The Leading Speakers Bureau

Authority on Global Retail Design

Rodney Fitch founded his design consultancy, Fitch, now owned by WPP, in 1972. He exited the consultancy at the end of 2009 and now is a Professor at Retail Design at Tudelft University and works in higher education and as an independent advisor, consultant and non-executive to a broad portfolio of clients. He has a growing presence in the emerging BRIC markets, particularly in India where he is helping to develop the organised retail sector in India for both global and national brands.

“He is best known as the guru of visual merchandising”

[expand title=”In detail”] Rodney’s firm has led the global design industry for nearly four decades with clients and projects in Europe, the USA, Latin America, China and Asia ranging from architecture and interiors, live events, exhibitions, brand identity, industrial design and in particular retail design. Rodney is an active member of the global design community featuring in many juries, committees and conferences. He has been a trustee of the Victoria & Albert Museum and is now Chairman of V&A Enterprises. He was awarded a CBE in 1990 for his influence on the British design industry. [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Rodney Fitch’s work delivering ‘consumer experience’ in the retail environment is acknowledged the world over. Projects range across all the retail sectors; from food and fashion, to phones and financial services; from the planning of shopping malls to merchandising, from duty free to luxury.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]With a captivating style, humour and wisdom, Rodney’s keynote lectures are powerful and effective.[/expand]
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Tibetan Buddhist Monk, Spiritual Director

Geshe Tenzing Tamding is a Spiritual Director of Buddhist centers in Japan, USA, Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia, Australia, Bulgaria, and sixteen Buddhist centers in Spain. He has received intensive study of Tibetan grammar, literature, religious texts and memorization of basic debates in the monastery of Ganden Shartse, having spent a total of 27 years in a monastery. He has completed all the courses of the five major areas of knowledge such as Buddhist Perfection of Wisdom, Madhyamika, Metaphysics, Logic and Monastic Discipline with distinction, achieving the highest academic honor in the School Gelugpa.

[expand title=”In detail”] Geshe Tenzin has been the personal translator for His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama to the Chinese in teaching important spiritual and religious ceremonies. Having received the highest ranking as Geshe Lharampa and being the youngest Geshe Lharampa, SS Dalai Lama sent him to spread the authentic dharma to monastic institutions and Buddhist centers around the world. He has created a foundation called Chu Sup Tsang Foundation for the preservation of Tibetan culture, art and Buddhism. The main objective of the foundation is to recreate the main Gelugpa monastic universities. [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”] Geshe Tenzing Tamding offers an interesting perspective of the corporate world challenges and management, utilizing century tested principles of the Buddhist approach. He talks about the balance between the material and the spiritual world outside and in each person individually.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Geshe Tenzin conveys the Dharma in a clear and straightforward way. His lessons can be easily understood and applied by his audiences in everyday life.[/expand]
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Middle East & International Affairs Expert

Henrique Cymerman is a Portuguese journalist who works as a Middle East correspondent for Antena 3 and La Vanguardia. Henrique also acts as correspondent for the Portuguese channel SIC and has made several appearances for the BBC and television in Israel and Palestine.

“Peace between politicians is not enough”

[expand title=”In detail”] Born in Portugal, Henrique Cymerman graduated from the University of Tel Aviv in Psychology, an MA in the field of political science and sociology. Among the many interviews and testimonies of political and religious leaders, is what would be Yitzhak Rabin’s last interview, 24 hours before the president was assassinated. It has recently been published in a Hebrew version, among other major interviews: Hussein, King of Jordan, Yasser Arafat, the Palestinian President, Ahmed Qurei, Palestinian Prime Minister, Mahmoud Abbas, Palestinian President, Ahmed Yassin, the Hamas leader, Abdallah Shami, a leader of Islamic Jihad, Gaza, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, former U.S. Vice President Al Gore and former Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Henrique Cymerman has collected many of the voices of the Middle East. The voices of leaders who make the decisions, the fundamentalists, the collaborators and traitors who give or risk their lives for their own truth, the voices of experts on terrorism and international leaders who interpret this tragic reality and civil society who suffer the daily consequences of the confrontation between Arabs and Israelis. He offers a completely impartial viewpoint on the current and future situation in the Middle East.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Henrique Cymerman’s frank, honest and highly researched presentations are always well received. Henrique is known for his thorough preparation, his relaxed style and professional attitude.[/expand]
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BBC’s Security Correspondent

Frank Gardner OBE is the BBC’s fulltime security correspondent reporting for TV and radio on issues of both domestic and international security, notably on Al Qaeda related terrorism. He was awarded an OBE in June 2005 for services to journalism and released his first book ‘Blood and Sand’ in May 2006 which reached number three in the Sunday Times Bestseller List.

“His work always reflects the true complexities of the stories he reports.”
Vin Ray

[expand title=”In detail”] Frank’s fascination with the Middle East began as a teenager when he had a chance meeting with Wilfrid Thesiger (who extensively travelled and photographed the Middle East). A fluent Arabist with a degree in Arabic and Islamic studies from Exeter University; Frank spent nine years as an investment banker in New York, London and Bahrain before switching to journalism and becoming the BBC’s Middle East correspondent based in Cairo. He has reported extensively on the so-called ‘War on Terror’ in Guantanamo Bay, Yemen, Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere in the Middle East. In 2004 he survived being shot six times at close range by Al Qaeda terrorists in the Riyadh suburb, Saudi Arabia. After many months in hospital he returned to the BBC to resume his job.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Frank draws on his experiences as a security correspondent to offer audiences remarkable accounts of his time in the Middle East. Having witnessed some truly terrifying situations his determination to return to his full and active life makes his story both fascinating and inspirational.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Frank is a good communicator, knows how to handle situations spontaneously and comes across really well.[/expand]
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Former World and Olympic Pole Vault Champion

Sergey Bubka is best known as the world record holder in the pole vault. He held the title of World Champion for 16 years (1983 to 1999) as he won 6 consecutive gold medals. He is still the only athlete in any event to win at six world championships.After his sports career Sergey became a sport administrator, politician and businessmanand is currently the President of the Ukrainian National Olympic Committee, Senior Vice President of the IAAF, Member of IOC Executive Board and Chairman of the IOC Athlete’s Commission

“Sergey is widely regarded as a living legend of sport”

[expand title=”In detail”] In 1985 Sergey became the first vaulter in history to clear the “unattainable” 6 metres barrier, capturing the imagination of sport fans around the world.An overwhelming favourite at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, he came within one miss of finishing out of the medals completely. However he easily cleared the height – 5.90 metres – and won the long awaited Olympic gold medal with an Olympic record. In 1991, he became the first person to clear 20 feet, which to this day has not been achieved by anyone else. He eventually set world records 35 times, 18 times indoors and 17 times outdoors and earned the nickname of ‘the Tsar’.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]In his presentations Sergey describes in detail his meticulous approach to training and competition and the drive needed which made him both Olympic and World Champion and enabled him to achieve his World Record.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]An inspiring and motivating speaker, Sergey is highly sought-after by audiences around the world keen to hear his story and to benefit from his passion and drive.[/expand]
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Professor of International Management Development

Andrew Kakabadse is Professor of International Management Development at Cranfield University, School of Management. He is co-editor of the Journal of Management Development and Corporate Governance: The International Journal of Business in Society. He also sits on the editorial board of the Journal of Managerial Psychology and the Leadership and Organisation Development Journal. Andrew has been ranked in the 2011 Thinkers 50, the listing of the world’s top 50 business thinkers.

“Leading expert on improving the performance of top executives and top executive teams”

[expand title=”In detail”] Andrew held positions on the boards of a number of companies. He has also been adviser to a Channel 4 business series. He was also Vice Chancellor of the International Academy of Management and has been Chairman of the Division of Occupational Psychology, British Psychological Society, 2001. He has published 30 books, over 169 articles and 16 monographs, including the best-selling books ‘Essence of Leadership’, ‘Politics of Management’, ‘Working in Organisations’ and ‘The Wealth Creators’.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Andrew has consulted and lectured in the UK, Europe, the USA, SE Asia, China, Japan, Russia, Georgia, the Gulf States and Australia. He advises top executives and top executive teams how to improve excellence in consultancy practice, corporate governance and conflict resolution and international relations.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]The tools Andrew provides help top executives challenged by situations with no easy answers see through the complexities to make the best decision. He uses examples to deliver the fundamentals of success.[/expand]
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Leading Expert on Financial Markets, Politics, Economy

Todd Buchholz is the former director of economic policy at the White House, a managing director of the US $15 billion Tiger hedge fund and an award-winning economics teacher at Harvard. He has been a senior economic adviser to President Bush and is a frequent commentator on ABC News, PBS and CBS and recently hosted his own special on CNBC. Buchholz has debated such luminaries as Lester Thurow, Robert Reich and Nobel Laureate Joseph Stiglitz. He is the Co-Founder of Enso Capital. He was recently named by Successful Meetings Magazine as one of the “21Top Speakers for the 21st Century.”

“Lights up economics with a wickedly sparkling wit” Associated Press

[expand title=”In detail”] Before joining Tiger in 1996, Buchholz was President of the G7 Group, Inc., an international consulting firm, whose clientele included many of the top securities firms, investment banks and money managers in New York, London and Tokyo. Todd won the Allyn Young Teaching Prize at Harvard and holds advanced degrees in economics and law from Cambridge and Harvard. Buchholz is a prolific writer for various publications including Worth, where he writes the “Global Markets” column. He also holds several engineering and design patents, and is a co-producer of the Broadway smash Jersey Boys.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Todd targets his entertaining remarks to the cutting edge of economics, finance and business strategy, and shows audiences how to thrive in a chaotic economy, while gearing up for prosperity. [/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Described by The Wall Street Journal as “witty, iconoclastic and engaging”, Todd is a highly sought after professional speaker who delivers high octane presentations.[/expand]
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Business Renaissance Man

Nitin Nohria is the Richard P. Chapman Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School. Professor Nohria has served as an advisor and consultant to several large and small companies in different parts of the world. Prior to joining the Harvard Business School faculty in July 1988, Professor Nohria received his Ph.D. in Management from the Sloan School of Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and a B. Tech. in Chemical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay.

He does not believe in a quick-fix approach and prefers to concentrate on timeless aspects of effective managerial practice.

[expand title=”In detail”] In addition to teaching courses in Harvard’s MBA, Ph.D., Executive and Corporate Education programs, Professor Nohria is an advisor to doctoral students in the Organizational Behavior program. He also served as a visiting faculty member at the London Business School.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Professor Nohria’s approach is in tune with the needs of multi national companies and the realities of the problems they face in a changing world. His presentations focus on business and organizational change, evolutionary psychology and business leadership and ambition.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Gleaning essential information from his teachings at Harvard, Prof. Nohria’s presentations are packed full of useful actionable information presented in a clear and easy to understand format.[/expand]
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Breaking Boundaries Mastermind

Chris Moon founded Making the Best a personnel and security management company. While working for the specialist mine clearance charity HALO, he was blown up in a ‘cleared’ area. He lived to tell the tale despite losing his right arm and leg because of his peak fitness and first aid knowledge. His story is all the more amazing as before the accident he survived being abducted by the Khmer Rouge. He saved himself and two colleagues from execution. In September 2010 he again tests himself by running an incredible 36 miles a day for 30 days across the UK visiting Post Office branches, Post Office sites and Barnardo’s projects to raise money for the Barnardo’s Believe in Children appeal.

A master of self-motivation

[expand title=”In detail”] Within a year of leaving hospital, he completed the London Marathon, and in 1997, he was the first leg amputee to complete the 250km Great Sahara Run. In May 2000 he completed the 100km Kumamoto volcano run in Japan and in July 2000 was one of only 12 people in the world to do the Death Valley 300 miles, from the lowest point of the USA continuously on foot to the highest point and back again in just over six days. He did it again in 2001 to test false legs and is one of only a handful of people in the world to complete this double desert crossing twice. Chris’ charity work is legendary and he continues to inspire people with his marathon runs, and endurance tests, including a 700 mile cycle ride for charity in Cambodia.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]With infectious enthusiasm he illustrates the power of attitude. A master of mind over matter, he relates his extraordinary experiences to everyday issues. He shows you how to tap into your own strengths.

He takes audiences on an emotional journey, empowering them to choose a positive attitude, whatever the circumstance.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Compelling though his stories are, he makes them very real and he delivers them with high energy as well as wit.[/expand]
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Economics Editor of the Sunday Times

David Smith has been Economics Editor of The Sunday Times since 1989, where he writes a weekly column. He is also an assistant editor, policy adviser and chief leader-writer. He has won a number of awards, including the Harold Wincott award for Senior Financial Journalist of the Year (2004). David is a regular contributor to the CBI’s Business Voice and also writes a home economics column in the property section of The Sunday Times.

“Once again David Smith has demonstrated his talent for opening up the world of economics and finance to a general audience.” Gordon Brown

[expand title=”In detail”] Prior to joining The Sunday Times, he worked for The Times, Financial Weekly, Now! Magazine, the Henley Centre for Forecasting and Lloyds Bank. He was born and brought up in the West Midlands and studied at the Universities of Wales, Oxford and London. He is a visiting professor at Cardiff University.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]David offers audiences the benefit of his expertise and insights into the UK and current global economic outlook and also the bigger issues which affect financial markets. He demystifies complex economic issues and offers advice in a clear and easily understood format.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]David’s presentations are delivered in an articulate and relaxed manner, combined with his dry humour. David is an ideal speaker to address a wide range of audiences.[/expand]
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