Conference Speakers

Dame Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock

Maggie has led projects making anything from land mine detectors to satellite sub-systems that measure variables like wind speed to improve our knowledge of climate change. In presentations the Sky At Night expert talks about exploring space with missions like Rosetta, and how we live in a galaxy with 200 billion stars. Maggie believes that with 100 billion galaxies in the universe, there must be life out there – simply as a matter of probability.

Rt Hon Lord (Andrew) Adonis

As Transport Secretary, Schools Minister and Head of the No.10 Policy Unit, Andrew has been an architect of public service reforms from academies to policing. He also prepared the plan for HS2, before leading a review of regional growth strategies. As Chair of the new commission, he is now assessing the UK’s future infrastructure needs. In presentations Andrew looks at change management and policy implementation in complex organisations – and difficult conditions.

Henry Ajder

Henry works at the frontier of the generative AI and synthetic media revolution. He presented the BBC documentary series The Future will be Synthesised, and advises organisations on the challenges and opportunities new technologies present.

Ayo Akinwolere

Ayo became one of four people of colour with a swimming world record, when he swam in one of the deepest stretches of water on earth. The former Blue Peter presenter has written for the Daily Telegraph, BBC Sport and the Independent, and appeared on Celebrity MasterChef, the Great British Bake Off and Celebrity Pointless. After moving into sports and current affairs, Ayo co-created the production company Milk First Productions, which aims to tell diverse stories and amplify diverse voices.

Eniola Aluko

The former Juventus, England and Chelsea striker was a natural goalscorer and a leading talent in the women’s game. She won Super League and Serie A titles as well as FA Cups, and played over 100 internationals. She served as Aston Villa Women's sporting director. Off the pitch she’s a lawyer, having qualified in the US and worked in the City. She's a regular pundit and commentator on both the men's and women's game, becoming the first woman pundit on Match of the Day. She hit the headlines with her stand against the discrimination, outdated behaviou...

Anne Applebaum

Anne is a staff writer for The Atlantic and a Pulitzer-prize winning historian. A Washington Post columnist for fifteen years and a former member of the editorial board, she has also worked as the foreign and deputy editor of the Spectator, and as the political editor of the Evening Standard. Her book, The Twilight of Democracy: The Seductive Lure of Authoritarianism, considers why some of Anne’s contemporaries have abandoned liberal democratic ideals in favour of strongman cults, nationalist movements, or one-party states.

Dr Nighat Arif

Dr Nighat is a GP specialising in women’s health and family planning. She is a medical educator and provides teaching to local trainee GPs as well as at national and international conferences. Nighat was nominated for the National Bevan Prize for Health and Wellbeing to acknowledge her commitment to advancing wellbeing in her community. She has worked to raise awareness on menopause and women’s healthcare in Black and Asian women, and presented her clinical work at the Menopause in the Workplace Parliamentary committee hearing. Nighat...

Christine Armstrong

Communications and management expert, and acclaimed author, Christine considers what modern, values-driven, inclusive organisations should look like and how they should operate. Touching on work-life balance, workplace culture, 'hybrid work',  management and mental health, she examines the new challenges to old ways of doing business. From remote working to diversity strategies, she points out the misleading assumptions and dares organisations to think differently about what they do, how and where they do it. She was named sixth out of the top fifty Future of Work influ...

Ros Atkins

Ros joined the BBC as a producer on Five Live and is now the BBC News Analysis Editor and presenter of The Media Show on Radio 4. He produces viral explainer videos on topical news stories that led to him being labelled been labelled 'Explainer-in-Chief', and founded the BBC's 50:50 Project which aimed to increase the representation of women in journalism. He is also the author of The Art of Explanation: How to Communicate with Clarity and Confidence.

Dr Victoria Baines

Having worked in law enforcement and cybersecurity, Victoria joined the social media giant in a leading role to connect the business to government and security agencies. A leading thinker on trust and safety in the digital world, she looks at everything from the how, why and who of fake news to what AI could do for privacy, the myths and realities of cybercrime to what invading someone’s space in virtual reality might mean.

Katy Balls

Now covering events in the US, Katy’s media career began at The Daily Telegraph before becoming Diary Editor and a Political Correspondent for The Spectator, where she then became Political Editor. She also hosted the podcast Women With Balls speaking to women at the top of their respective fields about their passions, battles and what makes them tick.

Ed Balls

Noted as one of the leading economic voices in the Labour governments of the 1990s and 2000s, Ed was a key architect of policies from the independence of the Bank of England to the minimum wage. Having left frontline politics his new life has encompassed academia in the US and UK, presenting documentaries, analysing the big stories alongside George Osborne on Political Currency, and, of course, a celebrated turn on Strictly Come Dancing.

Georgie Barrat

On TV Georgie is part of the Gadget Show team and a regular tech correspondent. Away from reviewing the latest apps and devices she considers the implications for business and society of developments in the digital world, the changing expectations of the next generation of employees, and how to encourage more women to work in tech.

Jose Manuel Barroso

As President of the EU’s executive and legislative branch, José Manuel dealt with the expansion of the Union, the fallout from the financial crisis, and closer integration of member states. He is also a critic of all sides in the Brexit debate and believes the EU could have done more to avoid it.

Jamie Bartlett

Jamie is the creator and host of the popular BBC podcast The Missing Cryptoqueen and is the author of The People Vs Tech, The Dark Net and Radicals. He has explored everything from online subcultures and hackers to blockchain and cryptocurrencies to the threat social media has on democracy.

Martin Bayfield

Martin has progressed from copper to Crimewatch presenter. In between he enjoyed a successful career as a rugby forward, earning 31 international caps. With natural comic timing, the 6’10” colossus compares his own sport to football, and reveals how he became a part of the Harry Potter phenomenon.

Dame Inga Beale

After working in senior global leadership roles in some of the world’s largest insurance companies, Inga took over the helm of the 330-year-old City financial institution. Taking on many of the traditions that had held the organisation back, Inga expanded their global markets, and introduced strategies including the Lloyd’s Innovation Lab, and the Dive In Festival, an industry-wide, international diversity and inclusion event. She considers the balance struck between history and modernisation when implementing change, the vital importance of inclusion in the workplace, and co...

Cally Beaton

After joining the board of ITV, setting up her own company and serving as SVP in charge of International Sales at media giant Viacom, Cally has also started a parallel career in comedy. She brings humour and energy to workplace insights ranging from how to foster a creative, positive environment to how to inspire and lead through change.

Poorna Bell

As UK executive editor, HuffPost produced its first month-long campaign celebrating and giving voice to women and men across the world – The All Women Everywhere and Building Modern Men. Poorna has since become an acclaimed writer, raising awareness on the negative effects of the media and society’s decline in mental health.

Carl Bildt

Once UN High Representative in Bosnia, Bildt challenges Europe and the US to find a common vision to meet the threat to world order. Now that we are endangered by weak states and shadowy structures, how can we prevent a clash between fundamentalists and reformers within a civilisation becoming one between civilisations?

Professor David Blanchflower

Alongside his American academic appointment, the former MPC member has also served as the Economics Editor of the New Statesman and is the author of Not Working, a critical look at the modern employment landscape. As a specialist in ‘the everyday economics of people’ Danny focuses on real data, instead of forecasts.

Rt Hon Lord (David) Blunkett

As Home Secretary David was in charge of security, immigration and policing. He is now Chairman of a multi-Academy Trust and an advisor to easyJet. As well as sharing insights on cyber-crime and crisis management, David considers how leaders can best engage with the public and counter the widespread sense of grievance. He argues for business to take a lead: “You are a part of our communities, not just employers of people with certain skills.” After dinner he takes a lighter look at a life in politics - both highs and lows – from The Queen offering to cut up his meal, to...

I. Stephanie Boyce

I. Stephanie is a solicitor and the Former President of the Law Society of England and Wales. She became the 177th president of the society and the first person of colour to be appointed to the role. She has been on the Power List of 100 Most Influential Black People, the Governance Hot 100, and was awarded the Burberry British Diversity Awards-Inspirational Role Model of the Year.

Jason Bradbury

Labelling himself a ‘first generation geek,’ Jason is fixated with tech and all things web-related. And as David Walliams’ one-time stand-up partner he’s also a very entertaining performer. After looking at past technological breakthroughs, Jason explains why the next ten years could see as much progress as the last millennium. Using his own inventions (a robot and a glove phone), he shows how computers will become so integral that we cease to treat them as objects.

Baroness (Karren) Brady

Karren ran the business side of Birmingham City FC through promotion, relegation – and brain surgery. Karren’s mantra for leaders growing any enterprise can be summed up in 5 tips: work hard (be persistent); use every opportunity to network (spread your message); move on (failure is history); don’t get side-tracked, and do your sums.

Derren Brown

From predicting lottery numbers to playing Russian Roulette on live television to revealing the tricks and manipulations of hoaxers, fraudsters and charlatans, Derren has combined the spectacular, the bewildering and the insightful. He reveals that how we think, and how we think we think aren't always the same. Alongside acclaimed TV and stage shows, Derren is the author of Happy: Why More or Less Everything is Absolutely Fine and A Little Happier: Notes for Reassurance, practical and personal examinations of what happiness is, what is almost certainly isn...

Todd Buchholz

As well as serving under George Bush Sr, Todd has headed a $15bn hedge fund, lectured on economics at Harvard and co-produced a Broadway hit. He has also written about global upheaval in Market Shock. Todd looks at macro and geopolitical issues, like the crisis in Syria, and the impact they have on financial markets and business strategy.

Alastair Campbell

Alastair ran Labour’s communications for ten years, in and out of government. Alongside co-hosting The Rest is Politics podcast, he advises on both political and organisational strategy, as well as working extensively with charities and campaigning around mental health. He’s written a slew of books including Winners, drawing inspiration from high achievers in sport, business and politics. In presentations Alastair explains what to do when you come under pressure: “Challenge your basic assumptions, put yourselves in your opponent’s shoes, devise a tight plan from t...

Clarke Carlisle

Clarke made over 500 senior level appearances and led the football players’ union. He has also written a powerful memoir. Clarke is open about his struggles with alcohol, depression and gambling – the strains of a multi-billion pound industry in which both fans and club believe they own you. He’s similarly candid about racism and the Kick It Out campaign. Clarke talks about diversity and culture change in a game traditionally associated with macho behaviour.

Dr Elisabeth Carter

Criminologist and forensic linguist Elisabeth examines how interactional, ethical, and social drivers are manipulated by fraudsters, and reveals the intricate balancing act between power and persuasion, credibility, and vulnerability. 

Calum Chace

After working for the likes of the BBC, BP and KPMG, Calum took a wealth of business and media experience and combined it with a passion for technology and robotics. Now one of the leading commentators on artificial intelligence, he looks at the vast potential for both good and ill, considering the development of AI, its portrayal in the media and in fiction, and what might await us in the future.

Dr Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic

Tomas uses science and tech to help organisations predict human performance. He creates tools that help organisations predict human performance and improve the ability for people to understand themselves better.

George Clarke

Channel 4’s architect also works with government to pull empty buildings back into use. With a passion for innovative architecture, sustainability, and making the most of unloved or overlooked spaces, George brings energy and enthusiasm to all aspects of housing and the built environment.

Rt Hon Sir Nick Clegg

Nick rode a wave of popular support to become the first Liberal Democrat to achieve high office, serving as Deputy Prime Minister in the Conservative-led coalition government. After serving in the cabinet he departed politics for the private sector, moving to Silicon Valley and taking a key role at Facebook, later Meta, as its VP of Global Affairs and Communications.

Rt Hon Lord (Sebastian) Coe

On the track Seb’s talent and commitment earned eleven world records and two Olympic gold medals; he has since led the most successful Games in recent history. After serving as one of many Vice Presidents, Seb is tasked with turning around World Athletics and restoring the reputation of international athletics, in the gaze of the world’s media. In speeches he shares the lessons as an athlete and as a leader delivering a vision, managing crisis and bringing about change.

Bernie Collins

With over a decade’s experience at the forefront of Formula 1 Bernie was Head of Race Strategy for the Aston Martin Formula 1 team and is an accomplished strategy engineer. She has held senior strategy and performance engineering roles and played a central role in the teams she has worked for.

David Coulthard

Following Ayrton Senna’s death at Imola, David was promoted from test driver to the race team – where he sat alongside Damon Hill. With 13 Grand Prix wins and over 60 podium finishes during his career he became Britain’s highest point-scorer in the sport. Now a member of the Channel 4 commentary team, David talks first hand about how to succeed in a high performance and unremittingly high pressure environment. He also explains how F1 teams rely on the drivers, technicians, engineers and sponsors all working together, and the motivation and leadership skills required to succeed in this...

Pippa Crerar

Pippa is a multiple award-winning journalist who has covered Westminster and international politics for more than two decades and exposed the Partygate and Barnard Castle scandals. She is Political Editor of The Guardian and before that was Political Editor of the Daily Mirror, and City Hall Editor at the Evening Standard.

Caroline Criado Perez

Caroline is behind successful campaigns to see women represented on English bank notes, and the erection of a statue of Millicent Fawcett in Parliament Square. In speeches and in her book Invisible Women, she highlights the systematic biases behind the data and assumptions about our everyday lives. From healthcare diagnoses to search algorithms, the over-reliance on men as the default standard has left women, and society as a whole, disadvantaged.

Lavinia D. Osbourne

A Blockchain, Web 3.0 & NFT specialist, Lavinia is a consultant and thought leader sharing her knowledge to help break down barriers within these emerging technologies. She founded Women in Blockchain Talks and Crypto Kweens to help provide resources to those underrepresented.

Professor Lewis Dartnell

Lewis is an astrobiology researcher and professor at the University of Westminster. The author of The Knowledge: How to Rebuild Our World from Scratch, Lewis also writes for The Guardian, The Times, and New Scientist. On TV he has appeared on the BBC, Discovery, and National Geographic channels.

Matt Dawson

Possibly the best scrum half in the world, Matt’s performance in the World Cup-winning England rugby team, and especially his pass that led to the winning kick, earned enormous respect within the sport. A former England captain, Matt is a proven leader and a natural team player and he combines his playing experience with his more recent business lessons to consider the nature of teams, leadership and performance culture. He’s also an accomplished presenter of conferences and awards.

Alex Depledge

Leaving her job at Accenture for the uncertainty of a startup, Alex and her friend Jules started helping.com (formerly hassle.com). The pair got through the challenges, the mistakes, and the lack of investment to build a company that sold for over £20million. They’ve repeated the process with Resi, a disruptive architecture and planning business that is now a market-leader. Alex looks at the lessons she's learned, from startup mindsets to the future of the workplace, the pressures on leaders to balancing culture and growth (including a dramatic increase in Resi's...

Lyse Doucet

One of the BBC’s most widely respected journalists, Lyse has covered some of the most tumultuous events around the world, from the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan to the Arab Spring uprisings and the war in Ukraine. Despite the conflict and terror, she’s an unshakeable optimist, seeing the humanity and unity of people in the toughest of circumstances. She analyses the political and social uncertainty the world faces, and considers the nature of risk. She also reveals the lighter side to reporting from some of the world’s most dangerous places.

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Matthew Drinkwater

Working at the cutting-edge of fashion, technology and retail, Matthew demonstrates how the fashion industry is being changed in every facet of its operation from manufacture and supply chain to retail and design. From what clothes can do (monitoring your activities, charging your phone) to how VR could replace high street shop to how robots could replace craftspeople, he finds important lessons for any industry in collaboration, disruption and future strategy.

Dr Oscar Duke

Oscar first appeared on TV in the Channel 4 series 24 Hours in A&E. The medical doctor and broadcaster has also appeared on BBC Breakfast, BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio 2, and co-hosted The Surgery on BBC Radio 1.

Keren Elazari

Hacker turned cybersecurity expert and academic, Keren looks at everything from corporate espionage to national security and geopolitics, as they are played out on, and being radically changed by digital and social media. The acclaimed TED speaker looks at why hackers might hold the key to the future of the internet, common security myths, and the intersection of business, commerce and society.

Sir Ranulph Fiennes

Ran was the first man to reach both poles by surface travel, and the first to cross Antarctica unsupported. He’s also the oldest Briton to climb Everest, has run seven marathons on seven continents in seven days, as well an ultramarathon in the Sahara. He undertook the first expedition to attempt to cross the Antarctic continent on foot during the southern winter, at temperatures of minus 90C; but sadly frostbite forced his withdrawal. Despite the setback, Ran believes that “If you are lucky enough to be able to walk without a crutch, you might as well go for it.”

Lord (Daniel) Finkelstein

Declared political columnist of the year four times, Daniel has held some of the most senior jobs in journalism and politics. A former Executive Editor of The Times, he has been an advisor to prime ministers and chancellors for over twenty years. He has worked with John Major, David Cameron, Theresa May, George Osborne and Rishi Sunak among many others. His work is respected across the political spectrum and he has recently been the author of an award winning and critically acclaimed best selling book Hitler, Stalin, Mum and Dad. He is also a Director of Chelsea Football Club. ...

Mariella Frostrup

Mariella has moved from film review to Panorama and writing about menopause. She has also served as agony aunt on The Observer and has interviewed luminaries of stage, book and screen from Oliver Stone to Kermit the Frog.

Hannah Fry

Having studied fluid dynamics and working briefly in F1, Hannah returned to academia and now lectures in the mathematics of cities. She’s also a science broadcaster, bringing numbers and data to life on TV and radio in programmes including The Joy of Data, City in the Sky, and The Curious Cases of Rutherford and Fry. She examines how maths underpins almost everything and the world of data: how it’s gathered, what it can (and can’t) tell us, and when to look more closely at its predictions. Hannah also encouraged the public to download the BBC Pandemic app for her look a...

Mo Gawdat

As Chief Business Officer for Google X, the search giant’s much-envied R&D division, Mo led some of the tech world’s most innovative projects. It was the climax of a successful career in technology but whilst on paper he was doing well, he often felt unfulfilled. He applied his engineering skills to the problem and after almost a decade developed a model which placed happiness in overall context of the experiences and expectations of life. His work became the international bestseller, Solve for Happy: Engineer Your Path to Joy.

Bob Geldof

Bob has inspired hundreds of projects across Africa and ensures it remains on the political agenda and in the public consciousness. In a rousing speech on social responsibility, Bob reminds us that we are all defined by what we do, not what we say. This isn’t confined to philanthropy. He might also confess to some pride at the thought of becoming the first Irishman (and the first genuine rock star) in space.

Hon Julia Gillard

As Prime Minister of Australia, Julia revamped education at every level, expanded access to healthcare across all ages and oversaw major investment into telecoms and broadband infrastructure. She is now Chair of the Wellcome Trust, the world’s second largest charitable funder of medical research into improving human health. Julia draws on her time in office to cover lessons on leadership, diplomacy, gender equality and mental health, while also highlighting the Trust’s work in combating climate change and preventing the spread of infectious disease.

Misha Glenny

After reporting on the Balkan wars and the collapse of the Soviet Bloc, Misha worked with and advised EU and US governments. He remains an expert on Central and Eastern Europe and an acclaimed writer on global crime, most notably in his book McMafia, which was adapted into a hit BBC drama.

Professor Ian Goldin

Ian served as Vice President at the World Bank, CEO of South Africa’s Development Bank and advisor to Nelson Mandela before taking over the helm of the Oxford powerhouse – which spans everything from economics to stem cell research. Ian’s own expertise extends from the systemic risks of globalisation and future technologies, to migration. He believes that global shocks like the financial crisis will become an endemic feature of the next decade.

Michael Gove

Having served in Cabinet for almost the whole of the previous Conservative government, Michael Gove has been described as 'one of the most consequential ministers of recent times'. Serving variously as the Secretary of State for Education, for Justice, for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and as Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, he has insights that few can rival into the workings of government, leading change and driving strategy. He continues to influence the political debate as Editor of The Spectator, and as a Peer.

Dame Katherine Grainger

One of Britain’s most successful Olympians, after collecting three Olympic silvers Katherine finally took gold alongside Anna Watkins at the London Games. She returned to her boat in time for the Rio Olympics and once again won silver. After then gaining her PhD (in homicide), she went on to support the next generation of sportspeople as Chair of UK Sport before taking over at the British Olympic Association as the organisations first woman Chair.

Professor Lynda Gratton

Professor of Management Practice at London Business School Lynda is considered one of the world's authorities on people in organisations and is one of the UK’s leading business advisors working with companies across the world. Formerly the Chief Psychologist for British Airways, Lynda explains people strategy, how to get the best out of groups, and why some teams seem to have an energy others lack.

Professor A.C. Grayling

Anthony is one of the most influential thinkers of the age. He believes in applied ethics - philosophical debate on everyday issues from leadership to profit to technology. In his speeches Anthony explores ‘the lessons of war for the business of life.’ He also considers the different forms of wealth, and how to achieve and use them: “Wealth of any kind (material, moral or intellectual) is pointless unless it’s applied.”

Kevin Green

The former Chief Executive of the Recruitment & Employment Confederation and also HR Director at Royal Mail, Kevin delivers challenging, practical advice on how to make the most of the often overlooked HR functions within an organisation. He looks at how to attract, retain and develop employees, how to create better leaders, get the most from millennials, and whether AI really is the threat to workers people seem to believe.

Makala Green

Makala is a successful financial expert, author, businesswoman, financial speaker, and wealth coach, and is prestigiously recognised as the first black female chartered financial expert in the UK.

Baroness (Susan) Greenfield

One of the world’s leading authorities in neuroscience, Susan Greenfield is a scientist, academic, writer and broadcaster who considers how the brain works and how it’s changing. As well as leading research into Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, she writes and speaks about the potentially damaging effects to the brain of technology and living our lives online.

Dr Tim Gregory

Tim is a cosmochemist turned nuclear chemist, author, speaker, and broadcaster, working at the National Nuclear Laboratory at Sellafield. He explores nuclear science, planetary science, the importance of science in society, as well as the history, nature and potential of nuclear energy to address some of the world's most pressing problems.

Baroness (Tanni) Grey-Thompson

Britain’s best known Paralympian, Tanni amassed eleven gold medals in five consecutive Games. She also won six London Marathons and achieved a total of thirty four world records. Since retiring from competitive sport Tanni has taken an active role in the Lords, particularly on campaigns and legislation around disability. She believes that disabled people still face barriers that need to be removed, and calls for more genuine engagement rather than political rhetoric: “Public perceptions are changing.”

Robert Guest

Robert is The Economist’s Deputy Editor. Previously he was US editor, business editor, Washington correspondent and Lexington columnist covering American news and politics.

Chris Hadfield

Chris learned Russian and emergency medicine on top of his test pilot and aeronautical training before spending six months in orbit. He is now best-known for performing Bowie’s Space Oddity in space – as well as publishing An Astronaut’s Guide To Life On Earth and appraising the candidates in BBC2’s Astronauts - Do You Have What It Takes? Chris shares insights on leadership, collaboration, human ingenuity and how to avoid being paralysed by fear in the four seconds between system failure and death. He also reveals what spacewalking tells us about life on Earth.

Rt Hon Lord (William) Hague

William served as Party Leader, Commons Leader and Foreign Secretary – contending with war in Libya, terrorist threats, and relations with Europe. He weighs up the impact of Brexit, China, the invasion of Ukraine, and inflation on government policy, national security and globalisation. How will political leaders respond to the key challenges: from migration and populism to Putin's aggression and Xi Jinping's attitude towards tech and trade battles?

Nicolas Hamilton

Nicolas was told as a child he’d never walk due to his cerebral palsy and would spend his life reliant in a wheelchair. Not one to be told he can’t do things, with determination and gruelling training he not only walked unaided, but he started to realise his dream: to be a racing driver. Now a regular in the British Touring Car Championship, his story and ‘anything is possible’ attitude inspires everyone that hears it.

Professor Yuval Noah Harari

The author of two of the most acclaimed and influential books of recent times in Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind and Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow, Yuval Noah Harari’s work combines anthropology, history, contemporary philosophy and technology to examine how humanity gained dominance over the world, and what lessons our shared history has for the future.

Tim Harford

The BBC presenter, Oxford Fellow, data detective and million-selling author is a compelling storyteller on economics, psychology and the unexpected bits in between. Tim explores innovation and how ideas spread, what disasters teach us about ourselves, the power of price, and the use of uncertainty as a competitive weapon. He also reveals truths and myths in data – whether public information, misinformation or deliberate disinformation.

Timandra Harkness

Science writer, broadcaster, comedian and co-host of Radio 4’s FutureProofing series, Timandra examines the effects of all areas of technology. She is the author of Big Data: does size matter? and has written for Wired, the Guardian and the Telegraph.

Baroness Ayesha Hazarika

Having moved from the civil service to comedy to Harriet Harman’s Chief of Staff and now back to comedy, Ayesha has gone from writing policy and speeches to writing jokes and commentary pieces. With a combination of humour and insight she looks at politics, the operation of government, what goes on behind the scenes of Westminster and what might happen next.

Margaret Heffernan

Having run a range of digital and internet businesses in the US, Margaret has turned to analysing where leadership in organisations so often goes wrong. Ignoring potential problems, failing to encourage or develop talent, building a culture of isolation and internal competition; all are commonplace issues that could easily be addressed. As in her bestseller Wilful Blindness and her acclaimed TED speeches, Margaret simply and effectively considers what makes a great leader.

Lindsay Herbert

With a focus on the real-world of customers and workforces, Lindsay examines the five critical stages of digital transformation. Dealing with and embracing innovation and disruption are as much a matter of strategy and culture as they are about understanding what technology can achieve. Lindsay delivers examples and cautionary lessons in how the digital can add customer value and free up people to collaborate, innovate and focus on the human aspects of their job, but only when allowed to by internal structures.

Lord (Jonathan) Hill

After serving as Leader of the House and Leader of the Conservative Party in the Lords, Jonathan went to Brussels as Commissioner for Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union. He resigned after the UK vote to leave the EU. Having been responsible for finance and banking within the EU covering regulation, economic growth, markets and transparency, he offers insight into the workings of the Union, the economy, and negotiations.

Christian Horner

After a successful career on the track Christian started his own racing team only to be approached shortly afterwards to run the new Red Bull set-up. As new entrants to one of the most technical and competitive sports in the world, within five years they’d won both drivers’ and constructors’ championships, and repeated the feat for each of the following three seasons. Christian reveals what it’s taken to build and maintain success in the face of rivals with more money, resources, and political power in the sport. He considers what makes the culture of Red Bull spe...

Sir Chris Hoy

Chris has amassed eleven World Championship titles and six Olympic golds. Since retiring from the track he's competed at Le Mans, launched his own bike range, published children's books, and spoken publicly about his cancer diagnosis and its terminal status. An inspiring figure on and off the track, Chris tells his story of highs and lows, resilience, rewards, determination and teamwork.

Dr Daniel Hulme

Working in academia, the public and private sectors, Daniel is a leading expert in artificial intelligence and emerging technologies as well as its applications and the social, commercial, economic and ethical implications. In a world where many believe access to more and more data will lead to ever better decision-making, he looks at what AI really is, what it can achieve, and the potential pitfalls. He also asks how organisations need to change their structure and why people feel addicted to technology.

Dr Chadden Hunter

Producer and director Chadden has worked on some of the best-known natural history series of recent times, including Wild Arabia, Planet Earth, Frozen Planet, and Seven Worlds, One Planet. He reveals the huge challenges of making these spectacular series that combine detailed planning, technical excellence, personal risk and a lot of patience. With stunning images and never-before-seen footage he looks at lessons in creative thinking, problem-solving and working in a team as well as inspiring yet cautionary examples of the fragility of the natural world.

Alex Hunter

Alex was part of the team that launched the award-winning US airline Virgin America before leading Virgin’s entire digital strategy, including Sir Richard Branson's personal strategy. In speeches and workshops, Alex demonstrates how to create a meaningful bond with customers by showing the human side of brands, building relationships online and in the real world, exploring the psychology of brand loyalty, and revealing some of the best tactics for keeping customers happy and loyal.

Dex Hunter-Torricke

In a career that encompasses the UN, Google, Facebook and SpaceX, as well as political speechwriting, Dex offers a rare insight in to the intersection of politics, technology, leadership and society. Referring to some of the world’s biggest and most influential companies and individuals, he examines important questions of trust, automation, innovation and values. Looking at the positive and negative effects of an increasingly connected world he sees ethical dilemmas, new types of job, competing priorities and a focus on purpose.

Herminia Ibarra

The London Business School’s Charles Handy Professor of Organisational Behaviour and cited as one of the world’s most influential management thinkers, Herminia’s work covers talent management and technology, collaboration, and career and leadership development.

Professor Suzie Imber

Associate Professor of planetary science, Suzie has climbed some of the world’s highest and most challenging mountains, programmed supercomputers, helped develop space tourist training programmes, and won the BBC’s search for a future astronaut. Covering everything from satellites to teamwork, the future of science to dealing with risk, she looks at the lessons from all aspects of her work.

Ateh Jewel

Ateh is a multi-award-winning beauty journalist, influencer, broadcaster, and diversity advocate. She’s a regular presenter and social commentator on This Morning, Good Morning Britain, and CNN. She has been in the industry for over twenty years specialising in beauty, social commentary, and campaigning for more diversity in the beauty industry. Ateh was awarded the CEW Achiever Award to honour her diversity work in the beauty industry.

Michael Johnson

One of the greatest athletes of all time, Johnson’s medal haul includes 9 World Championship and 4 Olympic golds. He was the first man to win both 400m and 200m titles. Now a businessman and a columnist, Michael shares the techniques he used to stay focused and achieve long term goals. As in his book Gold Rush, he outlines the psychological and personal qualities needed to be a champion: “Ask yourself, if a competitor is doing better than expected – do I change my strategy?”

Leo Johnson

Combining consulting, research, and presenting BBC programmes including Future Proofing and Hacking Capitalism, Leo explores change and how we respond to it. He argues that disruptive events from pandemics to new technologies give us the opportunity (even the duty) to consider, with a new perspective, environmental, social and capital imbalances. In doing so, leaders will often understand the imperative to change strategy, but will also experience the intense difficulty of realising transformation. Leo delivers a practical understanding of why change is hard and what to do about it.

Lord (Digby) Jones

After heading the CBI, Digby entered government and circled the globe, lobbying on behalf of British business. He remains both an ardent supporter and insightful critic of business and business leaders, challenging them to better embrace change and innovation, to empower their people to take risks and explore new ideas, and to look globally for inspiration, competition and opportunities.

Garry Kasparov

After defeating arch-rival Karpov, Garry Kasparov remained the highest-rated grand master for most of the next twenty years and remains one of the game’s best known names. His matches against IBM’s Deep Blue were a milestone in artificial intelligence and he has continues to examine the rise of machine learning. He also considers how chess contains useful parallels to business – in terms of strategy, decision-making, maximising resources and beating the competition. He also dedicated much of his energy to politics and is an outspoken critic of modern Russia.

James Kerr

Business consultant and author James studied the New Zealand rugby team first hand, in training, the dressing room, before, during and after matches. The conclusions he draws about what has made them such a dominant force despite drawing talent from one of the smallest populations on Earth has important parallels in business. Whether it’s the value of character, understanding an organisation’s story, or avoiding complacency, James explains how a group can achieve and maintain real success.

Soumaya Keynes

Soumaya is Economics Columnist at the FT, and analyses monetary and fiscal policy. She was previously Britain Economics Editor and co-host of the Money Talks podcast at The Economic, and a Research Economist at the Institute for Fiscal studies.

Marcel Khan

Following a career working with some of the most rapidly-growing brands in one of the most competitive of sectors, Marcel is the CEO of The Fulham Shore and is responsible for the development and expansion of their Franco Manca and The Real Greek brands. Marcel looks at how leading from the front, identifying a culture and brand message, and delivering the best for customers can create a clear advantage for any business.

Justin King

Justin served as CEO of the retail giant for a decade, leading the 145-year old brand through huge shifts from the growth of online to the rise of discounters. He also pushed through the Nectar card, partnered with Jamie Oliver and brought in small convenience stores. In a down-to-earth style Justin weighs up the task of reviving true customer loyalty and bringing about culture change in large organisations: “It can be like an elastic band tied to a heavy object.”

Jonas Kjellberg

The founders of Skype had a simple idea that went on to revolutionise the entire telecoms sector. Since the company was sold Jonas has taught at Stanford, launched an early stage fund to back scaleable new business models, and co-authored books on growth strategy and ways to test the enterprise’s durability. He speaks about spearheading an idea, standing out from the crowd, creating a winning sales culture and bringing the whole organisation together.

Dr Adam Kucharski

Professor at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Adam specialises in the maths of contagion and risk, revealing the patterns of how things spread and how we can make better predictions. From the lifespan of ideas to the intricacies of human behaviour, AI to disinformation, he finds new ways to extract crucial insights from data, and the wide-ranging lessons this leads to.

Priya Lakhani

Priya is the founder and CEO of CENTURY Tech, the award-winning education company that aids the implementation of AI and machine learning in classrooms. She is part of the AIDecoded team on the flagship BBC programme The Context, sharing her insights into tech and business. 

Jim Lawless

Jim is a pioneer in the fields of change and performance shift, acclaimed author, and motivational speaker. He has inspired and empowered half a million people across five continents with his engaging talks on change and innovation, and through his book Taming Tigers.

Nigella Lawson

One of the most popular food writers and broadcasters around, Nigella is famous for her unpretentious, friendly take on cooking, revelling especially in indulgent dishes. From Nigella Bites to The Taste, her shows have been international hits, as have her books, including How to be a Domestic Goddess and Nigella Christmas.

Amy Lewin

Amy was the first employee at Sifted and has played an instrumental role in building and developing the new media brand. She covers fintech, foodtech, generative AI, climate tech, and diversity initiatives, and is particularly knowledgeable on Europe’s venture capital industry.

Elizabeth Linder

Working at the intersection of business, politics, society and technology with both Facebook and YouTube, Elizabeth has helped leaders around the world understand how social media has changed the balance of power. In an era where the public’s need for authenticity has led to Donald Trump’s Twitter presidency, she asks how leaders in all areas can be accountable and transparent. She also looks at wider issues from the tech sector from the implications of ever-expanding global internet access to the millennial workforce to the industry’s moral responsibilities.

Mitch Lowe

Joining Netflix in its very early days, Mitch was responsible for the company’s business development strategy and witnessed the startling growth of one of the internet’s first industry disruptors. He considers how consumers react to being offered a vast array of choices and the opportunities for businesses that this presents. He also urges those seeking to innovate or differentiate themselves to simplify and focus on their core aims.

Matthew Luhn

With over two decades of experience at the famed Pixar Studios, Matthew has been involved in creating some of the best known and well-loved films of modern times, from Toy Story 2 and 3 to Monsters Inc. He now applies his expertise to the business world, enabling organisations to make the most of their most powerful tool - their story.

Fernando Machado

Cited as one of the most creative and original marketers working in consumer brands today, Fernando considers where businesses sit in a world of trust, values, ethics and media saturation. Acclaimed for his original campaigns that often combine creativity with social and political issues, he looks at strategy, narratives, and how to embody company values in a brand.

Alex Mahon

Alex is the first woman to serve as Chief Executive of a major UK broadcaster. After a career embracing TV production and technology, she leads a company that is as respected for its creativity and independent spirit as it is for its pioneering commitment to diversity and social issues. She explores how to be a values-led, authentic leader, even in tough times, how technology disrupts established models, and the myths and realities of managing and catering for Gen Z.

Baroness Manningham-Buller

As Head of the Security Service, Eliza dealt with the wake of 9/11 and a growing threat from Al-Qaeda. As Chair of the Wellcome Trust, one of the world’s largest charitable funders of medical research, she oversaw an organisation that both predicted and led work tackling the Covid-19 pandemic and its long-term effects. With insights and lessons on leadership from throughout her career, Eliza explains that leaders' priorities must change in order to keep pace with the constant emergence of new, often unimagined challenges, from existential threats such a...

Ciaran Martin

Ciaran Martin is Professor of Practice in the Management of Public Organisations at Oxford University’s Blavatnik School of Government. He was the founding Chief Executive of the National Cyber Security Centre, part of GCHQ. He has worked directly with five Prime Ministers, and a variety of Senior Ministers from three political parties. 

Martin McCourt

As Chief Executive of Dyson, Martin transformed it from a niche manufacturer to a £1bn global brand, moving production to Asia. Even after the onset of recession, he doubled turnover and trebled profits - increasing sales in 70 markets. Now in private equity Martin argues we must use our inventiveness rather than try to compete with China on their terms. But with 40,000 unfilled skilled jobs, UK industry needs to work much more closely with educators.

Steph McGovern

Steph went from Black & Decker engineer to BBC Breakfast business reporter and co-presenter before presenting her own Channel 4 show and co-hosting The Rest is Money podcast with Robert Peston. She also fronted Watchdog, Pocket Money Pitch, Made in Great Britain, and Shop Well For Less - covering all aspects of real life business and economics. In the process she’s been trained in lean production, explained monetary and economic policy, and danced an impromptu Irish jig live on air.

Andrew McMillan

Andrew headed the John Lewis Intelligence Team, with responsibility for customer service and analysis of demographic trends. He believes customer experience tends to reflect the internal culture; you can’t teach it or stick it onto an unhappy or directionless organisation. Understand what the organisation and its people are for, what makes it special, establish a shared vision, and the rest will start to fall into place.

Rt Hon David Miliband

David Miliband served as Environment and then as Foreign Secretary under Gordon Brown – noted for his strong working relationship with Hillary Clinton and his work on human rights. He now leads the humanitarian relief organisation the International Rescue Committee. Combining insights into both UK and global politics, he considers the shifts in economic power, the effects of conflict, and the problems of globalisation and isolationism.

Nicky Moffat

Nicky was the British Army’s highest ranking female officer, stepping down as Brigadier after 30 years in leadership roles. As HR Director she was in charge of promotion, appointment and development. Having led diverse groups within a traditional organisation, Nicky explores how to attract and retain a wealth of talent amid rapid and significant changes of threat, policy, technology and resources. She also sets out the role of leaders in driving inclusive change.

Baroness Helena Morrissey

After serving as CEO of Newton Investment Management for fifteen years Helena wrote A Good Time to be a Girl, a call to women to stop trying to get ahead in an outdated corporate world and instead change it for the better. The founder of the 30% Club considers how important a diverse workforce is to a successful business, and as a mother of nine she considers the meaning of work-life balance.

Nataliya Mykolska

Nataliya is the founder and CEO of Dattalion, a project founded and run in Ukraine and supported by international volunteers, fighting on the information frontlines of Russia’s war against Ukraine. Previously, she was the Deputy Minister, and Trade Representative at the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade in Ukraine.

Nathalie Nahai

Described as “a rare polymath with deep expertise in tech, marketing and psychology”, Nathalie draws upon a rich background in human behaviour, web design and the arts, to offer a unique vantage point from which to examine the complex challenges we face today.

Andrew Neil

The Daily Mail called Andrew “The titan of broadcasting, famed for his interrogation of the powerful, and The Times said: “The ultimate test for assessing whether a party leader was fit to be Prime Minister is to put them in front of Andrew Neil for forty minutes, the most forensic interviewer in broadcasting.” With wry humour added to genuine insight and an enviable network of business, economic and political connections, the publisher, businessman and broadcaster considers the plots, policies and personalities making the news. 

Cathy Newman

Cathy co-presents Channel 4’s evening news bulletin having formerly covered politics for the programme. She’s also led the broadcaster’s FactCheck Blog separating the truth from the spin in Westminster. She’s guested on Have I Got News, argued that most MPs deserve more pay, and demonstrated Gangnam Style live on the news. After dinner Cathy considers everything from fake news to Nigel Farage and recounts close encounters with Bill Clinton and keeping a straight face whilst reading the headlines.

Yaw Nsarkoh

Yaw has broad experience from executive and management positions in Unilever in Africa, Asia, and Europe. His areas of expertise include business development, strategic leadership, marketing and branding, corporate governance, and organisational strategy and leadership.

Owen O'Kane

Owen's book Ten To Zen shot straight in at Number three on Amazon's Bestsellers, being beaten to the top two spots by Michelle Obama and Joe Wicks. He is a regular contributor to Good Morning Britain, BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC News, Sky News, ITV News, Guardian, Daily Telegraph, and The Times. In his speeches Owen makes complex psychological and mental health information accessible and understandable. 

Lord (Jim) O'Neill

As Commercial Secretary to the Treasury, Jim was responsible for making projects like the ‘Northern Powerhouse’ viable. He then led the review into the global threat of antimicrobial resistant viruses. Previously he served as the acclaimed chairman of Goldman Sachs Asset Management, and as their Chief Economist. In 2001 he predicted that the then G7 countries would no longer be the drivers of the world economy; coining the ‘BRICs’ acronym, he argued that globalisation would bring a new era. He considers what makes an economy thrive, whether at home or on a global scale, and the outl...

Tayo Oguntonade

Tayo is a fully qualified mortgage advisor, and co-founder of the blog BrickzWithTipz, which has reached over a hundred thousand people in need of advice. With his experience he is well placed to consider the cost of living crisis, understanding and improving credit scores and property investments.

David Olusoga

David is an award-winning documentary filmmaker, historian and author of Black and British: A Forgotten History. Whether he is investigating the past of 18th century houses, or uncovering the relationship between art and imperialism in the 19th century, David shines a light on the importance of knowing our history.

Nigel Owens

The World Cup Final referee is widely considered to be the best official in rugby union. He implements rules fairly but allows the game to flow; he imposes his authority – but he isn’t afraid to show a sense of humour on the pitch. He’s also the only openly gay official in what’s seen as an especially macho sport. In speeches Nigel talks about the hurdles he had to overcome, and the skills you require to make tough decisions with tough characters.

Major Tim Peake

From 400km above the Earth, Britain’s first ESA astronaut became a household name. A former military test pilot, Tim shared his experiences and incredible photos on social media, and spoke to over 1.5million schoolchildren across Europe about the power of science.

Robert Peston

Robert Peston is ITV's Political Editor, as well as the presenter of the channel's flagship politics show Peston, where he covers the latest developments in Westminster and beyond. He's also co-host of the podcast The Rest is Money alongside Steph McGovern, where they explore stories from the world of business and finance. He has won a number of awards for his work - including Journalist of the Year, Specialist Journalist of the Year and Scoop of the Year (twice) from the Royal Television Society.

Sam Phillips

Sam is an accomplished diversity & inclusion leader (with a CMO background) who has operated across scores of high-profile businesses and sectors, run large teams, and loves making a difference. After having senior roles at Omnicom, she established her own consultancy Representnation.

John Pienaar

Before he joined Times Radio, John was BBC Deputy Political Editor, covering the Westminster beat for all TV and radio outlets. As well as insights and anecdotes from Parliament and broadcasting, he has speculated on what might happen if we were to select governments by means of reality television.

Marc Priestley

Marc spent ten years as a mechanic on the McLaren Formula One pit crew. Looking at every aspect of F1, he explains the communication, teamwork, pressure and strategy to secure marginal gains. With each car generating 10mb of data per lap, analysts look ever more closely at competitors’ decisions in an effort to optimise their own team performance. Marc also provides F1 insight for Sky Sports, takes a look at some unconventional motorsports for the Discovery Channel, and covers events in the cutting-edge Formula E series.

Vicky Pryce

The former Joint Head of the Government Economic Service, Vicky has also held senior positions in the banking and oil sectors, and published Economics For Voters. She now advises a leading independent consultancy. In presentations she weighs up the risks; as well as China’s slowdown and uncertainties following the Brexit vote, she points to uncoordinated monetary policy and high non-performing loans continuing to put pressure on the world’s banking systems.

Lewis Pugh

Lewis is the first to complete long distance swims in each of the world’s oceans. He has also swum in Arctic and Antarctic waters, and the length of the Channel. His aim is to raise global awareness of a fragile maritime environment – one with retreating glaciers and increasing levels of plastic pollution – and he has negotiated official protected status for over two million square kilometres of ocean (equivalent to the size of Western Europe). As well as highlighting the urgent plight of the world’s seas, Lewis also reflects on his mindset and the vision, prepara...

Jamil Qureshi

Jamil is an internationally acclaimed performance coach who specialises in maximising the talent of individuals and teams. He’s helped sportspeople like David Coulthard and Darren Clarke enhance their performance and has helped six sportspeople to reach number one rankings in their fields. Believing that in order to do differently we must first think differently, Jamil considers how to create mindsets and attitudes that truly drive performance in business and sport, and how to challenge beliefs and shift perceptions.

Marc Randolph

When Marc’s marketing company was taken over, he met Reed Hasting in the new company. The pair car-pooled and chatted over new business ideas. At the same time, the DVD was coming to market and they realised the potential for a mail-order business. Netflix grew rapidly, and with the advent of broadband and the move to streaming changed into one of the most admired, pioneering businesses in the world. Marc, Nexflix’s first CEO, recounts the story.

Anders Fogh Rasmussen

One of Europe’s most respected politicians, Anders has played a key role in European politics for three decades. He served as both Prime Minister and Economics minister in his native Denmark leading change at home and within the EU. At NATO he dealt with a wide range of political and military challenges as well as establishing plans for the future of the alliance. He now turns his vast experience and insight to topics from populism to the future global roles of the US and EU.

Dr Paul Redmond

One of the UK’s leading experts on generational theory and employment Paul explains the realities behind the hype when it comes to millennial expectations of work and employment. Looking across the generations he outlines the leadership, culture and strategies required to attract and develop the best talent.

LJ Rich

The Click presenter is a self-confessed ‘cool hunter’ and hackathon fan. She’s also a concert pianist and composer and often mixes the two in presentations. LJ looks to the future user experience, from location based tech to mixed reality and the ‘tactile internet.’ We will soon be able to feel turbulence when flying a drone, and have offers pop up in front of our eyes. But how much will we want to tell our devices, and how much should our social currency be worth?

Kate & Helen Richardson-Walsh

The nail-biting finale to the Rio 2016 Olympic hockey final provided one of the most memorable moments of the Games for British fans. For the scorer of the winning penalty (Helen) and the long-serving team captain (Kate) it was the pinnacle of two international careers stretching over 15 years. With lessons in overcoming setbacks, building a winning culture, teamwork and leadership, the first same-sex married couple to win gold in the same team also reveal how the team changed, life in the Olympic Village, and their views on inclusion and diversity.

Steve Ridgway

CEO of Virgin Atlantic for over a decade, Steve oversaw the huge expansion of what has become one of the world’s biggest and most respected airlines. Widely admired for their service culture, marketing and innovation, Steve offers an insight into the Virgin brand and strategy. After dinner, Steve reveals the boardroom secrets of Richard Branson and what it was like taking charge of the Virgin Challenger Blue Riband yacht team.

Sacha Romanovitch

As the first woman to lead a major accounting firm, Sacha sought to transform a company and an industry that was often resistant to change. By focusing on Grant Thornton’s people and what they could offer, the culture became a more inclusive, supportive and innovative one. Incorporating lessons in leadership, change, resilience and diversity, Sacha examines what underpins an organisation, what its values are, and how understanding these elements can make it fit for the future.

Professor Nouriel Roubini

Dr Roubini served on the American President’s Council of Economic Advisors before capturing headlines in 2006 by warning that the deficit, housing bubble, rising oil prices and easy money was creating a toxic mix that would lead to a global financial crisis. He continues to assess the prevailing risks and long-term trends - from spending cuts to public debt levels, employment and income inequality. He also considers the lack of global policy coordination, food and energy security, and the new revolution in manufacturing.

David Rowan

As Editor of the technology and trends magazine for almost a decade, David has a unique insight into digital businesses, gadgets, new developments and the culture taking shape around them. He has also chaired the G8 Innovation Summit, enjoyed rare access to Chinese mobile manufacturers Xiaomi, and tracked the progress of the world’s smartest companies. In presentations David explains how tech-led disruption is impacting on everything from manufacturing to motoring to services – and what incumbent companies can do to protect themselves.

James P Rubin

Jamie Rubin served as assistant to Madeleine Albright in the State Department and later advised Hilary Clinton and President Obama. As well as academic posts he’s advised politicians, steered Bloomberg’s editorial direction, and written extensively. He assesses America’s place in the world, how the country uses its power, and one of the most tumultuous periods in US and global politics.

Adam Rutherford

Adam has explored synthetic biology, evolution and science in art for radio and TV, and written about the truth behind popular ideas of genetic inheritance. He co-hosts Radio 4’s The Curious Cases of Rutherford and Fry, has toured with Brian Cox and Robin Ince’s Uncaged Monkeys show, and worked on films including Ex Machina, Annihilation, and Life.

Frank Salzgeber

Frank leads the European Space Agency's Innovation and Ventures Office (formerly the Technology Transfer and Business Incubation Office) – created to share research and development gains with industry. Their space tech is already being used to purify the air in intensive care, to survey rock for tunneling, in the manufacture of running shoes and to transfer space technology to the Vatican Library. Frank’s team has also incubated or facilitated over 550 start-ups and 150 spin-offs. His speech tells conference audiences how they might foster a space agency culture of creati...

Dominic Sandbrook

Historian, author and presenter Dominic hosts the world’s most popular history podcast, The Rest Is History, alongside Tom Holland. He has been a book critic for the Sunday Times for almost twenty years and is the author of Never Had It So Good, State of Emergency, and White Heat, which was adapted into a BBC TV Drama series. 

Sir John Sawers

Before becoming Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service Sir John worked around the world in diplomatic and security postings, including spells as the Foreign Office‘s Desk Officer in the EU Department, Foreign Policy Advisor to Prime Minister Tony Blair, and British Permanent Representative at the UN. His time at MI6 was marked by leading a service whose reputation had been damaged by the Iraq war and the Snowden affair, whilst also charged with tackling new technological and ideological threats.

Naomi Sesay

Using her twenty years’ experience in television and media, Naomi Sesay has devoted her career to serving as a powerful advocate for diversity and inclusion, becoming a trailblazer for social enterprise. She is currently Head of Creative Diversity at Channel 4 and was previously Head of Innovation and Diversity for Media Trust.

Tim Shipman

Before covering Westminster for the Sunday Times Tim also reported from Washington. He delivers insight from a career covering elections, scandals and plots and looks at the likely big stories on the horizon. As author of All Out War: The Full Story of How Brexit Sank Britain's Political Class he enjoyed unique access to some of the key players in the EU referendum and provides a look behind the scenes as well as an analysis of the effects of the vote, the lessons to learn, and the possible outcomes.

Fred Sirieix

Although perhaps best known as the Channel 4 date show matchmaker, Fred has also appeared on I’m a Celebrity, This Morning, 8 Out of 10 Cats, The Jonathan Ross Show and Good Morning Britain, and has undertaken food-orientated road trips with Gordon Ramsay and Gino D'Acampo for a number of ITV shows.

Tim Spector

Tim Spector is a Professor of Genetic Epidemiology at King’s College London, director of the Twins UK study,  Scientific co-founder at ZOE, and one of the world’s leading researchers. He appears regularly on TV, radio, and podcasts, and is one of the top 100 most cited scientists in the world.

Professor Joseph Stiglitz

Joseph Stiglitz chaired President Clinton’s Council of Advisors and served as Chief Economist at the World Bank. A critic of the way in which the banks were bailed out, he sees a programme of public investment strengthening the US economy. To address the future debt burden, he believes spending must yield new assets in human capital, technology and infrastructure. He is also a strident critic of international financial institutions and globalisation policies.

Yancey Strickler

Kickstarter has become synonymous with crowdfunding; enabling ordinary people to fund creative projects they care about. As well as disrupting a range of industries, Kickstarter is also a model of how to combine business with social responsibility. Yancey speaks about lessons from taking Kickstarter from idea to a global, game-changing company. He explains his four lessons for leading an innovative, disruptive organisation, and takes a determinedly optimistic view of the the commercial, social and political effects of the tech sector and business more broadly.

Richard Susskind

Best-selling author and independent adviser to international firms and national governments, Richard is a leading expert in two fields – on the future of professional services and on the impact of AI. His thinking on the future of the professions is covered in The Future of the Professions (2015, 2022, co-authored with his son Daniel) and has generated a global conversation. On AI, Richard has drawn on 40 years of experience of artificial intelligence in writing his upcoming book How To Think About AI: A Guide for the Perplexed offers a non-tec...

Rory Sutherland

One of the most respected creative thinkers in the ad industry, Ogilvy’s Vice-Chairman once suggested to Microsoft that they enable people to share office documents on the internet. The idea was dismissed but Rory has gone on to build a career out of the counter-intuitive and the original. With a sharp wit he examines what influences our choices and why irrational thinking tends to win out.

Helle Thorning-Schmidt

After serving as an MEP, Helle led the Social Democrats for a decade, and served as Denmark’s first woman Prime Minister. After leaving Danish politics she led the international humanitarian charity Save the Children. As well as advising many international bodies and NGOs she is a co-chair of Facebook's Oversight Board which leads reviews into the company's content policy.

Ben Towers

Starting his web design business aged just eleven, Ben was running a company by the time he was studying for his GCSEs. Before he was eighteen he was leading a fully fledged branding and social media consultancy and was feted as the future of British business. Having exited his first business and started his next, he provide insights into the social media landscape and the future of business. Ben considers what’s new and what challenges businesses are going to have to face from disruptive competition to employee wellbeing to consumer insights.

Holly Tucker

With notonthehighstreet.com Holly and Sophie Cornish helped reinvent how small businesses operate online, offering them a platform as well as marketing and business support. Holly has gone on to be the government’s Ambassador for Creative Small Businesses and to found a new company helping startups. She considers both the world of online retail and entrepreneurship, but also the new workplace where companies foster personal as well as professional priorities.

William Tunstall-Pedoe

After working on a range of early AI applications, William founded True Knowledge, a company focused on creating practical applications for AI systems. The company became Evi, created a popular and truly pioneering voice assistant app, and was bought by Amazon to provide much of the AI for their Alexa home assistant device. As well as explaining just what AI is, how it works and its prospects, William considers how it can change the world, its capabilities and practical applications.

Josh Valman

Entrepreneur and business strategist Josh, is the CEO at RPDK. He started designing and manufacturing at thirteen, was a consultant at fifteen, and in his early twenties headed an innovation and manufacturing strategy business. Josh seeks to disrupt established business models and challenges received wisdom on innovation strategy, out-sourcing and supply chain as well as how to become a more agile, creative business. He also looks at the future of R&D and technology.

Jaco van Gass

Jaco was a member of the Parachute Regiment. When was completing his second six-month tour of Afghanistan the helicopter he was in came under enemy fire and he was hit by a rocket propelled grenade, sustaining devastating injuries and losing his left arm. He didn’t let his injuries stop him and been a member of the GB Para-Cycling team. Jaco was also a member of the record-breaking team of wounded soldiers to trek unsupported to the North Pole and was joined by Prince Harry.

Prof Sir Jonathan Van-Tam

Professor Jonathan Van-Tam was Deputy Chief Medical Officer. He led on health protection and played a significant part in the UK's response to the covid pandemic.

Guy Verhofstadt

Guy led three separate administrations as Belgian Prime Minister before heading one of the principal groupings in the European Parliament, the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats, for a decade. He also led the Parliament's Brexit negotiation team. Guy argues for a federal solution, united in managing total public debt and pumping money into the economy. To compete with growth in the US and Asia, he believes there has to be a unified political strategy, a common treasury, a real government and a parliament with full powers.

Duncan Wardle

A thirty year veteran of Disney, Duncan worked in global PR and marketing roles before heading their Innovation & Creativity division. Working with all branches of the business from Pixar to theme parks, he and his team developed a strategic toolkit to encourage innovation, dispel the myths that hold it back, embed it into everyday practices, and make a difficult, abstract concept, real and relevant.

Ellis Watson

Tackling leadership, transformation and navigating disruption with an energy and forthright humour that engages and informs, Ellis has an impact few speakers can match. With lessons from a diverse career leading businesses from media to transport, he delivers practical, sometimes provocative ideas on how to nurture and retain talent, adapt to technological, social and economic disruption, and place purpose at the heart of any organisation.

Justin Webb

Before he joined the Today programme Justin was the BBC’s first North America Editor. He also co-hosts the BBC podcast Americast, and writes about the USA for The Times. He explores the key differences and misunderstandings when it comes to Trump and US-UK-Europe relations, and considers leadership and leaders on all sides, with stories from behind the scenes in broadcasting and in the corridors of power. 

Sir Peter Westmacott

One of Britain’s most distinguished diplomats, with over four decades experience representing the UK at the highest levels, Sir Peter has served across Europe, the US, and the Middle East. Having worked closely with world leaders and navigated complex negotiations, Sir Peter offers insightful reflections on diplomacy, geopolitics, and the evolving nature of global power.

Will Whitehorn

As Richard Branson’s right hand man, Will took the space tourism venture, Virgin Galactic, from a vague dream to a project with real spacecraft and its own spaceport. Now involved in businesses from communication to tech to cutting-edge transport systems, including as a long-term non-exec with online estate agents Purplebricks, Will also considers brand, disruption and innovation in a world of fast-changing technology and increasing customer expectations.

Jonny Wilkinson

The man who won England the World Cup, Jonny became one of the most famous rugby players ever when his drop goal decided the final in the dying seconds of the game. He went on to become one of the most decorated players in the game, becoming the highest international points scorer and a role model of professionalism and sportsmanship. The public success was only part of the story, however, and Jonny speaks frankly and inspiringly about the pressure of expectation, the mental health implications of leading a life defined by others, and how his lessons can offer practical advice to anyone ...

Levison Wood

After serving as a Captain in the Parachute Regiment, Lev took his experience of challenging and dangerous environments to become a photojournalist and leader of expeditions. His love of Africa led him to undertake a one-man trek along the length of the Nile where he learned how communities survive in the harshest of climates. He then took on the Himalayas, Central and South America, and the route from Russian to Iran. He considers the lessons both personal and witnessed, in motivation, survival, and the nature of risk.

Professor Ngaire Woods

Economist Ngaire is the Founding Dean of the Blavatnik School of Government and Professor of Global Economic Governance at Oxford University.

Professor Michael Wooldridge

Michael is the Ashall Professor of the Foundations of Artificial Intelligence, University of Oxford. He is also Director of Foundational AI Research at The Alan Turing Institute. His work there involves developing the AI programme, with a focus on multi-agent systems. He has been an AI researcher for over thirty years, and is the author of The Ladybird Expert Guide to AI.

Steve Wozniak

The Apple co-founder chose not to stay with the business he and Steve Jobs established, instead focusing his energy on encouraging the next generation of technology entrepreneurs and innovators. Steve speaks about how he and Jobs made computers in a garage, the vision for home computing that they shared, and what will come next.

Linda Yueh

Director of Oxford University’s China Growth Centre, Dr Yueh is a regular media commentator on all the major economies and the global issues affecting them. She has advised the World Bank, the European Commission, the World Economic Forum, amongst others and has written a number of academic and popular economics books.

Mohsin Zaidi

Mohsin's memoir A Dutiful Boy was described as utterly compelling and a book that will save lives. A former successful criminal barrister, his journey from an impoverished part of east London and a strict Muslim household encapsulates lessons and experiences in mental health, faith, social mobility, sexuality, and ultimately the power of hope and humanity to overcome seemingly impossible odds.

Randi Zuckerberg

Facebook's Marketing Director for six years, Randi helped to expand the social media giant from niche service to global network leading developments including Facebook Live. Particularly active in working to widen access to the digital world and STEM learning, her projects have run from children’s books to restaurant businesses to radio shows. She shares insights and real-world scenarios of how social media has changed the world, how to deal with it, and why inclusivity is vital to future success.

Akala

Akala has become a renowned voice and activist on race, class and the lingering effects of imperialism in Britain, exemplified in his music, poetry and writing. He is the author of the bestseller Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire. 

Mike Abrashoff

As a junior officer taking command of the ‘worst-performing ship in the Pacific Fleet’ Mike faced a daunting challenge and a test of his leadership. From his first day he looked at the ship from the crew’s point of view, empowering them, opening up lines of communication, and putting them at the core of the ship’s values. A year from him taking over the ship was rated as the best in the Navy. His lessons in culture, motivation and unity have spread beyond the military and into business, helping all organisations to be the best and prepare for the future.

Dr Leyla Acaroglu

Combining design and creative thinking with sustainability and insights into behaviour and social conventions, Leyla explores some of the assumptions around sustainability and questions how we can do things better by doing things smarter. By asking the right questions and being innovative, she considers how design-thinking can help solve the most complex and urgent of problems.

Carlos Acosta

Carlos Acosta is one of the greatest ballet dancers of all time, alongside Nureyev and Baryshnikov. One of 11 children born into poverty in back street Havana, his father hoped dance might provide the discipline to keep him away from trouble. He rose to become Principal Guest Artist at The Royal Ballet and has since realised his dream of setting up a company in Cuba. Reaching beyond dance enthusiasts, Carlos encourages all delegates to harness their strengths.

Nicola Adams

Nicola was the first ever female Olympic boxing champion and the first Brit to successfully defend an Olympic boxing title. After golds in London and Rio she turned pro and now faces new challenges. A popular figure in and out of the ring, she has spoken openly about challenges both personal and professional, the role of sport in helping her deal with problems, as well as her dedication, focus and the feeling of facing an opponent one-on-one.

Lucy Adams

Lucy led BBC HR during a turbulent period. She was responsible for employee relations, reward, training, development and redundancies. During her time the corporation adjusted to four new Directors General, the move to Salford, 30% reduction in management and the Savile scandal. Lucy’s decisions were exposed to frequent media and political scrutiny. In speeches she considers how to instil resilient leadership, break down silos and manage resistance to change.

Lord (Victor) Adebowale

In over two decades leading organisations at the forefront of health and social care, Victor has brought together purpose and leadership. Now Chair of the NHS Confederation, he previously served as the Chief Executive of care provider Turning Point, and homelessness charity Centrepoint. With wide-ranging policy experience he examines the biggest challenges to public and private sectors, as well as the importance of diversity, and why leaders must alway be learning something new.

Ade Adepitan

After being afflicted with polio as a youngster, Ade refused to let disability get in the way of his love for sport and became ‘the Michael Jordan of wheelchair basketball.’ He represented GB at the European and World Championships, and won Paralympic bronze. He has since covered climate change in Africa, trekked through rainforests and hauled himself to the top of a 5,000ft volcano. Ade describes how he realised his condition wasn’t a big obstacle, and how we can all set our own boundaries.

Rebecca Adlington

Rebecca swam in her first Olympics in Beijing, winning golds in 400m and 800m freestyle events, breaking a World Record on the way. She became the first woman to take swimming gold for Great Britain in forty years, and the first in a century to scoop two victories at a single Games. Going on to take two bronzes in London, and World and Commonwealth 800m titles, Rebecca then retired from competition. With a burgeoning media career as well as heading programmes to train swimming teachers and ensure primary school-age children can swim, Rebecca discussed the focus, motivation and ...

Roma Agrawal

After receiving a degree in physics and a masters in engineering, Roma pursued a career in structural engineering and has designed bridges, skyscrapers, and sculptures with signature architects. She spent six years working on The Shard, the tallest building in Western Europe, designing the foundations and the ‘Spire’.

Sir Ben Ainslie

Ben is the first sailor to win medals at five Olympics. After seeing off the Danish boat in Weymouth Bay he masterminded tactics for the victorious US team in the America’s Cup - with his sights now firmly set on leading a British challenge. Ben demonstrates the physicality, techniques and strategic nous needed to compete at the highest level. He might also confess that his blocking tactics, now universally used, once led him to require police protection.

Professor Jim Al-Khalili

As well as being a respected science communicator Jim is an active researcher specialising in theoretical nuclear physics and quantum biology. An acclaimed science writer and a regular on TV and radio, his presentations consider anything from the case for nuclear power plants to the weirdness of the quantum world, the prospects for time travel (and why it's much more likely forwards than back), the creation of life, the importance of asking the right questions (and accepting uncomfortable answers), and Medieval Arabic science.

Dolly Alderton

Dolly is a writer, podcaster, and a columnist for The Sunday Times. She is the author of the memoir Everything I Know About Love, which has been adapted into a TV show for the BBC. 

Benjamin Alexander

Benjamin was Jamaica's first-ever Olympic Alpine ski racer. He started skiing just six years before his Olympic glory at age thirty-two. His story is one of never accepting no for an answer, and fighting against all odds, through the pandemic to secure his place in history.

James Alexander

Co-founder and former CEO of Zopa, James was a pioneer in peer-to-peer lending. Putting those with a small amount to invest in front of reliable borrowers has proved a successful business model, creating what is now globally £100bn sector. James is now helping organisations make more informed strategic choices and deliver more impactful innovation as part of Future Agenda, the world’s largest open foresight programme and advisory in foresight, strategy and innovation. James tells a powerful founder story as a bridge into discussing and sharing practical approaches for disruption, innovat...

Benedict Allen

Benedict has lived in the Siberian wilds, survived the Skeleton Coast and crossed the Gobi. He’s contracted malaria whilst being pinned down by civil war in Papua New Guinea, he’s been shot at, hunted and left to stitch up his own chest: “It’s a bit more extreme than the corporate jungle, though there are parallels.”

Sonita Alleyne

Before becoming the Master of Jesus College (the first black woman to hold the post at any Oxbridge college), Sonita co-founded the media production Somethin’ Else and sat on boards in both the private and public sector. Passionate about education and equality, she also founded The Yes Programme to help school pupils make insightful career decisions.
 

Maggie Alphonsi

As England rugby vice-captain Maggie won a record-breaking seven consecutive Six Nations titles, and got to the final of the World Cup twice, winning once. In speeches she covers leadership and performing under pressure.

John Amaechi

John was the first Brit to play at the top level of US basketball, once declining a $17m transfer fee to stay with the team that supported him. He’s now a respected cognitive psychologist, performance expert, activist and founder of a community sport initiative. John brings his research and his personal and sporting experiences to bear on management challenges such as improving resilience, reducing stress and turning managers into coaches. His personal and professional backgrounds have also seen him become a leading voice on issues around race and diversity...

Kate Ancketill

A leading authority in global retail and business futurism. With retail, consumer, brand, hospitality, and technology specialisation, Kate makes complex societal shifts and emerging technologies relatable for audiences. 

Annette Andrews

Annette Andrews is a leading people and culture executive who has held senior HR roles at Ford, Lloyd's of London and Lloyd’s Banking Group. She works with organisations to help develop post-pandemic working practices and considers how ongoing societal changes will affect the workforce. With a focus on diversity and inclusion, she shares her own experiences in a male-dominated field to highlight the importance of integrating people and culture into business strategy.

Rasmus Ankersen

Rasmus describes himself as a ‘high performance anthropologist.’ For his book The Gold Mine Effect, he explored Brazil’s ability to mass produce football superstars, and why so many champion runners hail from one Ethiopian village. The former Co-Director of Football at Brentford FC has also written Hunger In Paradise, a look at how to sustain success, ward off complacency and develop new ideas before they become necessary. In speeches he looks at how to grow talent, create your own disruption, and why so many successful organisations struggle to stay at the top...

Keith Antoine

Keith has coached junior and senior runners in both Olympic and Paralympic competition – including the 2012 men’s amputee 4x100m team. His athletes won one gold and two silver medals in London. Bringing his sporting know-how together with a background in management training, Keith shares techniques to build trust between one another – like a relay team. Getting audiences on their feet, he shows how they can develop the will to improve their performance.

Timothy Armoo

Timothy started Fanbytes at twenty-one and built it to a seventy-five-person business helping brands like Nike, Deliveroo, Samsung, and the UK Government engage with Gen Z through influencer marketing.

Bennett Arron

When identity theft left comedian and writer Bennett Arron homeless and penniless, owing thousands of pounds to banks and phone networks, he turned his experience into an acclaimed documentary, which proved how easy it is for fraudsters to commit such a crime.

Tim Arthur

In a career that has taken in leadership roles in the media, charity, arts, and finance, Tim reflects on the power of purpose-driven leadership, creativity, and human-centred innovation in times of rapid change. Drawing on his commercial leadership and this psychotherapy training, he explores how organisations can build resilient, emotionally intelligent cultures that drive both wellbeing and performance.

Gerald Ashley

Gerald worked in international finance in London, Hong Kong and Switzerland. He has since published The Tangled World and Two Speed World, exploring the impact of both explosive and gradual change. In presentations he shows how we misunderstand risks and have too narrow a view of models and decision making. With no perfect solutions and many ‘known unknowns’, we are often influenced by context and instinctive biases rather than rational analysis.

Zoë Aston

In her work with individuals and a wide range of brands and companies, Zoë explores the mental activities and practices similar to the physical activities required for good physical health. Like our physical health, we often have psychological strengths and weaknesses, and we need to work and rest to recover from injury and build resilience. Whilst the work may not always be easy or comfortable, it leads to longer-term good health as well as better decision-making and an improved ability to face challenging times.

Sir William Atkinson

When William took over at Phoenix High, the school was plagued by poor results and bad behaviour; it soon became a success story for others to follow. William has since advised on measures to reduce youth crime. In presentations he sets out the challenges of taking on a failing entity, identifying structural weaknesses and taking action: “The first task is to explain your intentions and win people’s belief, support and involvement.”

Steve Backley

Steve won medals in three consecutive Olympics and set three world javelin records. He was in the top ten for a decade, ranked No1 for three years. Steve shows how to plan for success, believe in yourself, enjoy rivalry and stay passionate about what you’re doing. He also demonstrates the cost of complacency and what happens when you rest on your laurels: “If you want to continue to be the best in the world, you must behave and compete as if you’re only the second best.”

Nikolas Badminton

Nikolas is a futurist speaker and foresight thought leader that mentors leaders to create more connected, curious and creative teams that embrace futures design to drive more profit and explosive growth. He has spent over thirty years working with leadership at more than three hundred organisations at the frontline of foresight, strategy and disruption

Iona Bain

Money Blogger of the Year and author of Spare Change, Iona has quickly established herself as the leading authority on young people and personal finance. She examines key questions such as what challenger banks and fintech businesses offer that traditional models don’t, and how do companies prepare for a future of work defined more by tasks, short-term projects and the so-called gig economy.

Dr Javier Bajer

Javier is an eminent cognitive psychologist, and an authority in leadership development. He challenges the conventions of talent management, arguing it’s not about hiring the right types or imposing change. Instead the focus must be on creating the culture to drive change. He also shows that the most successful leaders align their beliefs, promises and actions. We become so intent on short-term results that we start to forget there is purpose as well as profit.

Milimo Banji

Award winning entrepreneur, leader and advisor Milimo is the founder and CEO of the Gen Z talent agency TapIn that supports some of the biggest employers in the UK to attract, engage and hire diverse youth talent. He serves as a board member and advisor to FTSE 100 companies, and has in depth of knowledge and insight into the minds of Gen Z.

Adam Banks

Maersk, the world's largest shipping company, runs on technology - systems that track the whereabouts of millions of tonnes of cargo every minute of every day, everywhere in the world. When the company was hit by one of the most severe malicious cyberattacks ever, offices were disconnected, networks failed and computers went blank. Adam recounts a dramatic story of emergency procedures, sleepless nights, improvised systems and frenzied phone calls. A huge team effort kept the company operating, removed the malware, and rebuilt the crucial global network in what has become a lesson fo...

Duncan Bannatyne

It all started with one ice-cream van for the hard-hitting dragon from Glasgow and he’s been whipping companies into shape ever since. Now Duncan owns hotels, health clubs and bars. He motivates budding entrepreneurs with his rags to riches story.

Lionel Barber

As well as editing the daily business institution for 15 years, Lionel has edited the US and European editions. He is also credited with turning a struggling newspaper into a global, digital news platform. He is one of the most respected voices on transatlantic affairs and has written extensively on relations between Washington, London and Brussels. He recounts his experiences covering elections and crises and interviewing world leaders in his book The Powerful and the Damned.

Chris Barez-Brown

Chris is fascinated by people and what makes them tick. He brings out their potential by teaching them how to manage today’s world, rather than have it manage them. His keynotes cover culture change, leadership, innovation, and mental and emotional wellbeing, and leave people feeling inspired and energised.

Emma Barnett

Before joining the presenting team of the agenda-setting Today programme, Emma took over Woman's Hour on its 75th anniversary. She fronted the radio institution for three years, leading the show in a more news-led direction. The Daily Telegraph’s first Digital Editor and former Women's Editor, Emma both presents and speaks with authority, humour and optimism about everything from business and technology to diversity and politics.

Steve Barnett: The Silent Conductor

For nearly thirty years Steve has been engaging and animating audiences through musical interaction, without speaking, and creating unique orchestras. The players are not musicians, there are no rehearsals, and every performance is a one off. He has conducted these ensembles in over fifty countries with organisations from many cultures and languages. The music they create amazes and inspires. Steve says nothing but the experience speaks volumes.

Claer Barrett

The Consumer Editor at the Financial Times and host of their Money Clinic podcast, Claer Barrett has vast knowledge of finance and consumer issues. From economic overviews to personal finance, consumerism to digitalisation, she makes everything she covers accessible and relevant. She considers finance sociologically and explores how it intersects with global issues such as mental health and the gender gap.

Steven Bartlett

Steven Bartlett is an entrepreneur, investor and best-selling author, as well as being the host of Europe's number one podcast The Diary of a CEO, where he takes listeners on an unfiltered journey behind some of the world’s most influential people's remarkable success stories.

Chris Barton

Chris is the founder and first CEO of Shazam. He’s also a three-time startup founder, pioneer of mobile ecosystems at Google and Dropbox, advisor to startup companies, inventor of twelve patents, including one found within the Google search algorithm, and a former strategy consultant serving many industries.

Jason Bates

As one of the key figures behind two of the most successful digital banks in the UK, Jason has a wealth of lessons in the behaviour of a new generation of banking customers as well as the challenges incumbent businesses face. He also looks at the pitfalls of digital transformation, how to innovate and create new products, and what the future of banks and money looks like.

Laura Bates

Laura Bates is the founder of the Everyday Sexism Project, a safe space created to document sexism and raise awareness. Her books Misogynation, Men Who Hate Women and Fix the System, Not the Women, explore the institutionalised beliefs rooted within society that leads to everyday discrimination and looks at what we can do to tackle them.

Baroness (Minette) Batters

Minette was the first woman to lead the National Farmers' Union. During her six years at the helm, she worked with four different Prime Ministers to represent the views of 47,000 farmers. She did so during a period of extreme turbulence, which ranged from the aforementioned political upheaval, to the fallout from Brexit, Covid-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war. 

Mark Beaumont

In an extraordinary show of endurance, Mark cycled around the world in 194 days, taking 81 days off the record. Almost a decade later he took on the challenge again, this time aiming to travel around the world in 80 days. He smashed the existing record for cycling over 18,000 by completing the trip in 78 days. He’s also cycled the length of the Americas and of Africa. His approach is straightforward: “Test your limits - but don’t allow the big picture to frighten you. Devise a series of manageable targets, develop consistent work output, and teach yourself to calculate ...

Professor David Begg

David holds non-Executive board positions in bus and airport operators. He also advises national and local government on roads and rail, and lectures on transport policy. David accepts that HS2 and airport expansion are huge challenges, and adds Highways Agency reform: “The way in which we run our roads is like the last remnant of a Stalinist state. We ration demand by queuing, just as the former Soviet Union used to ration bread.”

Lance Bell

Artist and illustrator Lance provides a live graphic commentary to an event or presentation, visually representing ideas and themes as they emerge.

Kate Bellingham

Originally an electronics engineer specialising in computing, Kate began her broadcast career on Tomorrow’s World. She has worked on programmes for the Open University, 5Live and ITV. Kate is a Patron of WISE – Women into Science, Engineering and Construction and was awarded a UKRC Women of Outstanding Achievement Award for her work in communicating science, engineering and technology.

Alex Bellos

In an earlier life Alex was a Guardian correspondent in South America and Pele’s ghost-writer. Now he is known as the person who reclaimed maths from the geeks. He’s the author of bestsellers Alex’s Adventures in Numberland and Alex Through the Looking-Glass which, like his speeches, celebrate the magic of maths and how it underpins everything we do. He also exposes the predictability of random behaviour.

Tal Ben-Shahar

Combining academic research with everyday examples of life and work, Tal delivers insights into leadership, goals and purpose, self-esteem and resilience. The author of The Joy of Leadership and Happier looks at how to build anti-fragility which sees not just recovery from a crisis, but growth, with a focus on purpose, balance and reflection.

Baroness (Floella) Benjamin of Beckenham

Floella was born in Trinidad and brought up in England. After leaving school at sixteen she spent three years in the world of banking and accountancy, but that world didn’t suit her effervescent personality and she soon found her way into the world of showbusiness. She has had a diverse and varied career in several sectors of the entertainment industry as an actor, presenter, writer, independent producer, businesswoman, and media regulator. She is best known as the iconic presenter of the BBC’s legendary children’s programmes, Playschool and Playaway, through which she ...

Dan Bennett

Dan enraptures audiences with an interactive journey into the discipline of applying behavioural science and how to change behaviours.

Lucy Beresford

Lucy advises corporates on stress and motivation, demystifies mental health, and analyses politics and the psychology of the electorate. As a mental health expert, Lucy has authored a number of acclaimed fiction and non-fiction books and is a regular panellist on the TV show Jeremy Vine on 5.

Munroe Bergdorf

A model and an activist, Munroe is a passionate voice for inclusivity and diversity. Appointed by the UN as a Changemaker, she consults with companies, writes for global publications and uses her online presence to educate and empower others to create positive change. She believes in the power of education and the importance of shame-free accountability.

Luciana Berger

Luciana has held various shadow ministerial positions, including Shadow Minister for Public Health, Shadow Minister for Energy and Climate Change, and she was the first ever Shadow Cabinet Minister for Mental Health. She is CEO of iNHouse Communications, Chair of the Maternal Mental Health Alliance and Vice-President of the Jewish Leadership Council.

Professor Mike Berners-Lee

A leading mind on carbon metrics, and on climate change and sustainability more broadly, Mike looks at how both individuals and organisations can play their part in keeping the planet habitable. In his speeches, as in his books, he looks at the big picture on climate change, the small details around the effects of small everyday items (even a Google search), and the effect of the underlying political and economical dynamics surrounding the world's biggest challenge.

Caspar Berry

Whether in leading a team or negotiating, risk plays a role in all our lives. The former professional poker player (and advisor on Casino Royale) shows how to distinguish between a calculated risk and a reckless gamble. He believes there’s a long way between the edge of our comfort zone and the acceptable limits of risk in almost any organisation. Offering practical insights into the science of decision-making, Caspar helps combat the fear of short term failure. Poker School: Even if one or two guests start off not recognising a flush or a full house, the former actor and Las Vegas...

Dr Dame Claire Bertschinger

Claire was a young field nurse in Ethiopia when Michael Buerk interviewed her for a BBC report on the famine. She was irritated by his ‘stupid questions,’ but told him her grimmest task was to decide which children might survive if let in to the feeding station, and which must be left to die. The report inspired Geldof to set up Live Aid. Claire explains that everybody can make a difference and create value, not just be a consumer.

Jason Bevan

Jason was responsible for the creative development process at Warner Bros. Studios, marketing movies in EMEA from the Harry Potter/Fantastic Beasts films, the Lego movies, The Hobbit trilogy, Joker, A Star Is Born, the Hangover films, and the Conjuring and IT franchises. He reveals how some of the best-known filmmakers, cast and studios he worked with come up with their iconic film ideas and stories, and how we can use their simple, powerful techniques to rocket-fuel our innovation and creativity.

Zahaan Bharmal

Zahaan Bharmal has served as Chief of Staff to Google’s Chief Marketing Officer, and as Head of Strategy at Google DeepMind. As Senior Director of AI Marketing for EMEA, he shapes how AI is communicated and understood across the region. A former Government policy advisor and speechwriter, and the author of the acclaimed The Art of Physics, he shares his unique perspective on the intersection of AI, physics, and human decision-making.

Jahkini Bisselink

At eighteen years old, Jahkini was elected to be the Dutch Youth Representative at the United Nations, where she was invited to speak about meaningful youth representation in global policy making. Now she is a youth expert at Whetston strategic foresight, and continues her work researching trends amongst generation Z.

Mhairi Black

At the time of her election, Mhairi was the youngest MP elected to the Commons in almost 200 years. She quickly proved herself with a series of speeches, proving herself as a passionate advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, mental health, and women's rights.

Roger Black

Roger was part of the team that clinched gold from the Americans in the 4x400m relay at the Tokyo World Championships. He also won Olympic silver, beaten only by Michael Johnson in Atlanta. Having achieved individually and as part of a team, Roger understands what it takes to become a champion and describes his 'Five Fundamentals' for success.

Professor Sue Black

Known for her social media campaign to save Bletchley Park, Sue Black is a computer scientist and a passionate advocate for women in tech. Navigating her PHD at 25 years old as a single parent of three, she found technology to be her saviour. Now, she has created networks and social enterprises to pass on her knowledge and empower people.

Karen Blackett

The UK country manager for the global advertising giant WPP, Karen also serves as CEO of Group M, WPP's media investment arm. With over 20 years at the forefront of the media and advertising industry she is one of the most influential figures in the sector. She considers how to realise creative, vibrant cultures within organisations, combining growth with motivative, engaged and diverse teams. Karen is also a non-executive board member of the Cabinet Office and a non-exec director of Creative England.

Jonty Bloom

Jonty was at the forefront of BBC radio and online coverage of the latest economic, business and European stories – from the workings of the central banks to the changing face of the high street.

Daniel Bobroff

Daniel launched in-game advertising and developed bestselling video games before founding the online fashion company’s venture capital division. Scouring the world for innovations, he assembled a network of FashionTech talent and forged partnerships across marketing, production and imagery. In presentations Daniel considers the demand for instant experiences and relationships, how every business is becoming a tech business, and how to find and grow talent.

Catherine Bohart

The Irish comedian and writer has made multiple appearances on shows such Mock The Week, A League Of Their Own, 8 Out Of 10 Cats, and The Stand Up Sketch Show and was also a regular correspondent on The Mash Report.

Hon Usain Bolt

Arguably one of the greatest sportsmen of his day, Usain Bolt is the first person ever to win back-to-back Olympic golds at 100m, 200m and 4x100m. A popular and flamboyant character, Usain takes questions on everything from the key to his success to what it’s like to be the fastest man on the planet.

Liz Bonnin

Having started out presenting music and entertainment shows, Liz returned to her passion for science and nature, fronting Stargazing Live, Bang Goes the Theory, Horizon and documentaries including the award-winning Galapagos and the influential Drowning In Plastic.

Roger Bootle

Roger is a former HSBC Chief Economist and winner of the Wolfson Prize for his and his team's study on how a country would leave the Euro. In his book The Trouble With Europe he considers how to make Brexit a success and how to reform the EU. Speaking without hyperbole, Roger weighs up the arguments for ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ outcomes, explores how trading relationships might work and considers the concerns of key industries and the implications for Scotland. He also looks at the potential impact of technology and AI on business, policy making and the wider economy...

Rachel Botsman

Rachel’s first book, What’s Mine is Yours, shone a light on the gig economy. In Who Can You Trust? she considers the implications when we lose faith in institutions and the media. What is the role of the tech giants, how can leaders restore the trust of consumers and employees – and what does it mean for everything from elections to health to digital money? Rachel explains how trust works.

Adam Boulton

Over four decades, Adam has interviewed a remarkable nine Prime Ministers stretching back to Alec Douglas-Home. He’s covered eight general elections, Barack Obama’s first 100 days in office, and some of the biggest stories in politics and beyond. An author, presenter, columnist and founder member of the Sky News team, the former Political Editor is one of the best known political broadcasters in the country.

Kyran Bracken

Though plagued with injury, Kyran earned 170 Saracens caps and 50 for England – including a big contribution to the famous World Cup win. He explains how the team had several leaders, each responsible for their discipline but following a single game plan. As in business, they fought hard to deliver results and to leave the opposition in their wake. After dinner, the Dancing on Ice champion tells how his team became the best in the world - and describes the journey from turnovers to toe loops.

Tim Bradshaw

Tim is a former British Army Intelligence Officer and 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 and influence the outcome of extremely sensitive and dangerous situations. Since leaving the Army, Tim founded, and is a director of Sandstone Communications, an international leadership and team building consultancy.

Gyles Brandreth

The diarist, novelist, and panellist is a reporter for The One Show, a regular on This Morning and brings his extraordinary wordplay to Radio 4 comedy. After dinner he reveals the part he played in the biggest cheque in British history, the 7 secrets of happiness and how Westminster and Whitehall really work.

Joeli Brearley

A tireless advocate for workplace equality, Joeli empowers parents and challenges the status quo. She has received an MBE for services to Working Families.

Rachel Bridge

The former Sunday Times’ Enterprise Editor has spent time with entrepreneurs of all shades, including many of the world’s most successful. Rachel takes the lessons they’ve learned, myths dispelled and mistakes made, and weaves an entertaining look at how (in theory) anyone can make a million by lunchtime.

Leonard Brody

After leading one of the biggest tech IPOs of its time, Leonard founded the pioneering citizen journalism site NowPublic. He sold the business to the sports and live promotions giant Anschutz where he led their digital strategy. He’s since become a partner at talent management giant CAA, working on projects with their A-list talent enabling them to establish brands and businesses beyond their core work. He's also a co-owner of Coventry City FC, has invested in around 20 businesses a year, and created The Great Rewrite project with Forbes and KPMG, an examination of trends ...

Alex Brooker

Despite a number of attempts Alex failed to qualify for any event in the Paralympics, but he did make it to the coverage team. He now co-hosts Channel 4’s The Last Leg.

Steve Brown

Steve fell from a balcony in his early 20s and was paralysed from the chest down. Wheelchair rugby (aka murderball) provided the focus and support he needed to rebuild his life. Now a broadcaster and a regular on Countryfile, The One Show, and Springwatch, he speaks with humour and energy about his inspiring journey from injury to captaining his team at London 2012 to his lifelong ambition to present wildlife programmes, and the lessons in leadership, teamwork and motivation he learned along the way.

Tina Brown

When Tina was Editor of Tatler she transformed it into a modern glossy magazine, commissioning celebrated photographers and writers. She gained further prominence as the Editor of Vanity Fair, and The New Yorker, and revitalised sales through her understanding of contemporary interests. She also founded The Daily Beast, which twice won the Webby Award for Best News Site, and the Women in the World Summit.

Richard Browning

Working for BP for over a decade, Richard has been responsible for a series of innovations with the oil giant, but he has also witnessed first-hand the barriers to and difficulties with innovative thinking in large organisations. His most high-profile project, a personal flight system likened to Marvel’s Iron Man, is just one illustration of his ideas around innovation and why failure is essential to new discoveries and improvements.

Fiona Bruce

One of the BBC’s best-known presenters, alongside Question Time and Ten O’Clock News duties Fiona also fronts Antiques Roadshow and Fake or Fortune? Her career has also taken in quiz shows, state occasions and documentaries.

Brett Bruen

Having served as a diplomat and foreign service officer for the US State Department, Brett was appointed to the White House as Director of Global Engagement under the Obama administration. With a wide-ranging view on political and diplomatic relations around the world, as well as America's role internationally, he now considers the key issues any organisation needs to prepare for. Additionally he looks at how to plan for the unexpected, the effects of policy shifts, what effective leadership looks like, and how to assess risk whether it's cybersecurity, ethics, or market fluctuat...

David Bryon

When he isn’t pursuing his second career as a club comedian, the former MD of bmibaby uncovers the truth about airport check-ins, customer relations, in- flight communication and other joys of 21st century travel. In conferences he looks at the valuable lessons for any business dealing with the public. After dinner, audiences are also invited to practise safety procedure, but not quite as we know it.

Marcus Buckingham

Marcus Buckingham is an acclaimed writer, speaker and consultant. He speaks about individual strengths, leadership and engagement. He focuses on the tools to help leaders and would-be leaders become better at identifying their strengths and how to succeed.

Dr Steve Bull

Steve served as HQ psychologist to Team GB at three Olympic Games. He also worked with the England Cricket Team for 16 years - during which time they regained the Ashes from Australia after 18 years and went on to reach No.1 in the world rankings for the first time ever. Steve considers resilience to be a crucial factor in organisational performance and outlines a range of techniques for creating the right mindset for thriving under pressure.

Geoff Burch

In his early career Geoff was often thought of as a disruptive influence; today they say ‘change agent’. In Self Made Me he considers how virtually any SME can be successful – even in troubled times. Slaying a sacred cow or two in a very entertaining speech, he believes we’ve had enough of ‘soaring with eagles’. Geoff provides empirical data, hard facts to convert into improving the business: “Finding and keeping customers is the only activity that matters.”

Oliver Burkeman

Known for his long running Guardian column, This Column Will Change Your Life, Oliver has also written The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Can’t Stand Positive Thinking and Four Thousand Weeks, Time and How to Use It. He explores happiness, productivity and how to make the most of the time that we have in an ever accelerating world.

Phil Burt

Working with Dave Brailsford, Steve Peters, Chris Boardman and others in the Marginal Gains group, Phil offers a unique insight into how British Cycling became world-beaters. With examples from the likes of Bradley Wiggins and Chris Hoy, he considers innovation, elite performance, and leadership culture from one of the few areas that had input in almost every aspect of the team from medical to training to equipment design.

William Butler-Adams

Brimful of passion for engineering, Will is helping to revive UK manufacturing prowess. Brompton design, produce and distribute 50,000+ folding bicycles each year from their London factory – with half the 1200 parts made onsite. Exports account for 80% of sales. With cycle hire stations, Brompton Junction stores and retailers in 44 world markets, they continue to explore new markets and innovations from the addition of electric motors to the connected bike. Riding onto the stage, Will explains his belief in ‘built-out’ obsolescence.

Professor Tanya Byron

An experienced consultant clinical psychologist, Tanya is also a writer and broadcaster tackling subjects from serious behavioural problems to workplace stress and the effects of living in the digital age. She has worked with the NHS, government, academia and broadcasters to introduce policy and widen understanding of mental health and work-life balance in the digital age.

James Caan

James has been building and selling businesses for 20 years. While he has left the Den, he continues to spread his word via an app for SMEs. James believes in backing individuals rather than just looking at the balance sheet, harnessing their passion and encouraging them to stay. As befits a man who left school at 16 but later sent himself to Harvard, James also talks about self-belief. He’s always followed his father’s mantra – “Observe the masses and do the opposite.”

Susan Cain

Acclaimed TED speaker Susan Cain is the co-founder of Quiet Revolution and the author of Quiet Power: The Secret Strengths of Introverts, and Quiet: The Power of Introverts in A World That Can’t Stop Talking, the latter of which was on the New York Times bestseller list for over four years.

Dame Frances Cairncross

The ex-Management Editor at The Economist surveys the landscape. Frances argues that the pace and stability of UK recovery will be held back until we make real progress on deficit reduction. She also suggests that we may find we haven’t measured productivity very well, complicated by the proportion of GDP coming from services – and the difficulty of calculating the impact of the digital world.

Simon Calder

The travel writer and broadcaster has straddled the world, but always insists on paying his way. Perhaps that’s why his favourite trip is the No.11 route from Liverpool Street to Camden. As you’d expect from a professional itinerant, Simon’s topics span Aberdeen to Zanzibar, via budget airlines.

Simon Calver

After success with Lovefilm, Simon served as CEO at Mothercare. He’s now behind a major tech fund and Chairman of moo.com, the print-on-demand firm. In presentations Simon explores the emerging models, what large companies can learn from small ones and where the next waves of innovation will come from. Acknowledging that every organisation has its own rhythm, Simon shows how to communicate changes, revolutionise culture and track performance.

Natalie Campbell

The co-CEO of ethical water company Belu Water has a portfolio career ranging from setting up a company to a global social innovation consultancy and encouraging insight and innovation within The Royal Foundation, to hosting her own show on Badass Women's Hour on TalkRadio. Natalie shares how to disrupt business practices for the better.

Tim Campbell

Tim is a social enterprise entrepreneur whose work focuses on supporting the unemployed, and disadvantaged to get into business and championing education and apprenticeships. He is also Lord Sugar’s right-hand man on The Apprentice, over a decade after winning the show himself. In presentations, he shares his own journey, what it means to have the mindset of an entrepreneur and the importance of inclusion.

Charlie Cannon

Psychologically trained coach Charlie takes individuals, teams, and leaders of organisations to new heights of performance. As a people performance specialist and resiliency expert his high-energy, interactive keynotes and masterclasses draw upon extensive research and personal experience that arm audiences with life-changing tools.

Dr Ellie Cannon

Dr Ellie is one of a new generation of doctors where communication skills are paramount. She has the medical knowledge but also the vibrant personality and vitality to relate to her patients and audiences. Ellie specialises in communication and is as comfortable talking to new mums with their babies as she is dealing with the sex lives of teenagers. As a GP, having a broad family health practice allows her to speak with authority on issues across all aspects of health and the NHS.

René Carayol

René is an author, broadcaster, advisor and executive coach. He's worked with businesses and leaders around the world and examines the key behaviours that help leaders deal with a wide range of challenges, from changing organisational cultures to communicating strategy, practically embracing diversity and inclusion to responding to crises and scrutiny. He considers how leadership has changed from hierarchy to collaboration, authenticity and openness. Events are too complex and move too fast for one person to get it right all the time: leadership is not an indivi...

Peter Cardwell

Peter has had a unique career in both the highest levels of Government and broadcast journalism. He was appointed by two successive Prime Ministers as Special Adviser to two Northern Ireland Secretaries, a Home Secretary, Housing Secretary and Justice Secretary, delivering tactical and strategic advice, crisis management and media handling within significant government departments. He recounted much of it in his book, The Secret Life of Special Advisers. He is now the Political Editor and Presenter at TalkRadio.

Caroline Casey

Founder of numerous organisations and campaigns, including The Valuable 500 and the Ability Awards, Caroline has worked extensively with business to highlight the potential of over a billion people worldwide with a disability. As well as understanding the business case for more inclusive hiring and development policies Caroline also recounts her own inspiring story of growing up blind, but only being made aware of the fact when she was 17.

Thomas Castaignède

The smiling former French international and occasional Guardian columnist won three league titles and one European Cup. After dinner he muses on the game’s greats and what he’s learned about positive thinking and pressure management. He might also mention the post match meals, with “meat cooked the English way like the sole of a boot.”

Glenn Catley

The former world super-middleweight champion is now both a Eurosport pundit and a hypnotherapist, helping young people back into work. After dinner he talks about coming face to face with a man who wants to render you unconscious. He also explains why he failed to hypnotise himself.

Rt Hon Baroness Camilla Cavendish

The FT columnist and Extra Time author headed the No.10 Policy Unit and devised the sugar tax. She considers the consequences of AI and automation, the future of work, the ageing population, and how we manage workplaces spanning five generations. Camilla foresees a fourth stage of education, a career ‘lattice’ in place of a ladder, and doctors needing more EQ than IQ.

Rt Hon Baroness (Shami) Chakrabarti

Shami turned Liberty into an effective campaigning organisation, leading debate on civil rights from ID cards to surveillance. The Sun once dubbed her ‘the most dangerous woman in Britain.’ In presentations Shami weighs up the balance between privacy and security – for government, business and individuals. While privacy cannot be an absolute in the context of national security, as every brand is based on trust it makes sense to see it as a top priority.

Dr Sweta Chakraborty

Sweta is an incisive voice on the science behind human decision-making and its impact on societies, institutions and ecological networks. She brings expert knowledge from both the private and public sector to bear on some of the biggest challenges of our time, most notably climate change and Covid-19. Sweta is the US representative of We Don't Have Time, a climate-focussed organisation, and also co-hosts Risky Behavior, a podcast that sheds light on human behaviour in relation to food, drugs and sex. 

JJ Chalmers

Former Royal Marine JJ almost died in an explosion whilst out on patrol in Afghanistan. After months of gruelling rehab he competed in the Invictus Games and went on to become a presenter for Channel 4 and the BBC. He recounts a compelling story of hope, determination, courage and teamwork.

Alan Chambers

The former Royal Marine (aka The Arctic Tractor) led the first unsupported UK expedition from Canada to the geographic North Pole. After taking disaffected British children to African classrooms with Channel 4, Alan showed us the method to making good with a book: Lead Yourself To Success. In presentations he emphasises the need to question norms, build total trust and make decisions purely based on the facts. Alan also advocates leading from behind.

Professor Stephen Chan

A leading authority on international politics and relations, particularly involving China, Africa and the West, Stephen advises governments, businesses and NGOs around the world. He's advised the Foreign Office, and worked with the State Council of the Chinese Prime Minister. He served as a member of the Africa-China-US Trilateral Dialogue to establish trading rules and is widely credited with greatly contributing to the understanding of international politics in general, and African politics in particular.

Preet Chandi

Preet is a physiotherapist and British Army medical officer. She is the ninth woman in history to ski solo to the South Pole, and the first woman of colour to complete a solo expedition on the continent.

Marita Cheng

Technology entrepreneur, roboticist, non-profit founder and advocate for women in STEM, Marita has created robotics and AI tools that improve lives, from telepresence robots that help those physically separated or otherwise unable to interact with an environment to engage with other people and places, to object-recognition apps for the visually impaired. She explores how technology can change the world for the better, and how to make sure it is human-centred, inclusive, and helps us to realise our potential.

Fumbi Chima

Prior to her role as at BECU Fumbi was the Chief Information Officer at Adidas, and held CIO roles at Fox Networks, Burberry, and Walmart. She has worked complex global IT transformation and digitalisation programmes, bringing together stakeholders, and driving changes in strategy and culture. Fumbi’s work has also seen her involved in projects incorporating risk and innovation, culture change, diversity, talent retention, and leadership.

Ajay Chowdhury

Ajay has twenty-five years start-up venture experience, building disruptive new digital businesses in a wide range of industries. Selected to be part of the Asian Power 100, Ajay won Dealmaker of the Year award from M&A Magazine, is one of the Top 100 Asian tech stars and was selected as one of the Sunday Times top 100 BAME business leaders in the UK.

Ben Chu

After studying Modern History at Jesus College, Oxford, Ben joined The Independent where he became a leader writer and then Economics Editor, before joining Newsnight.

Rt Hon Sir James Cleverly

In a career spanning the military, business, and local and national politics, James is one of a handful of politicians in history to have served as both Foreign and Home Secretary. Serving through some of the most tumultuous times domestically and internationally, James has a unique insight into the workings of politics and diplomacy, strategy and decision-making. He explores what good and bad leadership looks like, the risks of success, and what the future holds for UK, European and global politics.

Rita Clifton

Brand expert Rita was President of the Market Research Society, Vice Chairman and Strategy Director at Saatchi & Saatchi, and CEO and Chair of Interbrand, the company behind the Best Global Brands list. She defines a brand as an organising idea, setting you apart from competition: “It’s about building values and ethics, communicating and living up to them – especially in the digital space where mistakes are never laid to rest. Without trust, you can’t have a brand.” Rita talks about reputation, internal brand management and digital branding.

Graham Cluley

Graham started work on anti-virus software 25 years ago, long before the term cybersecurity was coined. In a gripping presentation he describes the damage caused by targeted attacks - from theft of data and IP to loss of reputation. He reveals the real-world, everyday nature of many attacks, from ransomware to spear-phishing emails and the often quite mundane ways in which companies, even the likes of Google and Facebook, have lost millions through security gaps that are as likely to be human as technical.

Dr Ed Coats

Ed was chosen to join Cracknell and Fogle in a race to the South Pole. They skied for 16 hours each day and came in second – without any polar experience. In his workshop the hospital doctor uses storytelling and mindfulness techniques to give participants the tools to embrace challenge and live for the moment. Ed shows how exploring our feelings, opening up to change, managing criticism and agreeing short-term goals helps us withstand extreme pressure.

Dan Cobley

Originally an oil exploration engineer and marketer, Dan became head of Google UK – with responsibility for $5bn revenue. He’s now focused on founding and investing in fintech, with the aim of disrupting financial services. In his speeches Dan shows how Google use technology in the search for transformative solutions to major problems whilst also considering the next sector to be disruptive and lessons in rapid growth and innovation.

Dr Sabrina Cohen-Hatton

One of the most senior women in the fire service, Sabrina combines experience in making tough decisions in pressurised, stressful situations with studying the behavioural neuroscience of decision making. As well as insights into leadership and risk, her own personal story - homeless at 15, a firefighter at 18, combining frontline service with studying for a PhD in Psychology - is a lesson in resilience, determination and achievement.

Marverine Cole

Marverine is an award winning journalist and broadcaster. She has appeared on many of the UK’s most watched and listened to broadcasters, including Sky News, 5 News, BBC 5 Live and BBC Radio 4, and has joined the presening team at Good Morning Britain. 

Reverend Richard Coles

In a previous incarnation the priest, presenter, writer and I'm A Celebrity... scored chart success with Don’t Leave Me This Way. Since the heady days of 1980s pop stardom he’s been an agony uncle, a best-selling memoirist, a regular on Have I Got News For You, and a contestant on Strictly, Masterchef, as well as in the jungle. After dinner he admits to lurid excesses as a Communard, reveals how he got through the interview to train as a vicar, and how they avoid poisoning on Bake Off.

Pierluigi Collina

Pierluigi is the most widely admired of all World Cup referees. The one-time financial advisor argues that he practised a simple creed as relevant to business as football: analyse each team’s tactics to ensure you’re in the right place at the right time; defuse any tense situation quickly and fairly; and above all learn from your mistakes: “In a fast moving environment, with a number of factors in play, use all the resources at your disposal to make the best possible decision.”

Philip Collins

Philip was once a teacher and an equity strategist before becoming Tony Blair’s chief speech writer. As a writer for The Times and The New Statesman, Philip has explored the personalities, compromises and agenda of the leading political players as well as the broader nature of modern politics and society. Alongside examining what persuasive communication looks like, he also considers the power of speeches and storytelling.

Colonel Tim Collins

Tim’s rallying cry to his troops on the eve of invasion in Iraq captured worldwide attention. He now heads a security services company that has trained Afghans and helped African armies contain the Ebola threat. Tim sets out the leader’s role: “Get your reason and organisation right, make sure the right people are in the right spirit, ensure your team pull together and fully understand each others’ roles, issue the right instructions – and then let them get on with it.”

Alexis Conran

Originally an advisor on the TV drama Hustle, Alexis moved to hoodwinking his victims onscreen with The Real Hustle before fronting Discovery’s Man v Expert and Hustling America. He’s also attempted to persuade his tech-sceptic friend Marcus Brigstocke of the virtues of gadgets on The Joy of Techs, and been a MasterChef champion. He reveals the psychology and behaviours that fraudsters often take advantage of as well as looking at the risks businesses and individuals face.

Sir Alastair Cook

In 12 years playing for England, four of them as captain, Alastair achieved almost everything the game had to offer, becoming England’s all-time leading test run-scorer with over 12,000 runs to his name and taking the team to the top of the test nation rankings. He led the team through good times and bad, and helped maintain team unity throughout.

Gordon Corera

Gordon Corera has spent over two decades covering intelligence, national security, cybersecurity and risk. As BBC Security Correspondent he has reported from all over the world, explaining the complex worlds of espionage, terrorism and geopolitics. He combines access to some of the most secretive organisations and agencies in the world with an ability to make complex, sometimes troubling information relevant, accessible, and even entertaining, as heard in The Rest is Classified podcast.

Fearne Cotton

Fearne is one of the most recognisable TV and radio hosts in the UK. She’s also a bestselling author and founder of the wellbeing brand Happy Place, which became the premise for her chart-topping podcast.

Mike Coupe

When Mike took control, 5% of Sainsbury’s sales were online. He acquired Argos and the Nectar scheme, and saw online rise to 44%. Looking at challenges facing retailers, including the supply chain, Mike remains confident in the high street. Leaders must decentralise, stay close to the front line, and communicate relentlessly. We must also learn to act before the picture is entirely clear.

Felicity Cowie

As a Former BBC News and Panorama Editor and Producer, Felicity is an expert in the field of communication. She is the author of the book Exposure, which explains how business can utilise the media to its advantage, and relfects on her experience in journalism in speeches, where she inspires audiences to become better communicators. 

Kadeena Cox

Kadeena is a history-making Paralympian, winning gold medals in two different sports at the same Games. A promising sprinter, her sporting career changed course when she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis following a stroke. Not allowing her illness to get in the way of her dreams, she went on to secure a place at the Paralympics in both 2016 and 2020 winning a total of six medals across cycling and athletics. Away from the track, she champions diversity in cycling and has appeared on I’m a Celebrity and Celebrity Masterchef.

Professor Brian Cox

Brian brings scientific discovery to life for millions. He is also a leading experimental physicist, helping to recreate the conditions 1/1000000000th of a second after Big Bang “to confirm the universe’s underlying simplicity.” With breathtaking images, Brian shows how science shocks and excites our imagination, as well as bringing humanity together. He also sets out the case for co-ordinated investment in science as key to job creation and growth.

James Cracknell

After his partnership with Matt Pinsent, the double Olympic champion teamed up with Ben Fogle for a series of adventures. They rowed across the Atlantic and raced to the South Pole. In their next challenge (to run, swim and cycle across the States), James was very nearly killed by a truck. He endured a gruelling physical and neurological recovery – then took part in the coldest race on earth. James explains why we should all continue to test our limits.

Dr Hannah Critchlow

Neuroscientist, broadcaster, and author Hannah has appeared as a Science Presenter on Family Brain Games with Dara Ó Briain, Tomorrow’s World Live and BBC Radio 4’s Destiny and the Brain. Her book The Science of Fate, was a Sunday Times Bestseller. She has been recognised as a Top 100 UK scientist by the UK Science Council and named as one of Cambridge University’s most inspirational and successful women in science for her work in science communication.

BJ Cunningham

BJ is a serial entrepreneur and ‘Brand Guru’. He famously created DEATH Cigarettes, then established and sold an integrated brand marketing agency, and co-author an international business best seller. He then established and sold the luxury women’s shoe brand Georgina Goodman, the bamboo cotton SocksoSimple brand, and reignited DEATH Cigarettes as a streetwear brand. A Visiting Professor at Brighton University, he also acts as a Board Level Brand Marketing Consultant to global brands and travels internationally as a highly acclaimed keynote speaker.

Declan Curry

After acquiring a big fan base for his early morning market reports, Declan moved to Working Lunch and 5 Live’s On the Money.

Bruce Daisley

Having led Twitter's business across three continents, and worked with some of the world's biggest companies, Bruce now examines the lessons in what makes a company great, and what motivates people in their jobs. He is the author of The Joy of Work: 30 Ways to Fix Your Work Culture and Fall in Love with Your Job Again, and host of the Eat Sleep Work Repeat podcast. Bruce is regarded as one the most respected thought leaders on the subject of workplace culture, and the future of work.

Tom Daley

Tom Daley is an Olympic diver who won gold for Team GB alongside Matty Lee at the 2021 Tokyo Games, marking his fourth and highest-achieving Olympic medal to date. As well as a champion in his sport, Tom is a proud spokesperson for the LGBTQ+ community.

Jeremy Dalton

A specialist in immersive technologies, Jeremy helps businesses and governments understand the benefits of virtual and augmented reality and how they can be implemented to enhance training, culture and remote working.

Ann Daniels

With no experience of extreme sport, Ann found herself applying to join a polar expedition. She has since ski-ed to both Poles, completed more than 10 expeditions and spent over 400 days on the ice. She has also led scientific expeditions to study the changes in the Polar regions. Ann describes how she's endured the harshest of climates and most unpredictable of circumstances with lessons and insights into leadership, teamwork, planning and belief.

Karen Darke

Karen has kayaked through Alaska’s Inner Passage and cycled from Tibet to Nepal, in spite of paralysis from the chest down. After claiming silver in London she squeezed in (and filmed) an Iron Man contest as part of her build up to Rio, and then took gold in the Paralympics (despite losing a year’s training after being hit by a car). Karen shows how we can best understand ourselves and others by attempting challenges. The emotions they untap aren’t signs of weakness, they help us heal: “Listening to yourself and dealing with fear makes you stronger.”

Lord (Kim) Darroch

With a diplomatic career spanning over forty years, primarily focusing on national security issues and European policy, Kim has now retired from frontline diplomacy but maintains a keen view of relations with the US and the geopolitical uncertainty affecting everything from trade to military conflict to democracy.

Sir Howard Davies

Howard has served as Chairman of the FSA, Deputy Governor of the Bank of England, Controller of the Audit Commission and CBI Director General. He also headed the Government commission examining UK airport capacity. In presentations Howard considers progress on reforming the regulatory landscape and driving competitiveness in Europe. He also casts light on the latest developments in China and assesses the implications for Western economies.

Jonathan Davies

One of the greatest players of his generation, few sportsmen have been as versatile in both rugby codes as Jonathan Davies. He caused a major sensation when he left Wales and Rugby Union for the professional league - but he quickly silenced the detractors. Known for his fitness and physical commitment, it came as no surprise that he was still good enough to make the first team when he returned to Wales ten years after his debut.

Andrew Davis

Since his early days running chatrooms before helping MySpace to attract 10m UK users, Andrew has become one of the foremost experts in digital transformation and the power of digital platforms and social media to disrupt business. He has worked with businesses of all types, as well as education and the public sector to better understand the digital world and what it means for their organisations, goals and strategies, from the use of data to telling a compelling and consistent narrative.

Elizabeth Day

In an age where we are constantly exposed to the achievements of others through social media, Elizabeth’s How To Fail podcast became an instant hit, exposing the myths behind the curated image of success. In interviewing some of the UK’s leading artists and thinkers, she exposes how closely connected success and failure are, and how to navigate between the two in a world that demands so much. 

Thimon de Jong

Thimon is a behavioural expert and the founder of Whetston / strategic foresight. He has helped clients like Ikea, Morgan Stanley, Google, and Novartis to future proof their leaders and business strategies. A sought-after global keynote speaker and leadership trainer, Thimon has been ranked ‘highest-rated speaker’ at more than one hundred business conferences and leadership programs. Audiences praise his entertaining, interactive sessions, full of practical take-aways that are rooted in research.

Ortis Deley

As well as hosting The Gadget Show, Ortis has appeared as a technology reporter on The One Show, and a panellist on The Jeremy Vine Show. His love of technology and science has led to working with the Science Museum, to show that STEM is for everyone.

Panicos Demetriades

A widely respected economist, Panicos was charged with helping leading Cyprus out of a financial crisis that threatened its whole economy. The experience gave him an insight into the ECB, the fragility of the banking sector, Russian influences and political decision-making. He considers the outlook for global growth, a post-Brexit EU, and the big issues affecting business and politics.

Susie Dent

Best known for presiding over Dictionary Corner, Susie examines the baffling origins and surprising meanings of words and phrases. The author of over a dozen books on words and language, she also hosts the Something Rhymes with Purple podcast and regularly appears on TV and radio including on The One Show, Would I Lie to You?, Woman's Hour, and, of course, Countdown's comedy sister show, 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown.

Grace Dent

As a columnist, Grace wrote weekly columns for The Independent and The London Evening Standard until she took on the role of restaurant critic for The Guardian, for which she won the Guild of Food Writers' Food Writing. She also appears on MasterChef, and hosts the hugely successful podcast Comfort Eating, where she chats to celebrity guests about food.

Shani Dhanda

The founder of three diversity and inclusion initiatives; Diversability, the Asian Woman Festival, and the Asian Disability Network, Shani is one of the UK’s highest-profile and most influential disability campaigners, regularly appearing in the media from Channel 4 News to BBC One’s The Truth About Looking Good to LinkedIn’s biggest TV and print ad campaign.

Peter Diamandis

Engineer, author, entrepreneur, and co-founder and executive chairman of the Singularity University, Peter Diamandis is arguably one of the world’s leading authorities on innovation. He is particularly passionate about space, a subject he’s been involved in since his time at medical school when he co-founded the International Space University. Now involved in a wide range of companies and projects covering biotech to robotics, he also leads the X PRIZE, a $10 million competition aimed at inspiring the next generation of space travel and exploration.

Dr Frank Dick

Frank has trained sporting legends from Daley Thompson to Boris Becker, and was responsible for UK athletics during a period of unprecedented success at both team and individual level. Using sport as metaphor, his presentations prepare for the challenges of business: ‘What do you want to achieve, what will it cost – and are you prepared to pay the price?’ Frank examines the four factors that can knock the wind out of your sails, and sets out how to create the right climate to win.

Bruce Dickinson

Alongside his larger-than-life persona as lead singer for Iron Maiden, Bruce holds a myriad of experience in business, entrepreneurialism, mentoring and creative thinking. He is in great demand to share the secrets of his proficiency, insight, and knowledge in his ever-expanding professional fields.

Fraser Doherty

Using his grandmother’s jam recipes, Fraser set up his business at 14, hit the shelves at Waitrose at 18 and now supplies 2,000 supermarkets from Russia to Australia. He’s continuing to expand, and is also the co-founder of the world’s largest craft ale delivery business, Beer52. In speeches Fraser extols social enterprise and telling your own story, explains his approach to product development and innovation, and shows how to turn ordinary into extraordinary.

Monty Don

Monty was twice expelled from school, and saw his first business (in jewellery) end in ruin. He’s suffered serious illness as well as financial disasters, but each time he’s emerged stronger and more determined. The Gardeners’ World frontman has never had a set career plan but he does have a remarkable story.

Alexander Dragonetti

From leading responses to natural disasters to peace negotiations to walking the psychological tightrope of The Traitors, Alexander has gone from teaching in a tough London school to Gaza and the Hindu Kush to a Scottish castle. He reflects on the lessons in risk, communication and values he's learned through his adventurous, unconventional life.

Professor Marcus du Sautoy

Marcus is the author of The Music of the Primes, the bestselling maths book, and The Creativity Code, and examination of AI in art and whether technology could replicate human art and music. On television he’s hosted The Code and programmes examining the history of maths, the wonder of symmetry, and the intersection between literature, art and music and the structures of mathematics.

Dr Will Duffin

Will has delivered medical care in some of the world’s most remote and dangerous environments, from the Himalayas to Siberia to the Pacific Islands, and in high-pressure, high-stakes situations including medical evacuations and natural disasters. With evocative, compelling stories, he explores decision-making, resilience, teamwork and personal leadership based on real-life experience.

Professor Bobby Duffy

Bobby Duffy is the former Global Director of the Ipsos Social Research Institute, working across 30 countries to carry out customised research to help governments and public sector clients make better, evidence-based decisions. He continues this work as the Director Policy Institute at King's College London. His books The Perils of Perception and Generations- Does when you’re born shape who you are? challenge misconceptions and examines the impact of fact vs perception in areas such as trust and relationships.

Giles Duley

Dissatisfied with fashion and celebrity photography, Giles Duley decided to focus on humanitarian issues, travelling to Sudan, Angola and Afghanistan to highlight the issues behind the conflicts. In 2011, while on patrol with the US Army, he stepped on an IED, losing both legs and an arm. His first impulse was to check his eyes and his right arm; with them he could still be a photographer and after months of rehab, he returned to work. Giles has since returned to Afghanistan and continues to document those affected by conflict around the world and their inspiring stories.

Ian Dunt

The journalist and broadcaster penned Brexit: What the Hell Happens Now? and started the Remainiacs podcast alongside other pro-Remain commentators. A former editor of Politics.co.uk, Ian writes for a variety of newspapers and regularly appears on TV and radio.

Clara Durodié

Clara is a highly regarded expert in AI governance, fintech, and digital transformation, with over twenty five years of experience in financial technology and finance.

Liz Earle

After starting her eponymous skincare brand, as well as writing over 35 books and being a regular on TV, Liz established Liz Earle Wellbeing, a business ranging from publishing to Fairtrade jewellery. She explores her business journey, the importance of values to a brand, as well as health and wellbeing at home and at work.

Dr Julia Ebner

As a leading voice in the fields of online radicalisation and threats to democracy, Dr Julia Ebner covers how extreme rhetoric is becoming more commonplace in the real world, and how this is enabled by technological and cultural developments - as well as covering what can be done to combat its spread.

Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards

Eddie 'the Eagle' Edwards won the hearts of the nation when he came in last place ski-jumping at the Olympics, representing Great Britain for the first time. With his go-getter spirit, he continues to inspire people and reminds them that success isn’t always in the winning but in the trying.

Jonathan Edwards

Considered the finest triple jumper of all time, Jonathan Edwards is one of only four athletes in history to have held European, Commonwealth, World and Olympic titles at the same time. He remains the world record holder. Jonathan describes the pressures of competition and the battle to live up to his and others’ expectations in the most important sporting contest on earth.

Andreas Ekström

Andreas has become one of Europe’s leading digital futurists. He tackles the intersection between building a successful business and striving towards a more equal digital society and considers a new, slower and more greyscale means of thinking and working to create a sustainable digital society.

Dr Amit Elazari

Amit is is the Co-Founder and CEO of OpenPolicy, and the former Director of Global Cybersecurity Policy at Intel. Her research covers AI, cybersecurity, hacking, and private ordering in intellectual property. She has been published in The New York Times, The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal.

Professor Martin Elliott

Former Co-Medical Director at The Great Ormond Street Hospital and one of the country’s leading paediatric surgeons, Martin considers his career in this most sensitive and high-pressure of worlds. From working with McLaren F1 to improve interaction between teams to developing stem-cell based transplants; from managing departments to taking the lead in the theatre, he has lessons that apply to any organisation seeking to improve what they do, innovate or understand culture, leadership and teamwork.

Matt Ellison

Matt uses his own experiences to inspire others. From insights into diversity and inclusion to thought-provoking ideas around resilience and how to make changes towards leading a happier and more fulfilling life.

Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones

In his own words Wilfred is a ‘poor boy, done good.’ Unqualified but persistent, he made his way into TV and brought Gordon Ramsay to the screen. He then ignored the conventions of his race and upbringing, bought a small West Country farm and launched his sausage company. He’s since expanded into fashion. Wilfred argues that businesses should challenge the status quo and embrace jeopardy. Victimhood is a dangerous trap, in individuals and in companies.

Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill

The ‘poster girl’ of London 2012 coped with the pressure of public expectations and led from the front, securing heptathlon gold in a magnificent 800m finale and provided one of the moments of the Games. One of Britain’s most popular athletes Jess retired from competition after the Rio Olympics in which she won silver.

Gavin Esler

Gavin presented Newsnight before moving to The Film Review, Dateline London and HARDtalk and was Chief North America Correspondent at the time of the Lewinsky hearings. He has also written about leadership in Lessons From The Top, and an analysis of English Nationalism in How Britain Ends.

Dr Mark Esposito

Mark is a top global thought leader in matters relating to The Fourth Industrial Revolution, the changes and opportunities that technology will bring to a variety of industries. He is Co-Founder and Chief Learning Officer at Nexus FrontierTech, an AI scale up firm, and was inducted in the radar of Thinkers50 as one of the thirty most prominent rising business thinkers in the world. Mark is a global expert of the World Economic Forum and advisor to national governments.

Josephine Fairley

Jo launched the world’s first organic chocolate in 91, in the midst of the last recession. (‘Green’ was chosen to represent the environment, and ‘Black’ the high quality cocoa beans.) It captured people’s imagination and earned a Fairtrade mark before it was acquired by Cadbury. Jo now has interests in a bakery, health centre and online beauty brand. Her advice to start-ups: try to harness the power of publicity, and be prepared to work harder than you ever thought possible.

Paloma Faith

The tri-lingual ex-magician’s assistant from Hackney is now better known for retro-pop and soul hits like Only Love Can Hurt Like This and New York. Aside from her vintage style jazz soul singing, The Guardian hail her as ‘an entertaining raconteuse and a wicked mimic.’ Paloma performs accoustically, or with 10-piece band.

Sir Mohamed (Mo) Farah

For many Mo is Britain’s greatest ever athlete having accumulated ten global titles which includes the ‘double double’ of gold medals over 5,000m and 10,000m at both the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games. 

Kelsey Farish

A media and copyright lawyer by trade, Kelsey combines this legal expertise with an understanding of how emerging technologies, including AI, are shifting the landscape. 

Rio Ferdinand

One of the most decorated players in the modern era, Rio’s career took in over 600 appearances for club and country, including over 300 games for a Manchester United team that won six Premier League titles and the Premier League and Champions’ League double. He has since become a popular pundit, he has interests in business and his own charitable foundation, and was lauded for his frank discussion of his experience of bereavement and mental health.

Rebecca Ferguson

Rebecca finished in second place on The X Factor and has since been a panellist on Loose Women. In recent years she has called for a crackdown on mistreatment in the music industry, and has initiated a cross-creative industry committee that meets regularly with the government and members of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport.

Tony Fernandes

Tony bought his airline business from the Malaysian government at its lowest ebb. Leasing was available, qualified staff were keen to work and within a year the company paid off its debts. He’s now focused on expansion throughout the South East Asia region. In speeches Tony shares insights into growing an Asian business, seizing opportunity in a flat economy, and creating an environment that allows innovation to flourish. He also reveals his role in Apprentice Asia.

Daryl Fielding

Daryl went from New Labour’s advertising communications in the 1997 election to devising the famous Dove ‘Campaign for Real Beauty’ – secretly enlisting the daughters of the all-male board. The campaign has become a case study of purpose branding. After leading global strategy for food brands with $9bn sales, she joined Vodafone with a mission to make the provider focus on people rather than product. In speeches Daryl covers everything from brand strategy to leadership and company culture, dealing with crises in the age of social media, and understanding customers.

Dr Eliza Filby

Eliza researches the history of generations, ageing and families exploring how people's beliefs and behaviours are changing and the implications of this for work, education, politics, society, and economics.

Julian Fisher

Working with people in political, military and official positions relating to national security, Julian has great insight is into what influences people and how to be persuasive. He draws parallels between his time in private and public intelligence sectors with people management in the workplace and considers areas including risk, security and geopolitical matters. After dinner, he introduces a lighter look at what it takes to work in intelligence including the importance of knowing how to be boring.

Dave Fishwick

When the van and minibus dealer decided he could do a better job than the local banks, the authorities told him it was impossible, even criminal. He pushed harder, set up Burnley Savings and Loans, and found himself starring in Channel 4’s Bank of Dave. There’s now a big queue of eager depositors and borrowers. In a real-life story of David and Goliath, with lessons for businesses big and small, he explains what made him take on seemingly insurmountable odds.

Sean Fitzpatrick

The former All Blacks captain led his team to success over the British Lions and a clean sweep in the inaugural Tri-Nations tournament. His proudest moment came when he led his team to victory in the first ever Rugby World Cup. Sean talks about benchmarking against the world’s best and encourages an attitude of continuous learning.

Cecilie Fjellhøy

Cecilie's experiences, as documented in the Netflix series The Tinder Swindler, has seen her become an international advocate for change and a role model of resilience and determination for fraud victims. Through her personal story she explores how technology has created a new type of crime, what regulators and businesses need to do to tackle it, and how education, empathy and knowledge are essential for us all to build a more trusting, safer online world.

Stephanie Flanders

The former US Treasury advisor, Newsnight reporter and BBC Economics Editor has cycled around Britain to get a close look at the economy. She assesses the quality of the economic recovery, the impact of central bank and government policy, and issues of growth and productivity.

Ben Fogle

Since he first appeared on our screens in Castaway, Ben has rowed an ocean with James Cracknell, lived in Scott’s hut and joined Prince William in Botswana. He has also driven in Peru with a tense Hugh Dennis. The self-styled Accidental Adventurer has one big ambition remaining – to swim the Atlantic.

Professor Kevin Fong

Kevin is both astrophysicist, medical specialist and a natural storyteller. After working with NASA he specialised in lessons from the effects of extremes on human physiology. He is also part of hospital Emergency Response and Major Incident Planning, an air ambulance Emergency Doctor, and worked as a National Clinical Advisor to NHS England during the Covid-19 pandemic. All of this provides a unique insight into how we all cope with risk, planning and making decisions under pressure, as well as teamwork. He’s the author of Extremes – probing the limits of the human...

Mike Forde

As Director of Football Operations at Chelsea FC, Mike had overall responsibility for everything from recruitment to performance. He has also worked with Team Sky, and NFL and NBA teams, including NBA champions the San Antonio Spurs. He draws parallels between the requirements of business and sport, and explains the importance of analysis and adapting performance in a sector where return on investment is crucial.

Rob & Paul Forkan

After tragically losing their parents in the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, Rob and Paul set up a charity to help those worst affected by the disaster. To raise money, they also started Gandys flip-flops which has grown into a successful fashion brand a pioneer for modern social entrepreneurialism and philanthropy.

Mark Foster

Mark won fifty one international freestyle and butterfly titles including six world titles and eleven European. He also set eight world records and competed at five Olympics before honing his punditry skills for the BBC, taking to the Strictly dancefloor and becoming the force behind FitSteps. As well as lessons in preparation and focus, he has more recently opened up about his sexuality and how his reluctance to be open about being gay with colleagues and coaches may have impacted on his professional performance and general wellbeing.

Jason Fox

Former Royal Marine Commando and SBS Sergeant, Jason Fox, or ‘Foxy’, has undertaken operations around the world including surveillance, hostage rescue, counter terrorism and counter narcotics missions. Now a broadcaster and instructor on Channel 4’s SAS: Who Dares Wins, he is also the bestselling author of Battle Scars: A Story of War and All That Follows in which he examines the unique teamwork, leadership and planning skills instilled by Special Forces training, but also the psychological and human cost of risking everything.

Deborah Frances-White

Having recounted her unconventional life on the comedy stage and becoming a skilled improv performer, Deborah has become the host and author of The Guilty Feminist. 

Vincent Franklin

Vince Franklin has two diverse, yet surprisingly well-matched careers. As an actor, he has played managers, spin doctors and sales speakers in Twenty Twelve, The Thick of It and The Office. As a communications expert he has helped multinational businesses understand the importance of clear communication with both staff and customers. With entertaining examples of the right and wrong way of doing this, Vince tells organisations how to deliver an attractive, engaging message as well as the power a personal story has to inspire trust and explain complex details.

Dr Peter Frankopan

Peter is Professor of Global History at Oxford University. He has been called 'the first great historian of the 21st century' by the Brazilian press; 'the history rock star du jour by The New Statesman, and 'a literary star’, by The Times. He works on the history of the Mediterranean, Russia, the Middle East, Persia, Central and Southern Asia, and on relations between Christianity and Islam.

Luke Franks

Luke has always been passionate about the metaverse, AI, crypto and NFT's. He launched his podcast Welcome to the Metaverse, attracting renowned experts as guests and owns a farm of NFT racing chickens, digital real estate and four pairs of valuable digital sneakers.

Professor Carl Benedikt Frey

Combining history and economics, Carl considers what history can teach us about where technology, employment and economics are headed and the impact these connected areas have from social and political movements to the nature of cities and homes. His groundbreaking work into the future of employment estimated almost 50% of modern day jobs could potentially be automated almost out of existence. He looks at the threats and opportunities new ways of working, new industries and new values present.

Allister Frost

Allister was Microsoft’s first ever Head of Digital Marketing and is an expert in leading business transformation in our digital age. While at Microsoft, he was responsible for global launch campaigns including Windows and Office. He specialises in demonstrating how a ‘Future Ready Mindset’ can help us realise our full lifetime potential and is a specialist in emerging and future online marketing techniques. In his entertaining talks, he shows how the key to long-term success lies in nurturing some surprisingly low-tech habits and reopening our minds to brilliant new po...

Nick Fry

Nick Fry is the Former CEO and co-owner of Mercedes AMG Petronas F1. He was responsible for building the teams that won several Drivers and Constructors Championships. As CEO at Brawn GP, he was instrumental in implementing a crisis management solution to a business on the edge of collapse and ensuring it could succeed in the toughest cauldron of world sport.

Professor Frank Furedi

The eminent sociologist explores our capacity to manage risk and change. He also considers how rumours are spread and how media, policy think tanks and online groups influence our perception of anything from cuts in public service to terrorist threats and health scares. Frank shows that whilst fear will not go away, confronting it endows you with a powerful clarity of purpose. In alternative presentations he explores what’s new about the generation gap, and what binds us all together.