The Leading Speakers Bureau

Director at Cambridge Energy Research Associates in Paris

Jean-Marie Chevalier is currently professor of Economics at the University of Paris-Dauphine, Director of the ‘Centre de Géopolitique de l’Energie et des Matières Premières’. He is also a Director at CERA. He has worked, as an economist for Elf Aquitaine and the energy department of the World Bank. For several years, he was a member of the board of directors of the Banque Nationale de Paris.

The world’s leading expert on current global energy trends
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Founder of easyJet

Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou is a Monaco based entrepreneur of Greek-Cypriot origin. He stepped back from the board of EasyJet in 2010, now concentrating fully on the role of shareholder. True to his beliefs in serial entrepreneurship, Stelios consolidated the ownership of the easy brand into his private company, easyGroup, comprising several easy-branded businesses – all dedicated to offering consumers more value for less.

“A Serial Entrepreneur”

[expand title=”In detail”] Prior to founding the low-cost airline that revolutionized European air travel, Stelios created Stelmar, a shipping company which was floated on the New York Stock Exchange in 2001 and subsequently sold to a rival in 2005. Stelios received a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II for services to entrepreneurship. More recently, through the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation, he has expanded his dedication to making a difference to society by launching a number of philanthropic initiatives supporting entrepreneurship, higher education and environmental sustainability. [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Few are better qualified to talk about the power of the internet and how to make a successful on line enterprise than Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou. Talking candidly about the easyJet phenomenon, his presentations are filled with wonderful insights and inspirational ideas for budding entrepreneurs.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Stelios is a compelling and dynamic speaker – both in front of large audiences as well as smaller, targeted groups. [/expand]
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First Woman to Summit Everest from North & South Sides and Leadership speaker

Cathy O Dowd is a winning explorer and raconteur. Not one to submit to adversity, she reached Everest’s peak from the south, despite facing the worst storm in the mountain’s history. She took on the challenge of the treacherous north side two years later, but her attempt ended when she stopped to try and save a dying climber. A year later she returned and succeeded in becoming the first woman to climb Everest from both the north and south sides.

The first woman to conquer both the north and south sides of Everest

[expand title=”In detail”] A former university lecturer with a Masters degree in Media Studies, she grew up in South Africa. Now based in Europe, she remains an active adventurer, from the heights of the Himalaya to the wilderness of the Arctic. In 2003 she attempted a new route up the notorious east face of Everest. [/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]Interweaving the literal climbing adventure and the symbolic challenge of peak performance, she evokes your sense of possibility. Spectacular images add to her poignant story, which will rouse you to approach challenges with renewed zeal and increased capabilities. Cathy’s great strength lies in combining her dramatic adventures with a coherent message to business. Her inspirational presentations entertain and motivate while reinforcing key principles of best business practise.[/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]Cathy is a fluent and passionate speaker, combining humour and drama, weaving a spell-binding story out of which she subtly draws her metaphors for achievement. All presentations are dramatically illustrated with photographs from the mountain. She is also part of our Top Women keynote speakers. [/expand]
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Cutting Edge Design Expert and Global Authority on Innovation, Sustainability

John Thackara is an internationally acclaimed authority on innovation in a green economy. For Business Week he is “one of the great voices on sustainability”, and the Wall Street Journal has noted his “global reputation as a cutting edge design expert”. The Economic Times of India lauded his “brilliant insights into the internet and sustainability”. John is the author of a widely-read blog at designobserver.com, and of twelve books including In The Bubble: Designing In A Complex World. As director of Doors of Perception, John also organises festivals around the world in which communities imagine a sustainable future — and take practical steps to realise it.

“Innovation starts with a meaningful question”
John Thackara

[expand title=”In detail”] John studied philosophy and trained as a journalist, before working for 10 years as a book and magazine editor. He was the first Director of the Netherlands Design Institute in Amsterdam and was program director of Designs of the Time (the social innovation biennial in England). He is a Fellow of The Young Foundation, the UK’s social enterprise incubator and sits on the advisory boards of the Pixelache Festival in Helsinki, the Pecha Kucha Foundation in Tokyo, and Design Impact in the USA. A Senior Fellow of the Royal College of Art, he is also a member of the UK Parliament’s Standing Commission on Design.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]John’s talks deliver tangible benefits: actionable insights into sustainability and resilience; a shared vision of ‘preferred states’; opportunities for innovation in your organisation; and the impetus to launch high impact projects. He uses inspiring stories to demonstrate how the sustainability challenge is an opportunity for immediate action. “I talk honestly about the severity of the economic and environmental challenges that confront us – but then I re-frame these challenges in such a way that people gain fresh insight into opportunities for innovation that they can exploit”.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Encounters with John Thackara can occur in a variety of formats adapted to suit your unique requirements – from a one hour keynote lecture to more interactive workshops, design clinics and Explorers Clubs.[/expand]
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Former Chief Investment Officer of Baring Asset Management

Michael Hughes is one of the City of London’s best-known economists and as the Chief Investment Officer of Baring Asset Management, he was responsible for the management of US $47 billion in funds. Michael uses his considerable knowledge of the global and European economic landscape to provide essential information and insights to enable decision makers to plan strategically and gain the all important competitive advantage.

“A highly respected Global Finance Expert”

[expand title=”In detail”] Michael Hughes joined Baring Asset Management in 1998, from Barclays Capital, where he was the Group Economic Advisor and the Chairman of Barclays Capital Pensions Ltd. Prior to that, he was a Managing Director and Global Head of Economics and Investment Strategy at BZW Securities Limited.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Michael has the skill and knowledge which allows his audience to delve into the extremely rich and varied vein of economics and business strategies. Business leaders benefit from his astute insights and analytical brilliance of the economic landscape.[/expand]
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International Business Consultant, Author & Lecturer

Dr Jonas Ridderstråle is at the forefront of the new generation of European-based business gurus. He cuts through the madness and hyperbole surrounding the global economy and his appeal is truly global. Jonas has attained tremendous media coverage throughout the world. The 2005 Thinkers 50, the bi-annual global ranking of management thinkers, ranked him (and his colleague Nordström) at number nine internationally and as the leading European business guru.

“Rebel with a cause”

Dr. Jonas Ridderstrale has been ranked among the top 50 most influential business thinkers

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Former Chairman and Chief Executive of GE

John Francis “Jack” Welch Jr.’s twenty years as CEO of General Electric created history. He is now recognized as one of the greatest business leaders. During his leadership the company’s market value increased an incredible $387 billion, with his innovations and ideas making him their most influential CEO. Jack retired from General Electric in 2001 and now serves as a consultant to a small group of Fortune 500 business CEOs.

“Manager of the Century”
– Fortune magazine (1999)

[expand title=”In detail”] After 10 years with GE Jack was elected the company’s youngest Vice President and was named Vice Chairman in 1979. He became the eighth Chairman and CEO in 1981. Upon publication in 2001 his autobiography lead the bestseller lists from The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Amazon.com, USA Today Non-Fiction and the Association of Independent Booksellers. In 2006 Jack Welch gave his name to Sacred Heart University’s College of Business.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Jack’s genius is his natural capacity to communicate with people and is acclaimed for his insights on how businesses and people can achieve excellence. His tremendous leadership and inspirational skills made him into one of the most successful business leaders of all time.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]In anecdotal detail and with self-effacing humour, Jack Welch delivers his message in interviews with a fire and pragmatism honed through his vast experience as the leader of the world’s biggest business. His down to earth, direct and powerful style make him highly sought after at events worldwide.[/expand]
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Leading Expert on Capital Markets

Patrick Young is a leading thinker on capital market structure. He specialises in understanding the impact of new technology and market process on financial markets. He is a unique independent analyst of the prospects for market structure ranging from exchanges through to lending institutions. He was the first person to analyse the prospects of exchange mergers and has accurately predicted the upcoming birth of Trans Atlantic exchanges, as well as growth in many new product areas including emissions and weather trading.

“A passionate innovator”

[expand title=”In detail”] He has consulted to many leading financial and governmental organisations throughout the world in relation to the development of global capital markets. He serves as a director of the Swiss Futures & Options Association and has presided over the SFOA’s blue riband “Crossfire” panel at their international Burgenstock meeting for the past 5 years. He is a regular guest on CNBC Europe and a media commentator in leading financial journals and digital media, including the FT, Wall Street Journal and Australian Financial Review, having broadcast on BBC, Bloomberg, CNN, ITV and Reuters as well as networks in all over the world.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]A passionate innovator, he has been in the vanguard of introducing new products such as Single Stock Futures and Sports / Entertainment exchanges as well as various commodities. He is currently working on a series of new market applications.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]He uses his considerable expertise to advise decision makers from the finance industry on future trends in an entertaining and informative way. His thought provoking speeches are presented with insight and humour. He has keynoted world-wide and is known for an ability to deliver key concepts clearly for financial professionals and non professionals alike.[/expand]

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One of Europe’s Most Acknowledged Futurist

Vito Di Bari is one of Europe’s most acknowledged futurists and the leading futurist in Italy. Mixing Italian strengths of creativity and design with strong scientific analysis, he explains future mega-trends and scenarios of our fast-pace changing world. He is the official Innovation Designer of Expo 2015 Milan’s Candidate City.

“Future is all we have, the rest it’s just spilt milk”

[expand title=”In detail”] Vito Di Bari has been Executive Director at UNESCO’s IMI and is Scientific Director of the International Research Laboratory LabNext, quoted as “Milan’s M.I.T.” by L’Espresso magazine and “the Milan’s think tank” by Wired magazine. He is professor of Design and Management of Innovation at the Polytechnic University of Milan and of Corporate Communication at the Bocconi University, where he also chairs the “Laboratory of Cross Media Communication”. He is a weekly columnist for the Italian newspaper Il Sole 24Ore and TV anchorman for Rai and Mediaset.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Exploring the future of technology applied to everyday life, Vito shows you how our lives will change and why. Connecting recent discoveries in media, nanotech and robotics, he explains how corporations and individuals will change their behaviours and attitudes.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]With a wit and provoking style, Vito hits directly to the hearts of each person. Effective, direct and out-of-the-box, his presentations are impressive.[/expand]
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World Authority on Corporate Stress

Carole Spiers is a charismatic, motivational speaker, popular BBC guest-broadcaster and best-selling author of industry’s bible Tolley’s ‘Managing Stress in the Workplace’. With 20 years as a top industry guru on stress management and organisational change, Carole’s energy and dynamism extends to providing professional comment to the media, print and countless radio interviews and is a weekly columnist for Gulf News. A successful international entrepreneur herself, she is well-equipped to inspire others with entrepreneurship in her popular empowerment keynotes.

“The value Carole added was immeasurable. Her presentation was intelligent, interactive and energetic” Leaders of Abu Dhabi, Family Business Forum

[expand title=”In detail”] Carole’s credibility is rooted in twenty years success as CEO of the UK’s No.1 consultancy on Stress Management & Employee Wellbeing. Her focus is on developing a healthy workplace culture through the successful management of stress and organisational change underpinned by a compelling philosophy reinforced by her own experience as an Expert Witness before the UK Courts. In the UK, Carole launched National Stress Awareness day on behalf of the International Stress Management Association of which she is a Vice President. She is also Past President of the London Chapter of the Professional Speakers Association.[/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]Carole is a high-energy speaker able to combine inspiration with insight. She has a unique ability for empowering people to change attitudes and mindsets that hold them back from unlocking their untapped potential. From the small lecture room to the major auditorium, audiences are left spellbound and wanting to bottle Carole’s energy and passion. She can carry a full-day event with confidence, either as speaker or conference chair.[/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]Carole’s inspirational style and range of topics are equally suitable for a curtain-raiser, closing speech or a major conference. With her vibrant personality and unique flair for establishing rapport with any audience, she handles sensitive issues with an empathy and understanding born of experience, encouraging that crucial two-way dialogue that brings about positive change in people’s lives.[/expand]
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