lasting impact. Businesses can inspire their teams, connect with industry trends, and unlock growth potential by engaging a thought leader.
Whether for virtual or in-person events, our Great Business Speakers bring a unique ability to inspire, educate, and engage audiences. They adapt their messaging to resonate across various platforms, ensuring maximum impact regardless of the setting. These speakers often possess exceptional storytelling skills, using real-world examples and compelling narratives to convey complex ideas simply and effectively.
Discover our Thought Leaders below, or contact the team at Great Business Speakers to enquire or book. +44 1753 439 289
Chris Hirst is an innovative and inspirational leader, keynote speaker, and award-winning author with an impressive track record of successful business transformation.
With over a decade of experience as a global CEO, he is now known for his no-nonsense approach to business transformation and his focus on wiping away the bullsh*t to bring clarity and insight to modern leadership.
Through his experience as a successful CEO, Chris shares his first-hand experience leading organisational change to deliver record growth and cultures of lasting success. In 2022, Chris was shortlisted by Campaign Magazine as global CEO of the year.
Chris Griffiths is a high-profile keynote speaker on creativity, innovation, and mind mapping and a bestselling author published in over 20 languages worldwide.
In 2006, he founded OpenGenius, a company focussed on helping transform creativity, learning, and thinking. His passion for creativity links to his strong support of neurodiversity. Through his work with The Inspire Genius Foundation, he aims to promote the inclusion of neurodivergent thinkers and how that can add value to any business.
Millions have used his technology solutions, and he has personally worked with Nobel laureates, governments, royal families, and business CEOs.
Chris Goodall is an English businessman, author and expert on new energy technologies.
He is an alumnus of the University of Cambridge and Harvard Business School (MBA). This was followed by membership of the UK Competition Commission, now part of the Competition and Markets Authority.
Chris is a prolific writer on the subject of sustainability and encompassing a low-carbon lifestyle. He has published over half a dozen books and was short-listed for the 2020 Wainwright Prize for writing on global conservation. His book What We Need to Do Now was one of the Financial Times‘ environment books of the year. His latest book looks at the 16 remaining obstacles to the energy transition.
Chris Brindley MBE is a prominent UK Business Leader, Chair AT MCRactive and Zellar Limited, and Non-Executive Director (NED) at companies including Four Recruitment, Her Spirit, Equilibrium Asset Management, and Goodson Thomas. He is also an Elite Sports Business Mentor for The Premier League, Leadership Coach for Metro Bank, and a Trustee of Switch the Play Foundation.
He is the former Chair and NED of the Rugby Lead World Cup 2021 Board, Chair of GreaterSport Manchester and Sporting House, a Non-Executive at Rugby Football League, Super League, Move With Peppa, Rapport, and Manchester Football Association, and former Executive of British Gas, Metro Bank, and NatWest.
A leading authority on sales management, employee engagement and satisfaction, and customer experience, Chris holds Non-Executive Director positions at multiple organisations, and has been awarded UK Non-Executive Director (NED) of the Year, Most Outstanding Employer, and Britain’s Best Boss.
He has studied for a range of topics including strategic retail management at Manchester Business School, performance management, and executive coaching at Hult Ashridge, customer experience at Duke University, managing strategic risk at The Wharton School, managing for value creation at INSEAD, and executive leadership from the prestigious Harvard Business School.
Described by The Guardian as a long-haired, twinkly eyed cross between Richard Branson and a wizard, Chris Baréz-Brown’s natural ability to uncover everyone’s inner genius helps people to get their energy right every day, so they can achieve more through their own talents and be extraordinary, all whilst driving bottom-line results.
He is a transformational speaker inspiring everyone from corporate to TEDx audiences worldwide.
Chloe Combi is an ex-teacher, educator, researcher, brand consultant, political consultant, broadcaster, podcast host, film director, bestselling author, and international speaker.
Using a data-driven approach, based on over 30,000 interviews, she works with global companies, governments, institutions, and schools to give them an insight into the future and help them prepare for what the future brings.
Chloe coined the term ‘Generation Z’ – people born between 1997 and 2012 – when she wrote the first bestselling book on the topic, way before the rest of the world became fascinated with them. In her book Generation Z: Their Voices, Their Lives (2015), she interviewed over 3,000 people, and has since added over 20,000 more for her next book about Generation A.
Her unprecedented research into generational shifts makes her one of the world’s leading experts on the matter, and she has become a popular keynote speaker, appearing at events including Edinburgh Book Festival, the London Festival of Education, and Latitude Festival.
Chanelle Lady McCoy is one of Ireland’s most successful businesswomen, winning the All-Ireland Business Champion Award and recently ranked no 23 in the ‘50 incredible people shaping modern Ireland.
Having previously been a co-founder of Ireland’s largest indigenous pharmaceutical company and more recently Chanelle McCoy Health, a research and development-led pharmaceutical company, Chanelle is a very motivating speaker on business and leadership.
Chanelle was previously one of the dragons on Ireland’s Dragons’ Den where she enjoyed sharing her experience of growing successful businesses and supporting entrepreneurs on their journey to business growth. She is also a huge supporter of women in business and mentoring young entrepreneurs.
Caspar Berry is a professional motivational and keynote speaker who started his career as the lead in the first series of Byker Grove (1989-1997) on BBC One alongside Ant and Dec. He went on to read Economics and Anthropology at Cambridge and, after aiming to become a professional film writer, he had his first screenplay produced by Film Four in his final year. By the age of 23 he was writing for companies Columbia TriStar and Miramax.
Just two years later, he decided he needed a change in his life, which led him to Las Vegas where he became a professional poker player. He spent three years playing professionally and using his wits against some of the world’s best-known players.
After his time in Vegas, he moved back to the UK in 2002. Here he co-founded Twenty-First Century Media and built it into the fastest-growing audio-visual media company in the North East of England. Whilst here, he began his career as a speaker and catalyst for new thinking within business about risk-taking and decision-making. In 2008, he sold the company to Bob Geldof’s media giant, Ten Alps.
Caspar Berry’s eye-opening comparisons between playing poker and running a business incorporate risk-taking, innovating and communicating. His keynote speeches deliver a unique, insightful and refreshing take on business.
Brett StClair is a business rebel technologist, digital pioneer, entrepreneur, lecturer, and keynote speaker.
After spending a decade in England, Brett returned to his hometown of Johannesburg in South Africa to launch his own digital marketing and media company. He has worked for some of the world’s leading digital businesses, including Admob, Google, and Barclays Africa.
As well as his own work plus his speaking duties, Brett has served as the co-chair of the South Africa Mobile Marketing association with the aim of establishing mobile marketing as a separate industry.
His expertise, knowledge and passion for the field have impacted thousands of audience members from around the globe.
Brendan Hall is a renowned figure in the fields of speaking, coaching, and consulting, with a focus on fostering high-performance cultures within teams and organisations. His expertise lies in unlocking the untapped potential of teams, cultivating resilience, fostering connections, promoting collaboration, and enhancing leadership qualities.
As a sought-after speaker, Brendan has earned recognition for his ability to inspire audiences and deliver tangible outcomes.
He has been trusted by esteemed organisations such as PwC, Toyota, GSK, Nestle, Financial Times, Tesco, and Lloyds Banking Group.
He also holds positions as an adjunct lecturer at Ashridge Executive Education and Cranfield Business Schools, where he imparts his knowledge and experience to aspiring leaders.
Brad Burton is a force to be reckoned with in the world of motivational speaking and team building.
Known for his infectious enthusiasm, humour and high-energy dynamic approach twinned with street-smart wisdom, Brad has carved a unique niche in the industry, speaking globally at the highest level blending his background as a multi-million-pound business owner with his no-nonsense, motivational style.
At 50, he’s not just a speaker; he’s a doer, embodying the very essence of motivation and action. Brad’s journey is one of transformation and tenacity.
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.
Dr Gary Crotaz, PhD, is an extraordinary polymath – a medical doctor and PhD, a world-class dancer, and later a C-Suite corporate leader with global retailers Mothercare and Selfridges Group.
Now he is a sought-after executive and strengths coach in the UK, Us and Europe, award-winning author, and inspiring leadership speaker. He is also the host of the hit leadership podcast ‘The Unlock Moment’, where he interviews many of the leading thinkers on finding purpose, achieving peak performance, and building leadership effectiveness from around the world.
Dr Gary Crotaz has featured in Forbes, the Telegraph, the Sunday Times and on TalkTV, and has spoken at events including CarFest, alongside Dr Rangan Chatterjee, Clive Branson, and Simon Ong. His innovative self-coaching book The IDEA Mindset by Dr Gary Crotaz was awarded Coaching Book of the Year by Henley Business School in 2022.
Dr Paul Redmond is one of the UK’s leading experts on generational change and the future of work. He is a popular keynote speaker, employment guru, and bestselling author.
His reached into Generation Z and their impact on organisations has seen him receive high praise and respect from national and international organisations. As an in-demand speaker, Paul presents at numerous conferences and events around the world, helping organisations and professionals acquire the skills and knowledge to thrive in today’s multi-generational workplace.
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 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.
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.
“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.
Former Blue Peter presenter Ayo Akinwolere is a BBC journalist, presenter, speaker, and multiple BAFTA nominee and RTS Award winner.
He also has his own production company – Milk First Productions – which he founded in late 2020 and has since released the documentaries Yorkshire Cop: Police Racism and Me (2021), and Wolf on the High Street (2021).
Ayo spent five years presenting Blue Peter, from 2006-2011, and was always up for a challenge, no matter how dangerous. This included bungee jumping from a helicopter at 11,000 feet and completing the deepest open water swim at the time.
With such an established presence on our screens, Ayo has become a popular choice to host private and corporate events and conferences. With his extensive experience and endless enthusiasm, Ayo is a safe pair of hands for event organisers.
Dr Lynda Shaw is a cognitive neuroscientist and business psychologist who works with senior leaders and wider teams to better understand the emotional responses of clients.
Together with her clients, Dr Lynda aims to harness this knowledge to improve business culture, unite managerial teams, ensure employee job satisfaction and turn fear and stress into profit and loyalty. Together this is achieved through consultation, workshops, coaching, group mentoring and keynote presentations.
She is an experienced entrepreneur having owned three businesses including a health club with 2000 members and 20 staff. She is also a business psychologist and holds a doctorate in neuroscience, specialising in the unconscious processing of emotion and communication. She works with senior leaders and their teams who want to better understand the emotional responses of clients and colleagues and harness this power to increase business growth and dramatically improve communication and long term business relationships.
Ayishat Akanbi is a fashion stylist and visual expressionist. Since making her entrance onto the fashion scene in 2010, she has been a stylist for high profile celebrities in music, sport, TV and film.
Ayishat Akanbi has worked with several clients on ITV’s The X Factor, including JLS and their member Aston Merrygold when he was a judge on Sky’s So You Think You Can Dance. She has garnered the attention of many music artists and TV personalities due to her unique ability to understand an individual’s political, psychological and artistic beliefs and use this to influence their style.
Combining her passion for fashion with her belief in socio-political ideas, Ayishat has an influential voice in both the academic and creative worlds.
Dr Ant Webb – otherwise known as The Brain Whisperer – is a CEO, entrepreneur, author, mindset expert, and keynote speaker.
With over 25 years of experience in founding, running, and supporting businesses, Dr Ant is passionate about helping leaders overcome mental challenges that come with running a business.
