The Leading Speakers Bureau

Award-winning Author & Financial Journalist, Specializing in Healthcare, Investing, Sustainable Investing, & Business-Social Policy

For more than twenty years, Fran Hawthorne has been one of the few journalists at the nexus where social and government policy meet business – an interrelationship that is becoming ever-more important in these days of rising consumer awareness and government regulation. She has written the only book that looks in-depth at the modern U.S. Food and Drug Administration. No journalist has more experience covering the multi-trillion-dollar pension-asset management arena. She has been interviewed on numerous television and radio shows, including CNN and National Public Radio, and been filmed for documentaries.

Fran Hawthorne understands and communicates the incredible complexity of discovering new drugs and introducing them to market”

[expand title=”In detail”] Fran Hawthorne’s career includes being Senior Editor for Fortune magazine, running the Investor section, managing Fortune’s financial coverage. She was Senior Editor and senior writer at Institutional Investor magazine for fifteen years, Staff Editor at Business Week magazine for four years and News Editor of three award-winning newspapers in Silicon Valley. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa in English from the University of California, while running the daily student newspaper and reporting for United Press International and the San Francisco Examiner. Currently, in addition to her books and public speaking, she writes regularly for The New York Times, The Scientist, Institutional Investor, and many other publications.[/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]From years of covering finance, healthcare, consumer activism, and politics for some of the world’s leading magazines, Fran Hawthorne is able to bring a unique range of experience, analysis, and ability to synthesize these crucial areas. She is an experienced public speaker who provides a thought-provoking and lively analysis of topics such as the impact of health reform, and where pensions fit into the strategies to move troubled companies forward. She offers invaluable insights into how businesses can adapt to growing social and environmental pressures.[/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]With clarity and humour, Fran Hawthorne is a speaker with a powerful message who has the ability to talk to her audiences as though sitting down together. A natural speaker, astute and comfortable on stage, with semi-professional acting experience, she takes questions confidently and eloquently.[/expand]
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American Actor & Director

Kevin Spacey is an Academy Award winning American actor and director. He has recently made good use of his fame and celebrity by taking time to make public appearances in order to raise awareness of global poverty. Kevin Spacey has won Academy Awards for his performances in The Usual Suspects and American Beauty, which also garnered him a BAFTA Award. Additionally, he has been nominated for eight Golden Globe Awards. Kevin Spacey’s illustrious film credits include LA Confidential, Glengarry Glen Ross, The Negotiator, K-Pax, The Shipping News, Beyond the Sea, Shrink, The Men Who Stare at Goats, Horrible Bosses and Margin Call.

“One of America’s favourite actors”

[expand title=”In detail”] Undoubtedly one of America’s best loved actors Kevin Spacey has starred in many internationally renowned films but is most probably best known for his Oscar winning performance in the hugely successful American Beauty. After many years of acting, in 2003 he embarked upon a change in career and left Hollywood to become the artistic director of the Old Vic, one of the London’s oldest theatres. A lifelong artist, Spacey began his acting career in Jr. High School and High School drama classes. He later attended the Juilliard School of Drama and began his professional career on the New York stage, which eventually propelled his career into film.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Kevin talks about his path to success and the philosophy behind his brave change of direction. He inspires audiences with his well prepared presentations and invaluable advice on self-development.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]A highly motivating speaker Kevin Spacey demonstrates how you can make opportunity from change.[/expand]
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Former Chairman of Marks & Spencer

Stuart Rose is the former Chairman and Chief Executive of Marks & Spencer from 2004 until 2011. Since retiring from M&S, Sir Stuart has invested in online group The Hut and has taken an advisory role at private equity firm Bridgepoint. In June 2012, he joined the high street fashion chain Blue Inc. as Chairman. Sir Stuart has a track record for turning around struggling retailers and is credited with reviving the fortunes of fashion group Arcadia.

“My task… is to bring this business back to regain some of its former glory”

[expand title=”In detail”] He started his retail career at Marks & Spencer in 1972. He remained there for 17 years before joining the Burton Group taking senior roles at Debenhams, Evans and Dorothy Perkins becoming Chief Executive of the Multiples Division in 1994. In 1997 he joined Argos plc as Chief Executive to defend the takeover bid from GUS. He then became Chief Executive of Booker plc and during his two years the group was re-focused, re-financed and eventually merged with Iceland plc in May 2000. He joined Arcadia Group plc as chief executive in November 2000 and left in December 2002 following its acquisition by Philip Green/Taveta Investments. He was knighted in 2008 for his services to the retail industry.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]With a well earned and established reputation in Britain’s retail sector Stuart is ideally placed to offer audiences insights into the secrets of his ongoing success.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Confident and professional Stuart presents practical and easy to understand ideas based on his experiences.[/expand]
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Environmentalist and Best-Selling Author

In 1991, Erin Brockovich was a single mother with small children. She uncovered evidence that the Pacific Gas and Electric Company had been aware of the danger of a chemical it had allowed to leak into the groundwater around Henkley, California. In 1993 she put together over 600 plaintiffs and partnered with a powerhouse law firm to win the suit. Eventually the case lead to a $333 million judgement, one of the largest legal settlements in U.S. history, against the utility company.

“Inspiring!”-Julia Roberts – (Julia played the part of Erin in the self-titled Hollywood Blockbuster)

[expand title=”In detail”] Erin Brockovich grew up in Lawrence, Kansas, and completed one year at Kansas State University. She received an associate’s degree from a Texas business college. No longer a file clerk, Erin now serves as director of environmental research at Masry and Vititoe.[/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]Erin Brockovich delivers her irrepressible spirit and down-to-earth wisdom in a stunning trove of stories, lessons, and motivational strategies audiences can use to summon their inner strength and free the winning forces that lie within us all.[/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]Erin is a truly remarkable speaker and her presentations are highly entertaining, captivating, motivating and above all inspiring.[/expand]
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World’s Leading Hypnotist, Expert in the Power of the Human Mind

Paul McKenna is the UK’s best selling non-fiction author and the world’s leading hypnotist and an expert in the power of the human mind. He is regularly watched on television by hundreds of millions of people in 42 countries. In 2008, the Discovery Channel signed a £23 million deal with him to make a series of self-help programmes.

Paul has helped millions of people successfully quit smoking, lose weight, overcome insomnia, eliminate stress, and increase self-confidence

[expand title=”In detail”] Paul McKenna’s incredibly popular stage show plays at venues usually reserved for rock concerts. He broke all records by selling out at The Royal Albert Hall when he put on the largest show of stage hypnosis in the world. Paul is now credited with giving the hypnotic show a whole new image, combining the intrigue of the scientific with the glamour of the mysterious. In 1994 Paul won the award for Best London Show as well as the prestigious T.R.I.C. Award for Best TV Newcomer. His recent television series The Hypnotic World Of Paul McKenna proved a huge success for ITV with over twelve million viewers nationwide.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]As a hypnotist, Paul McKenna helps you to understand how to run your own brain. He helps to understand how to install positive new ‘software’ in the brain using simple and highly effective visualisation techniques. Paul, however, has put his powers to more use than just entertainment; he is now in great demand as a motivational speaker. He has worked with Olympic Gold Medallists, World Champion Sports people and top business achievers to help then succeed.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Paul always gets an audience feeling positive, optimistic and confident in their true potential to achieve more than they ever dreamed possible before. Paul’s training sessions have their own unique style, blending humour, fascinating insights and demonstrations in a way that captivates his audience.[/expand]
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Actor, Director, Producer & Entrepreneur

Robert Redford is an award-winning American actor, director, producer and entrepreneur. He is best known as one of Hollywood’s biggest superstars but has recently been involved in onsulting and speaking for a wide range of global organizations, including computer giant IBM.

“Stay loose and place creativity at the forefront when you do anything” Robert Redford

[expand title=”In detail”] Robert has starred in an array of award winning films and has received a huge number of awards. In December of 2005, he received honors at the Kennedy Center for his contributions to American culture through the performing arts. He founded The Sundance Institute in 1981 in order to help emerging and aspiring producers, directors, writers, and film composers attend highly competitive programs run by the Institute, to assist them in developing their craft. The Sundance Institute celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2006. The Institute also owns and runs the annual Sundance Film Festival.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]One of the most influential creative voices of our time Robert Redford encourages audiences to think creatively, take risks and champion new ideas. He draws upon his own experiences to demonstrate the power and importance of creative diversity.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]A highly professional and passionate speaker Robert is in great demand at events across the globe.[/expand]
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The Most Celebrated Photographer of our Time

Annie worked for Rolling Stone until 1983, and her intimate photographs of celebrities helped define the Rolling Stone lookAnnie Leibovitz is a unique photographer, the recipient of many honours, including being decorated a Commandeur in the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government in 2006. She has covered Richard Nixon’s resignation and Barack Obama’s campaign, along with a Rolling Stones Tour, John Lennon and Yoko Ono, Demi Moore, Whoopi Goldberg, The Blues Brothers, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Keith Haring, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Patti Smith, George W. Bush, William S. Burroughs, Kate Moss and Queen Elizabeth.

“Annie worked for Rolling Stone until 1983, and her intimate photographs of celebrities helped define the Rolling Stone look”

[expand title=”In detail”] When Annie Leibovitz returned to the US in 1970, she started her career as staff photographer, working for the recently launched Rolling Stone magazine. In 1973, publisher Jann Wenner named her chief photographer of Rolling Stone, a job she would hold for 10 years and going on to shoot for Vanity Fair and Vogue. She has created several influential advertising campaigns, including her award-winning work for American Express and the Gap, and has collaborated with many arts organizations. She was chosen as the official photographer of the Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia.[/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]Annie Leibovitz’s large and distinguished body of work encompasses some of the most well-known portraits of our time. She provides fascinating insights into how she catches her subjects at their most “real” and discusses portraiture, reportage, fashion photography, lighting, and digital cameras.[/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]America’s most renowned portrait photographer, Annie Leibovitz’s presentations are delivered expertly using images from her unqiue persepctive.[/expand]
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Leading Authority on the Use of Social Media in Organisations

Euan Semple gained unparalleled experience as Director of Knowledge Management at the BBC and subsequently with major organisations such as Nokia, the World Bank and NATO. Euan is one of the few senior managers in the world who has direct experience of how to make social media work internally. He is now independent advisor on social computing for business, and a well known writer, thinker and public speaker, breaking social media down into easy to understand terms.

“Euan has unique insights into how to make social media work for you & your organisation”

[expand title=”In detail”] One of the foremost independent advisors on the application of Social computing within the business world, Euan Semple has worked around the world in Singapore, Finland, the United States, Egypt and many, many more countries. Whilst at the BBC, Euan pioneered the use of weblogs, wikis and online forums to enable staff to work more collaboratively across the organisation. [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Euan’s focus on how social media affect businesses, how they run themselves, attract new staff and relate to increasingly connected and vocal customers will enable you to get ahead of the competition in this often bewildering game. He offers a host of practical tales about wide ranging situations that cover the following essential aspects of this challenging and risky subject. [/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]A master story teller and a one man digital upgrade solution for companies that really want to get their heads around all that is new in social computing, Euan’s unforgettable presentations are delivered with clarity and provide foresight about what’s going on in the networked world. He has an unstuffy approach with people and likes getting directly engaged.[/expand]
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Assistant Professor – Media Speaker at the Media Laboratory

Patty Maes is an Associate Professor at MIT’s Media Laboratory, where she founded and directs the Autonomous Agents Group. She currently holds the Sony Corporation Career Development Chair. Previously, she was a visiting Professor and a Research Scientist at the MIT Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. Pattie Maes received her Ph. D. in Computer Science at the University of Brussels.

Global Leader for Tomorrow” World Economic Forum 2000

[expand title=”In detail”] Patty is also particularly interested in building autonomous agents that interact with people. She is one of the project leaders for the ALIVE project (Artificial Life Interactive Video Environment). This project allows a user to interact in real-time with 3D animated autonomous characters.[/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]Patty offers audiences an global perspective of her ground breaking research aimed at businesses wishing to compete successfully in the 21st century economy.[/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]An affable and charismatic personality, the soft spoken Belgian is highly sought after by clients keen to hear her fact packed and innovative presentations.[/expand]
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Web 2.0 Strategist, New Media Expert, Co-author of ‘Throwing Sheep in the Boardroom’

Dr. Matthew Fraser is a recognized Web 2.0 strategist and new media expert who speaks insightfully about the impact of Facebook, Twitter, Google, YouTube on business, politics and society. He has long experience as a business journalist/author, academic and technology policy adviser. He was Editor-in-Chief of Canada’s national daily newspaper, National Post, and co-hosted a prime-time national television show, Inside Media, on Canada’s public all-news network, CBC Newsworld.

“A recognized Web 2.0 strategy new media industries expert”

[expand title=”In detail”] Matthew Fraser is professor at American University of Paris, a lecturer at the Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Paris and a former Senior Fellow at INSEAD. He completed graduate studies at the London School of Economics, Oxford University, Université de Paris I (Panthéon-Sorbonne) and Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Paris, where he earned a doctorate in political science. He is the author of several books, including ‘Weapons of Mass Distraction: Soft Power and American Empire’ (2005) and ‘Throwing Sheep in the Boardroom: How Online Social Networking Will Transform Your Life, Work and World’ (2008).[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Matthew Fraser offers compelling insights into how Web 2.0 social networks like Facebook and Twitter present both opportunities and challenges to business and government as the “millennial” generation enters the workforce. The implications of these powerful changes, extending far beyond marketing and political campaigning, are rapidly changing organizational dynamics in areas such as health care, human resources, knowledge management, and leadership models. Dr Fraser has written extensively and travels the globe speaking about these powerful trends and how they are reshaping the way we interact socially, behave in organizations, manage corporations, and organize the political systems that govern society.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Matthew Fraser’s presentations are both enlightening and inspiring in the clear message he conveys about how to make the most of the changing social and business trends.[/expand]
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