The Leading Speakers Bureau

The World’s Greatest Football Referee

One of the most recognised celebrities on the planet. He has refereed at the highest level including the 2002 World Cup Final and the 1999 Champions League Final plus countless World Cup and international matches, as well as in Serie A in his native Italy. He is uniquely respected by the players, managers and fans where his calm authority and sense of fair play under great pressure made him the best in the world’s most popular sport.

“The best referee in the world” David Beckham

[expand title=”In detail”] Pierluigi was educated in Bologna, Italy, where he attained his Degree in Economics, and worked as a financial consultant. Best referee of the world voted by IFFHS, International Football Federation of History and Statistics 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002,2003 Named Commendatore dell’Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana , one of the highest honour in Italy, by Republic of Italy’s President mr.Ciampi on 7.1.2003 Doctorate “honoris causa” in Science at The University of Hull (UK), July 14th, 2004[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Pierluigi offers audiences a glimpse of how he has reached the top of his trade and his dedication to the role which has brought him fame and celebrity, as well as being a former Ambassador for the International Red Cross and FIFA Ambassador. He explains in meticulous detail how he became an official and what it takes to be the best and stay the best.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]His presentations are inspirational and filled with anecdotes and humour. Often under the spotlight of the world’s media Pierluigi is highly professional and well used to dealing with the pressures of a live audience.[/expand]
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Author and Results Orientated Consultant

Dr Denis Cauvier is a speaker, trainer and consultant, who has made a career out of helping his clients and audiences become financially successful. A former personal and corporate lender with two of North America’s largest banks and a financial consultant to his clients around the world, he has uncovered the traits shared by America’s wealthiest people. He also has over 20 years of experience in training and human resources

“Denis is widely recognized as North America’s top speaker on the topics of finding and keeping great staff.”

[expand title=”In detail”] Denis has been an active member of the National Speakers Association since 1989, and is one of the founding members of the Ottawa Chapter of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers. Denis is a certified Master Trainer in the Complete Sales Action System™ and its supplementary program Managing Complex Relationships.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]A brilliant speaker, Denis offers audiences tremendous insights into the world of successful wealth creation as well as talking in great detail about a range of human resources related issues. He offers sound, proven, practical advice along with examples from his highly successful career as one of North America’s most requested speakers.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Denis engages and entertains audiences with his well prepared presentations which he follows with a lively interactive Q&A session with audience members.[/expand]
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Former Formula One World Champion

Niki Lauda is probably known as one of the best Formula 1 racing drivers the sport has ever seen. This three-time World Champion survived one of the worst, fiery crashes ever seen in Formula 1 only to walk away from a near-certain 4th title in 1976. His triumphant second career in the mid-1980s with McLaren saw him as the elder statesman of F1 and the tutor of young “Professor” Alain Prost.

“To finish first, one must first finish.”

[expand title=”In detail”] After recapturing the F1 title in 1977 with Ferrari, Niki abruptly quit to join Bernie Ecclestone’s emergent Brabham-Alfa Romeo team. He won two races for Brabham before, once again, abruptly retiring in 1979 to devote all his efforts to his then-fledgling airline, Lauda Air. He could not resist the urge to make a comeback, and in 1982 he rejoined Formula 1, winning his third GP after returning and the 1984 title. Finally giving in to the years, he retired for good with 25 GP wins after the 1985 season. After retiring he returned to running his airline, Lauda Air. Ousted by boardroom politics after a sale to majority partner Austrian Airlines in 1999, he managed the Jaguar Formula One racing team 2001-2002. In late 2003, he started a new airline, Niki.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Drawing upon his experiences both as a world class racing driver and businessman, Niki entertains his audiences with his presentations in which he shows the importance of teamwork, motivation and success.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Niki Lauda is a sought after speaker at company conferences and seminars around the globe. His entertaining and motivational presentations make him a popular choice.[/expand]
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Former Ice Hockey Coach and Performance Trainer

Mark McGregor was team manager for the Canadian National ice hockey team, Team Canada. As team manager, he was responsible for recruiting Canadian players in Europe and developing the team. During an impressive career he has been an in-house trainer with various companies and organizations and a keynote speaker at many events world-wide. Since 1999, he has been ranked as one of the top speakers at the St. Gallen Business School, the St. Gallen Management Program and the St. Gallen Management Institute.

“Great leaders have enormous energy and the ability to energize others, set aggressive goals and reward progress.” Mark McGregor

[expand title=”In detail”] After playing ice hockey for many years through minor, junior and university ranks, Mark became an ice hockey coach in Germany and in the Swiss National A League. In Australia, he worked for the world’s largest management training group and in Canada, he was a trainer with Canada’s biggest leadership and customer service training institute. Twice, he was rated by the participating companies as the top ‘management trainer of the year’ out of thirty speakers across Canada.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Mark realised there are many parallels between the sports world and the business world, he draws upon these similarities to show audiences how they can achieve “peak performance” through better teamwork, communication and leadership.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Mark’s passionate presentations use some of the techniques he developed for coaching and are both a highly enjoyable learning experience as well as an effective motivational tool.[/expand]
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Former Wimbledon Star

John McEnroe first made Grand Slam headlines in 1977 while still in his teens by capturing the French Open mixed doubles title and reaching the singles semi-finals at Wimbledon. He achieved further prominence in 1978 when he won the NCAA singles title during an All-American freshman season at Stanford University.

He then turned professional and began asserting his mastery with three successive US Open Championships in 1979, 1980 and 1981. He ended Borg’s five-year reign at Wimbledon with a commanding victory in 1981 that landed him as the men’s top ranked player (and youngest to achieve it), a position he held for four years. He took another Wimbledon title in 1983. But John McEnroe’s most memorable year was 1984 with Wimbledon and US Open titles and the highest annual winning percentage in Open history.

[expand title=”In detail”] In addition to his singles achievements, John has dominated the field as a doubles player, earning four Wimbledon titles and three US Open titles. John was the world’s top-ranked doubles player, as well as the leading men’s singles player. His 1992 Wimbledon doubles victory with Michael Stich raised him to the top-ten pantheon of Grand Slam winners.

John McEnroe’s most notable tennis accomplishments, however, are in his Davis Cup history, a tournament in which John has represented the USA for many years. He led the US team to the title several times while establishing the record for the most US Davis Cup wins.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Currently, John McEnroe excels as a network television commentator for the CBS, NBC and USA Networks at the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open. He also competes in a select number of tournaments and several special events and has recently opened the John McEnroe Gallery in New York, featuring the works of some of his favourite artists. It seems fitting that the world’s greatest tennis artist is helping contemporary artists achieve prominence and fame.[/expand]
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Spanish Celebrity Chef

Adrià joined the kitchen staff of El Bulli in 1984. The restaurant’s manager, Juli Soler, urged Adrià to travel in order to acquire new and fresh culinary ideas. Adrià soon began touring some of France’s top kitchens, learning various techniques from many distinguished culinary masters. During the second half of the 1980’s, Adrià began performing culinary experiments which were based on the use of fresh materials and adapting classic Mediterranean preparations to give El Bulli’s cuisine new twists with creative flair.

“To have a future, you have to have a past”

Ferràn Adrià

[expand title=”In detail”] Adrià has branched out into books, recipe manuals for 10-minute cooking, TV programmes and an upmarket private catering division. He jets off to cook for Euro-ministers and royalty, and is reinvigorating the tired restaurants in some of Spain’s leading hotels.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Drawing upon his considerable business expertise and unparalleled success in Spain, Ferràn shows audiences exactly how his innovative ideas helped him to become so successful.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Ferràn Adrià is enormously charismatic and his presentations are energetic and creative and reveal his true genius.[/expand]
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Pioneer of “market-based” philanthropy

Jacqueline Novogratz founded and leads Acumen Fund, a nonprofit that takes a businesslike approach to improving the lives of the poor. She’s become a leading voice of the new philanthropy, which emphasizes sustainable bottom-up solutions over traditional top-down aid.

[expand title=”In detail”] One of the most innovative players shaping philanthropy today, Jacqueline Novogratz is redefining the way problems of poverty can be solved around the world. Drawing on her past experience in banking, microfinance and traditional philanthropy, Novogratz has become a leading proponent for financing entrepreneurs and enterprises that can bring affordable clean water, housing and healthcare to poor people so that they no longer have to depend on the disappointing results and lack of accountability seen in traditional charity and old-fashioned aid.

The Acumen Fund, which she founded in 2001, has an ambitious plan: to create a blueprint for alleviating poverty using market-oriented approaches. Indeed, Acumen has more in common with a venture capital fund than a typical nonprofit. Rather than handing out grants, Acumen invests in fledgling companies and organizations that bring critical — often life-altering — products and services to the world’s poor. It’s a fascinating model that’s shaken up philanthropy and investment communities alike. And their success can be traced back to Novogratz herself, who possesses that rarest combination of business savvy and cultural sensitivity. In addition to seeking out sound business models, she places great importance on identifying solutions from within communities rather than imposing them from the outside.

Prior to Acumen Fund, Jacqueline founded and directed The Philanthropy Workshop and The Next Generation Leadership program at the Rockefeller Foundation. She also founded Duterimbere, a microfinance institution in Rwanda. She began her career in international banking with Chase Manhattan Bank. She is currently on the advisory boards of Stanford Graduate School of Business and of Innovations Journal published by MIT Press. She is an Aspen Institute Henry Crown fellow and a Synergos Institute Senior Fellow. She is a frequent speaker at international conferences, including the World Economic Forum, the Clinton Global Initiative and the TED Conference.[/expand]
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Legendary Former International Pakistan Cricket Captain & Politician

Imran Khan was an inspirational all-rounder for Pakistan for over 20 years. He captained Pakistan in 48 Tests and 139 ODIs (both records for Pakistan). Since retiring, Khan has written opinion pieces on cricket for various British and Asian newspapers and also appears as a cricket commentator on Asian and British sports networks, including BBC Urdu and the Star TV network. He has provided analysis for every cricket World Cup since 1992, which includes providing match summaries for BBC during the 1999 World Cup.

Number 8 on the all-time list of the ESPN Legends of Cricket

[expand title=”In detail”] Imran Khan was educated at Aitchison College, the Cathedral School in Lahore, and the Royal Grammar School Worcester, England and studied Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Keble College, Oxford. Through worldwide fundraising, he helped establish the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Centre in 1996 and Mianwali’s Namal College in 2008. In 1996, he founded and became the chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (Movement for Justice). He achieved the all-rounder’s triple (securing 3000 runs and 300 wickets) in 75 Tests, the second fastest record. He ended his career with 88 Test matches, 126 innings and having scored 3807 runs. In 1992, he was given Pakistan’s civil award, the Hilal-i-Imtiaz.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Cricketer turned politician, known as the Lion of Lahore in his playing days, Imran Khan is a very keen observer who is one of cricket’s greatest all-rounders and the former captain of Pakistan’s World Cup winning team. He provides worldwide audiences with insights into his playing and political career and into the personal pressures of being an international sportsman and national icon.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Imran Khan is a very believable figure of authority who delivers eloquent and emotive presentations.[/expand]
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Motivational Speaker and Facilitator

Marc Hogan’s growing reputation as an expert in the fields of communication and sales has led him to become one of the most sought after speakers in the UK. An ex-sales and marketing professional with over 10 years experience, Marc’s S.A.L.E.S. and Inspirational Communication programmes have inspired audiences across the UK to improve their communication and influencing skills. They love his unique approach to personal and business achievement underpinned by his 7 Keys for Success.

“Persuade, empower & perform”

[expand title=”In detail”] Challenged by Jim Lawless of Taming Tigers fame to perform a one man comedy show at the Edinburgh Festival, Marc set out to conquer his fears and prove his 7 Keys. The result is his inspiring presentation Funny Business: “What comedy taught me about business and what business taught me about comedy”. Marc’s hilarious and thought-provoking journey with its set of practical tools will, quite simply, change the way your company does business.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Marc utilises cutting edge psychological techniques complemented by good old fashioned common sense, to leave audiences excited and energised about improving their communication skills back in the work place.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]His unique and dynamic style will leave your people motivated and energised with a set of skills they can instantly apply.[/expand]
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Global Futurist and authority on how technology is transforming business and society

Rohit Talwar is a global futurist and award winning professional speaker noted for his inspirational approach, provocative content and humour. Rohit leads Fast Future Research and has conducted in depth future studies on a range of topics. He was profiled by the Independent Newspaper as one of the top ten global future thinkers and is considered an authority on how technology is transforming business and society. Rohit also has a particular geographic interest in the emerging economies of Asia and Africa and a strategic focus on the challenges of embedding foresight in leading organisations

“A leading futurist with exceptional foresight”

[expand title=”In detail”]
Rohit launched a personal campaign to raise one million pounds for various good causes such as the Pakistan Earthquake Red Cross Appeal where he hosted a fund raising seminar and dinner, covered across Asia by the media. Rohit authored Designing Your Future – Key Trends, Challenges and Choices, edited Achieving Transformation and Renewal in Financial Services, and contributes regularly to books and journals on futures and strategic change.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Rohit draws upon his experience and highlights how critical changes and the development of new technologies really are to global businesses. Rohit is recognized worldwide as an innovative thinker.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Rohit’s presentations are a fascinating insight into the shape of the future. He has an ability to create an engaging debate, capturing his audience with incisive thought provoking ideas[/expand]
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