Diversity Speakers

The Rt Hon Jack Straw MP is Member of Parliament for Blackburn, having previously served in successive senior Cabinet positions in Labour governments from 1997 through to 2010

Jack Straw is one of the most experienced British and European politicians. During his long career including continuous Cabinet-level roles, he has taken a leading part in many momentous political decisions in both national and international politics.

He has a reputation for clear thinking and professional, pragmatic good sense.

After a prominent radical role in national student politics in the 1960s, he qualified and worked as a barrister, did three years as an advisor to two Cabinet Ministers (Barbara Castle, and Peter Shore), and was then on Granada TV’s flagship “WORLD IN ACTION” programme. He was a London borough councillor, and Deputy Leaders of the Inner London Education Authority.

He first entered Parliament as a Labour MP representing Blackburn in 1979. He had a number of Shadow Cabinet roles before becoming Home Secretary after the Labour Party’s 1997 election victory, and then Foreign Secretary in 2001 and Leader of the House of Commons and Lord Privy Seal in 2006. He served as Lord High Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice from 2007 until 2010.

Now again in Opposition, Jack Straw continues to play a leading role in national politics, on home and foreign policy, and not least in issues involving the UK’s Muslim population (his constituency Blackburn has a sizeable Muslim community). His deft personal style combines with his immense domestic and foreign policy insight (he was closely involved in key decisions before and after the intervention in Iraq) to make him a formidable and fascinating expert speaker.

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After three decades in Parliament and successive Cabinet positions, Jack Straw is one of the most experienced and insightful British and international political figures.

Jack Straw read law at Leeds University and in the 1960s became a national student leader known for radical positions, to the point of being described by the Foreign Office as a “troublemaker acting with malice aforethought” for his political activity involving Chile. After qualifying as a barrister he had various media roles and entered Parliament in 1979 as the MP for Blackburn. He was Shadow spokesman on Education, then Environment and Shadow Home Secretary before being appointed Home Secretary after the Labour Party won the 1997 general election.

His time as Home Secretary had its fair share of controversies (including new measures to increase police powers to deal with suspected terrorists) but also saw the European Convention in Human Rights incorporated into British law.

Appointed Foreign Secretary in 2001, he soon played a leading role in the dramatic and difficult foreign policy problems arising from the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York and then the interventions in Afghanistan and then Iraq. He publicly defended these decisions, although later in January 2010 he told the Iraq Inquiry in London that the 2003 decision to go to war “had haunted him”. In 2006 he was appointed Leader of the House of Commons and Lord Privy Seal with responsibility for parliamentary reform. He returned to the Opposition benches after Labour lost the 2010 general elections

Jack Straw has attracted publicity for some of his policy positions concerning Muslim issues, not least his call in 2006 for Muslim women not to wear the full veil: “I felt uncomfortable about talking to someone ‘face-to-face’ whom I could not see”. His close relations with his very diverse Blackburn constituency (including his position as honorary vice president of Blackburn Rovers football club) mean that he has given a lot of thought to sensitive community relations issues in a modern democracy. In 2009 on the BBC’s Question Time TV programme he was a member of the panel which included British National Party leader Nick Griffin.

Although often criticized for his firm approach to a number of civil liberties questions concerning suspected terrorists and then his high-profile role in supporting the Iraq intervention, Jack Straw remains a popular figure in the UK and Europe, not least for his wry sense of humour: as Home Secretary he joked that his large department was “full of civil servants working diligently on projects that might ruin my career”.

His disarmingly understated, professional style as well as his formidable intellect and practical experience in so many policy areas give him a unique profile, not only in the UK and European Union but also at the international level. Few active politicians today match his insight and breadth of senior policy knowledge. He has many striking personal anecdotes and thoughtful examples of what works in politics – and what does not.

After many years in high-level diplomacy Charles Crawford has a unique profile as an imaginative, dynamic and even provocative speaker who has addressed audiences large and small in English, Polish and Serbian

After an Honours degree in Jurisprudence from Oxford University he qualified as a Barrister before joining the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

From 1985-87 Charles served as Foreign Secretary Sir Geoffrey Howe’s official Speechwriter, contributing ideas/language for speeches by the Foreign Secretary (major set-piece speeches, Parliamentary debates and less formal after-dinner remarks)

His first job on joining the FCO in 1979 was to head the Indonesia Section, followed by his first posting, to communist post-Tito Yugoslavia. He returned to London in 1984 and after a year on the Aviation Desk was appointed FCO Speech-writer. He was posted to South Africa in 1987 as part of the Embassy team led by Ambassador Robin Renwick working to end apartheid.

Returning to London in 1991 he worked in the FCO Department dealing with the Soviet Union as communist rule collapsed. He then spent three years in Moscow as Political Counsellor and then served three times as HM Ambassador: in Sarajevo (1996-1998); in Belgrade (2001-2003) and most recently in Poland (2003-2007).

In 1987 he wrote the FCO’s first Guide to Speech-Writing, a dynamic text full of real-life examples on how to write speeches – and how to weed out lugubrious mistakes. Two decades later it remains a core part of the FCO’s speech-drafting training

He subsequently contributed to speeches by members of the Royal Family and successive Prime Ministers, as well as different Ministers and other senior personalities in public and commercial life

He left the FCO at the end of 2007 to start a new career as writer, consultant, mediator and trainer. In 2009 he joined the UK Conservative Party candidates list

In recent months Charles Crawford led training courses for senior EU and other officials and private clients aimed at improving their communication skills. He has written for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, the Independent, DIPLOMAT and Total Politics.

In 2009 his audiences included the Headmasters Conference and Conservative Friends of Poland, as well as private groups and academic gatherings

In 2010 he and other former British Ambassadors in partnership with ADR Group launched a new senior strategic dispute resolution panel, ADRg Ambassadors

Charles Crawford’s trenchant observations on public policy issues are now available to a growing readership on his blog




Such honesty has no place in modern government…it’s bloody dangerous!
Andrew Dodge (Samizdata)

The most telling critique of this delusional foreign policy comes in regular instalments in the form of a blog by the former British ambassador to Poland, Charles Crawford. It’s called www.charlescrawford.biz, and if you want to know just how much in despair many of our diplomats are, this is the place to look
Dominic Lawson (The Times, 2010)

In 2005 a humorous FCO email he wrote as Ambassador to Warsaw (a satirical speech by Prime Minister Tony Blair damning other countries’ selfishness on EU Budget issues) caused a stir when it was leaked to the Sunday Times

His FCO written work was praised at the highest levels in London, NATO and the EU for its uncompromising dynamic style:

“fabulously readable and interesting analysis, with practical application … just about the best scenesetter [No10 staff] have ever seen”

“acrobatic and eye-catching in his use of language”

As a speaker Charles Crawford draws on dramatic episodes from his diplomatic career to explain wider policy themes, paradoxes and trends. His presentations are interesting and thought-provoking, but above all memorable

He is strong on foreign and public policy issues such as:

o Communism (and Vampires)
o Dealing with extremists and war criminals
o Climate change and PPP (perverse precautionary principles)
o Amazon Space: how the Internet is changing the strategic policy context
o International negotiation (as explained by Shrek, the Joker and Clint Eastwood)
o UK/European Union relations: Too Big (not) to Fail

Stephan Shakespeare is widely known as the charismatic founder of YouGov, PoliticsHome, ConservativeHome and 18 Doughty Street, the world’s first political internet TV station. Born in post war Germany, Shakespeare saw politics at work from an early age through his father who was a Journalist and press officer.

His family relocated to the UK in 1962 where he continued his education graduating from Oxford. Shakespeare was founding Principal of Landmark West Preparatory School in Los Angeles and held several senior teaching positions in California before returning to Britain as a political commentator, including a stint as a pollster for the Conservative party and spokesman for Jeffrey archer. Education remains an area of particular interest to him; he writes regularly for the national press on education policy.

Stephan Shakespeare has an unrivalled ability to understand and predict political outcomes. In the general election of 1997, he was beaten for the Colchester seat by Lib Dem candidate Bob Russell.

Within a year of founding market research and polling company YouGov he scored a major coup by predicting 2001 election victory for Labour to an accuracy of 1%. Shakespeare’s reputation as a fearsome innovator and businessman equals his political ability. YouGov has aquired major investment and now operates in the USA.

The Guardian included him in their line up of UK 100 most influential media personalities in 2008, rating him as “the pollster with the uncanny ability of getting it right”.

In 2008 Shakespeare along with Freddie Sayers established PoliticsHome which became rapidly established as the definitive source for political research and news.

PoliticsHome has become one of the most visited sites for political professionals and commentators, as with YouGov the operation has extended its services to America, and its innovative methods have been applied to the commercial sector across the world.

Edwina Currie was born in Liverpool and graduated from Oxford and London Universities. She taught economics and economic history and was a tutor for the Open University. Birmingham City Councillor (1975-1986), Chairman of Central Birmingham Health Authority and served as MP for South Derbyshire from1983 – 1997.Edwina is a well known broadcaster and author. She writes regularly for the national press and many magazines related to Women, health and politics.

She has written several books, including “Life Lines” published in 1989, on her time as Health Minister. “What Women Want” on women’s roles and “Three Line Quips” witticisms from the House of Commons.

Her first novel “A Parliamentary Affair” went to Number 1 in the best-seller lists and has sold over 250,000 copies in English and been translated into German, Italian, Polish and Russian. Her second “A Woman’s Place” (1996) and third “She’s Leaving Home” (1997) set in her native Liverpool, were also best-sellers. The fourth novel “The Ambassador” a tongue-in-cheek look at the world in the near future. Her books are borrowed over 100,000 times a year from libraries. Her novel “Chasing Men” appeared in February 2000.

Edwina presents her own programme “Late Night Currie” for BBC Radio Five Live. She is also frequently heard on Radio 4 and Radio 2. On television she has presented “Sunday Supplement” for central TV and “Espresso” for Channel 5, “Menu from Heaven” for ITV in April/May 1998 and her BBC daytime TV series “What Now”.
From 1985-86 Edwina was PPS (aide) to Sir Keith Joseph at the Department of Education and science from 1986-88 she was a government minister at the DHSS (later the Department of Health) under Margaret Thatcher. She resigned after warning about food safety in eggs. John Major invited her to rejoin the government in 1992 but she declined. She lost her seat in the 1997 General Election.

A pro-European, in June 1994 she was a candidate for the European Parliament for Beds and Milton Keynes. The Conservatives won 18 out of 87 seats and she was not returned. 1995 – 1997 Edwina was Chairman of the Conservative Group for Europe and 1995 – 1999 was vice chairman of the all-party European Movement.
She has been the subject of several full-length documentary profiles including “The Other Half” (1984 John Pitman), Channel 4 “Dispatches” (1989 Michael Cockerell), “Vanessa’s Day with…..” (1997 Vanessa Feltz). She frequently appears on other radio and TV stations.

December 1988 Edwina Currie was runner-up to Mrs Thatcher in BBC Radio 4’s “Woman of the Year” poll; the following year she came sixth in the same poll (between Mother Theresa and Raisa Gorbachev). In 1990 Curry was chosen as “Campaigner of the Year” in The Spectator Parliamentarian of the Year Awards for her work on homosexual equality.

John Reid was born in Lanarkshire. The son of a postman and a factory worker he attended St. Patrick’s High School in Coatbridge and went on to read History at Stirling University, gaining a PhD.

Dr Reid has served at almost every level of the Labour Party, from branch to constituency. From 1979 to 1983 he was Research Officer for the Labour Party in Scotland subsequently becoming political adviser to the Labour Leader, Neil Kinnock from 1983 to 1985. He went on to become Scottish Organiser of Trade Unionists for Labour from 1986 to 1987. He was tipped for success from his first election to the Commons in 1987 and soon became a defence spokesman, where he spent seven years in opposition before joining the Ministry of Defence when Labour came to power in 1997.

He was largely responsible for the Strategic Defence Review, and was made minister for transport in 1998. He impressed PM Tony Blair with his robust performance and joined the cabinet as Scottish secretary after the establishment of the Scottish Parliament. Following Peter Mandelson’s second fall, he became Northern Ireland Secretary.

He moved from the province shortly after being forced to suspend devolution in October 2002. His trouble-shooting skills were turned instead to more purely political questions, as Tony Blair appointed him Labour Party Chairman and Minister without Portfolio.

In March 2003, he was given his fourth different Cabinet role, when he was appointed Leader of the House of Commons following Robin Cook’s resignation.

And less than three months later he became health secretary when Alan Milburn quit the government.
Reid has been a Lanarkshire MP for the past 18 years, representing Motherwell North and Hamilton North and Bellshill. Following the Boundary Commission’s decision to disband his previous seat, he was elected as MP for Airdrie and Shotts at the 2005 general election.

His 10-year ministerial career saw him undertake nine different ministerial jobs, his appointment as health secretary in June 2003 took him into his fourth cabinet job in less than a year.

1989-1990 Opposition Spokesman on Children
1990-199 Opposition Spokesman on Defence
1997-1998 Minister of Defence
1998-1999 Minister for Transport
1999-2001 Secretary of State for Scotland
2001-2002 Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
2002-2003 Party Chair and Minister without Portfolio
2003 Leader of the House of Commons
2003-2005 Secretary of State for Health
2005-2006 Secretary of State for Defence
2006-2007 Secretary of State for The Home Department (Home Secretary)

Baroness Helena Kennedy QC grew up in Glasgow, raised from a working-class background. She has dedicated her professional life to giving a voice to those with the least power by championing civil liberties and promoting human rights.

Elevated to the House of Lords in 1997 – she has argued with passion, wit and humanity for social justice and written and broadcasted on a range of issues, from medical negligence to women and childrens rights.

Beyond the House of Lords, Helena Kennedy is an acclaimed public speaker, regularly requested for lectures and after-dinner speaking.

As a member of the Doughty Street Chambers in London she has been involved in many prominent cases; including the Brighton Bombing, the Michael Bettany espionage trial, the Guildford Four appeal and the bombing of the Israeli embassy. She has acted for many battered women who have killed their husbands.

She was a British member of the International Bar Association Task Force on Terrorism. She currently chairs the inquiry for the Royal College of Pathologists and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health into infant death, following miscarriages of justice where mothers were wrongly convicted of infanticide.

She is a life peer participating in the House of Lords on issues of human rights, civil liberties, social justice and culture.

From 1992 to 1997, she was chair of the constitutional reform group Charter 88, persuading the Labour government to make devolution and human rights legislation central to thier manifesto. She is also on the board of the Independent newspaper and chair of the Human Genetics Commission, advising government on the ethical, social and legal issues related to genetic science.

An active and prominent promoter of education issues, Kennedy was commissioner on the Hamlyn National Commission on Education from 1991 to 1993. In 1997, her report Learning Works, for the Further Education Funding Council sparked great changes within education policy. Subsequently, The Helena Kennedy Foundation was established to help disadvantaged students into higher education.

In 1993, she became the first chancellor of Oxford Brookes University from 1993 to 2001 and is now president of the School of Oriental and African Studies at London University, the National Children’s Bureau and vice president of the Association of Women Barristers and the Haldane Society.

She is chair of The British Council and the Human Genetics Commission. A trustee of the Club of Three: a tri-lateral network of countries comprising UK, France, Germany, and the KPMG Foundation. A member of the Foreign Policy Centre advisory council, the International Centre for Prison Studies, World Bank Institute, the Independent News & Media board and the Académie Universelle des Cultures. She is a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and the City and Guilds of London Institute.

As a media personality, she has presented radio and television programmes including Heart of the Matter, Raw Deal and the award-winning Time, Gentlemen, Please for the BBC, and is a frequent guest on both radio and television, including Any Questions, Newsnight, Question Time and The Today Programme.

She made the film Mothers Behind Bars, which radically changed policy within women’s prisons. She created the highly political drama series Blind Justice, which lifted the lid on many of the legal scandals of the era.

Helena Kennedy’s new book Just Law: the changing face of justice and why it matters is now available – click here to review or purchase

Bjorn Lomborg is adjunct professor at the Copenhagen Business School. He is the organiser of the Copenhagen Consensus Center, which brings together some of the world’s top economists, including 5 Nobel laureates, to set priorities for the world.

Time magazine named Lomborg one of the world’s 100 most influential people in 2004. In 2008 he was named “one of the 50 people who could save the planet” by the UK Guardian; “one of the top 100 public intellectuals” by Foreign Policy and Prospect magazine; and “one of the world’s 75 most influential people of the 21st century” by Esquire.

Larry Hochman spent many years as Head of British Airways in New York and as Director of AIR MILES. Hochman is a globally recognised expert on the future trends of ethics, values, loyalty, service, people leadership and corporate team culture.

He is not just a theorist, but has turned his thoughts into tangible business triumphs internationally. At AIR MILES, Larry created what is widely recognised as one of the most progressive cultures and remarkable commercial successes, first as Director of Customer Service, then as Director of People and Culture.

Hochman currently consults and advises internationally recognised brands and service leading companies on building customer relationships to last a lifetime; global leadership in times of radical change; the war for talent and the future for HR; customer collaboration and building one corporate culture for success. His international experience and global focus have made him one of the top advisors to the world’s greatest multinational companies.

Alongside his numerous speaking engagements all over the world, Larry, who pioneered corporate mentoring work in the U.K. at Air Miles, is personal mentor to many senior executives and CEO’s.

• “BUILDING CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS to last a lifetime”,
• “GLOBAL LEADERSHIP in times of radical change”,
• “THE WAR FOR TALENT and THE FUTURE OF HR”,
• “CUSTOMER COLLABORATION – the only sustainable edge”,
• “BUILDING ONE CORPORATE CULTURE FOR SUCCESS”

Hochman is one of the most popular keynote speakers in the world and has now delivered nearly 500 speeches in 45 countries and has spoken on every continent.

Baroness Susan Greenfield CBE is a scientist, writer, broadcaster and member of the House of Lords. She is Professor of Pharmacology at Lincoln College, Oxford University and Director of the Royal Institution.

With a well earned reputation as one of the most influential women in the world, she is an outstanding keynote speaker on change and tomorrows’ people. She has deeply insightful perspectives on the effects of scientific and technological advancements on the human race as well as business management and leadership.

Susan Greenfield achieved a first class degree at St. Hilda’s College, Oxford and a DPhil in the University Department of Pharmacology.

She was included as one of the 50 most powerful women in Britain by The Guardian and she has also made a wide range of broadcasts on TV and Radio – particularly for the BBC’s Tomorrow’s World and Innovations. In addition she writes a column for The Independent as well as regularly contributes to a number of national newspapers including The Times and The Telegraph.

In 1995 she was elected to the Gresham Chair of Physic, which entails giving six public lectures a year in the City of London. She was general editor in 1996 for “The Human Mind Explained” (Cassell) and has recently authored The Human Brain: A Guided Tour which was published as paperback in 1998 (Phoenix Press) and which in both editions, reached the best seller list. In addition, she has written a fortnightly column for The Independent on Sunday on aspects of science, as well as a more occasional column on education for The Independent “The View From Here”. She also makes routine contributions to The Times, The Times Higher Education Supplement and The Telegraph.)

In January 1998 she was consultant and “agony aunt” on a six week series on the brain, “Brainpower” in The Sunday Times magazine. She has been profiled in most of the broadsheets and was included as one of the 50 most powerful women in Britain by the Guardian and ranked number 14 in the “50 Most Inspirational Women in the World” by Harpers and Queen. She received the Michael Faraday medal from the Royal Society for making the most significant contribution in 1998 to the public understanding of science, as well as receiving the “Woman of Distinction” 1998 award.

In her illuminating and lively presentations, Susan Greenfield illustrates how the massive growth of electronic media is fundamentally altering our brains and central nervous system and that while change is inevitable, companies must choose how to respond to that change.

Susan Greenfield shares invaluable advice on leadership and the human mind and is immensely popular with audiences around the world.

She is highly sought after for her ability to make science, technology, the human mind and other comprehensive subjects more accessible. She breaks the mould and changes audiences’ preconceptions by offering valuable information in a remarkably down to earth manner.

“One of the most inspirational women in the world.”Harpers & Queen

Pam Giddy is director of The Power Inquiry. The Power Inquiry was set up in 2004 to explore how political participation and involvement can be increased and deepened in Britain following all time low turn-outs at the polling booths and a seemingly increasing public distrust of politicians and the political system. Its work is based on the primary belief that a healthy democracy requires the active participation of its citizens. With a long history, and interest, in constitutional and democratic reform issues, Pam established the Power Inquiry in 2004. She was appointed to the Content Board of Ofcom in May 2003.

After graduating in 1989 with a degree in Law from LSE, Pam joined Charter88, the newly formed constitutional reform movement. It was there that she launched the Violations of Rights series of publications, which set out to show how the lack of specific rights had an impact on us all. She left to cut her journalistic teeth on Cosmopolitan magazine in 1993 as Careers and News editor and then at the BBC with Newsnight, looking after political coverage.

She produced a series of films for the BBC on social exclusion in Salford, Manchester for the BBC before becoming the first female director of Charter88 in 1999. She has been widely consulted by the Government on issues relating to youth and diversity and is currently working on launching a major inquiry into the state of democracy and participation.

Highly successful and popular speaker Wayne offers audiences insights into entrepreneurship, creativity, common sense and moving onto new challenges. Inspirational and hugely entertaining, Wayne’s energizing presence leaves audiences feeling inspired, motivated and empowered.

Wayne Hemingway’s career in fashion began in 1982 with a stall selling second hand clothes on Camden Market and peaked when his label Red or Dead was sold in a multi-million pound deal in 1999. Red or Dead became one of the strongest British brands of the 90s. Hemingway has since been involved in many award-winning redevelopments of urban environments in Gateshead, Manchester, Lothian, London and elsewhere.

Born in Morecambe in 1961 Hemingway grew up in Blackburn, the son of Billy Two Rivers, a Mohawk Indian wrestling champion. Hemingway is part punk, part pop star, part speak-it-like-it-is northerner. He relies heavily on gut instinct when looking at new projects and backs it up with a remarkable work ethic. The enormous success of Red or Dead came despite opposition from the fashion industry which sneered at the labels cheap, playful street style and didn’t like it when Hemingway grinned back.

After dominating the London fashion scene in the mid-1990s, Red or Dead was sold in 1999 and Hemingway began a new business, Hemingway Design. Operating under the strapline “We design things” the firm has created objects ranging from Pure’s “The Bug” radio, to carpets, to Sky’s set-top digibox. Hemingway prides himself on creating designs that “can add something to people’s lives–without hurting their wallets!”

Hemingway Design has also been successful as a creator of affordable low-cost housing. Wayne is a Geography and Town Planning graduate from University College London but had no experience of the construction industry. Working with house builder Wimpey in 2005 he created the Staithes South Bank, an 800-unit development In Gateshead, Tyne and Wear. This was the first in a series of award-winning building projects that includes The Birchin, an apartment block in Manchester built with affordability for the inhabitants ahead of profitability.

Hemingway insists that his main motivation is to change things and to leave a legacy. He has done just that first in the fashion world and now with development projects across Lancashire, the North and in London.

Hemingway’s extensive humour and no-nonsense style have impressed audiences in over 30 countries.
His mission is to deliver messages that inspire and improve the daily effectiveness of each and every member of the audience, making them more productive, creative, forward thinking and above all, able to get straight to the point!

The most original business ‘guru’ in the business

A phenomenon who has delighted audiences throughout Britain and abroad, Geoff Burch is an extraordinary speaker, whose unique and hilarious outlook on all manner of business topics has made him the most prolific of speakers in the market. He is the author of one of the most famous business books of all time, ‘Resistance is Useless’, the Art of Business Persuasion which has been published in over 65 countries following its outstanding success in the USA, and his latest book, ‘The Way of The Dog’. ‘Resistance is Useless’ has been referred to by McKinseys’s as a benchmark for business thinking.

His unconventional image and extensive humour have allowed him platforms on both the corporate and stand-up comedy stage. His credentials are impressive having worked extensively with the likes of BT, Barclays, Lloyds, the CBI, Consumers’ Association, Prudential, Phillips, ABTA, and numerous other companies to present, motivate, and train.

Geoff’s latest book ‘The Way of The Dog’ is published by Wiley; the book explores the phenomena of the most unstable staff being the key to inevitable success for the change embracing organisation. His hit 10 week BBC2 series in 2008, ‘All Over The Shop’, focused on retail businesses and how to improve by cutting costs and increasing sales and turnover. His humorous style and easily explained advice worked well and has created a cult following.

The son of a Viennese psychiatrist, Geoff Burch has a wealth of experience in illustrating the thinking required to make our customers love us! Geoff Burch is equally at ease speaking at a conference as he is after dinner. It is our belief that virtually every company could benefit from his entertaining style and compelling message.

Having gained a reputation as both a funny and persuasive speaker, he was constantly being asked to teach his skills to others. His style is relaxed and fun, his observations are unique, and his impact on an audience is amazing. You could fill a room with a cross-section of people from a part-time cleaner to a CEO of an international company, and everybody would come away with new ideas. Geoff Burch looks at every conceivable area of business, and is renowned for taking a sideways look at the latest business fads and fashions – translating the ones of value into a memorable message that everyone can understand.

Geoff Burch is meticulous in preparing his presentation, studying the profile of the audience, the market in which they work, the competition they face, and how to exploit the advantages they have. He then combines this specific information with his generic approach to any situation. His power to make any organisation believe in itself and to establish and maintain the motivation to succeed is central to his presentation.

Geoff Burch can speak amusingly on almost any business topic, and is capable of delivering presentations on subjects such as: ‘FAST’ Companies, Customer Relationships, Change, People Motivation, Sales, Working Together, Empowerment, and How Everyone can Deliver the Vision. All of these are presented in a hilarious, thought-provoking, and memorable way where even apparently the dullest business subject is turned into an exciting rollercoaster ride that leaves the audience thrilled.