The Leading Speakers Bureau

Economist, Author and Leading Expert on Economic Globalisation

Noreena Hertz is a bestselling author, academic and thinker whose economic predictions over the past 15 years have proven to be visionary. The Observer has named her “one of the world’s leading thinkers”. Vogue calls her “one of the world’s most inspiring women”, the Guardian has identified her as “one of the top British Public Intellectuals”. Noreena is Chair of Globalisation and Finance at Duisenberg School of Finance and is Associate Director of the Centre for International Business at the Judge Business School at the University of Cambridge.Business School.

‘Young Global Leader of Tomorrow’ – The World Economic Forum 2004

[expand title=”In detail”] Noreena received her M.B.A. from Wharton and her Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge, before beginning her career as an expert on Russian economics and working for the World Bank advising the Russian Government on its economic reforms. Noreena advises major multinational corporations, CEOs, NGOs and politicians, as well as start-up companies, and sits on various corporate and charitable boards. She played an influential role in the development of (RED), an innovative commercial model to raise money for people with AIDS in Africa, having inspired Bono (co-founder of the project) with her writings.[/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]Noreena Hertz successfully takes her argument against the actions of multinational corporations from behind the picket line and into high-level economic arenas, including the World Economic Forum. She offers not just an economic and political critique of globalisation, but real solutions for businesses and individuals as well as an outline as how your organisation can prepare for the main global trends. [/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]Noreena delivers highly respected, passionate messages to both grassroots organisations as well as worldwide corporations. She is a sought after broadcaster and commentator and regularly appears on flagship television programmes globally including on the BBC and CNN.[/expand]
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Principal at McKinsey Institute and Expert on Big Data

Dr. Michael Chui is a principal of the McKinsey Global Institute (MGI), McKinsey’s business and economics research arm, where he leads research on the impact of information technologies and innovation on business, the economy, and society. Michael has led McKinsey research in such areas as Big Data, Web 2.0 and collaboration technologies, and the Internet of Things.

[expand title=”In detail”] Michael is a frequent speaker at major global conferences, and his research has been cited in leading publications around the world. His PhD dissertation, entitled “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For: Web Searching as Query Refinement,” examined Web user search behaviors and the usability of Web search engines.

As a McKinsey consultant, Michael served clients in the high-tech, media, and telecom industries on strategy, innovation and product development, IT, sales and marketing, M&A, and organization.

Prior to joining McKinsey, Michael served as the first chief information officer of the city of Bloomington, Indiana, where he re-architected the enterprise architecture using open source technologies and led a project that resulted in Bloomington becoming the first community in the world to offer both live and archived video streaming of public meetings on the Web.

Before that, Michael was founder and executive director of HoosierNet, Inc., a nonprofit cooperative Internet service provider that offered dial-up and broadband access to the Internet to consumers, nonprofits, governments, and businesses.[/expand]
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Formula One Driver

Mark Webber is an Australian Formula One driver. He made his Formula One debut at his home race, the Australian Grand Prix in 2002. In 2007 he joined Red Bull where he remains up to now, alongside team-mate Sebastian Vettel. This is Mark’s seventh season with Red Bull Racing and his 12th season in Formula One, making him the second most experienced driver on the grid.

“To achieve a really big goal you need to prepare for it. Adjust your life. Apply yourself. Just go out and do it”

[expand title=”In detail”] After some racing success in Australia, Mark moved to the United Kingdom in 1995 to further his motorsport career. He began a partnership with fellow Australian Paul Stoddart, at that time owner of the European Racing Formula 3000 team, which eventually took them both into Formula One when Stoddart bought the Minardi team. Mark’s down to earth attitude was tested time and again through over 15 years of sheer hard work as he pushed himself to make it into F1. From Karting to Formula Ford, Formula 3, GT Championships and Formula 3000, Mark got his head down and got on with it.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Mark is a brilliant motivational speaker who draws the parallels from the exciting and glamorous world of F1 for the corporate world. He draws his insights and comments to frame any organisation brief and business messages more thoroughly. [/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]With a relaxed, anecdotal and humorous style, Mark gives businesses and organisations a rare insight into what it takes to build winning teams and compete for success at world level. [/expand]
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Award Winning Comedian, Writer, Presenter, Actor & Satirist

Marcus Brigstocke is a major comedy, writing and acting talent, performing in the UK and beyond. He has become a regular voice on BBC Radio and boasts an impressive list of TV and film credits. Radio 4 has become his second home as he is rarely off the 18.30h slot in one form or another. The Edinburgh festival is also his regular haunt, and has seen him receive a great deal of critical acclaim.

He is an accomplished stand-up with the ability and experience to play to any situation.” Chortle

[expand title=”In detail”] He began his comedy career at Bristol University where he performed stand up and character shows and soon won the BBC New Comedian of 1996. He has performed a multitude of shows at The Edinburgh Festival including The Award Winning Show in 2002 and Planet Corduroy in 2004. 2005 saw the start of The Late Edition – Marcus’s excellent topical talk-show on BBC 4. Recent TV appearances also include Live from the Apollo, Have I Got News For You, King Stupid for CBBC and a valiant attempt at raising laughs on What’s the Problem with Anne Robinson (with varied success). On the big screen, he has appeared in the movies Love Actually, Beyond The Sea and Piccadilly Jim. As well as his live work, he fronts BBC Four’s Late Edition, starred in the short-lived BBC1 sitcom The Savages and is a regular on Radio 4’s Now Show.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]A hugely likeable talent who has won countless awards, Marcus entertains audiences with his authoritative cynicism, educated tones and hilarious anecdotes. His razor sharp wit is edgy and unique and often finished with a serious point. He always remembers that funny comes first; and never fails to leave a room satisfied for those that want their comedy to pack a punch and those that enjoy middle-class ways.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]A truly versatile and incredibly funny presenter, Marcus is in huge demand at conferences across the globe. An effortlessly funny individual, he is a slick and superb stand-up.[/expand]
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Business Editor of ITV News

Laura Kuenssberg is a Business Editor who leads all business coverage for ITV News, providing analysis of the latest business stories, both in the UK and internationally. Formerly Chief Political Correspondent for the BBC, Laura won acclaim for her coverage of the 2010 General Election and the formation of the Coalition government. Other major stories Laura has covered include Barack Obama’s Presidential campaign, the build-up to the Iraq war and the accession of the Eastern European countries into the EU from Prague, Warsaw and Berlin.

“A leading business journalist”

[expand title=”In detail”] After a brief spell reporting from Newcastle, Laura joined The Daily Politics Show in 2003. She advanced to become the Chief Political Correspondent for the BBC. During her time at the BBC, she also reported for BBC News, Newsnight, the Today programme, and BBC Breakfast. She is one of the most high profile UK journalists on Twitter, using the social networking service to deliver breaking news. Laura has more than 60,000 followers.[/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]Laura Kuenssberg is a respected commentator on the world’s current affairs and is revered for her penetrating insights of current global economic trends and policies.[/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]Laura provides organisations with the latest business and economic insights. She takes her audiences to the frontline of commerce and industry against the background of the coalition government in the UK and the Euros zone crisis. Her training as a journalist and broadcaster make her well equipped to host and facilitates a wide range of events in all sectors of industry from panel debates to interviewing management and stakeholders on-stage.[/expand]
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Formula One Champion, Second Generation Grand Prix Legend

Jacques Villeneuve is a Canadian automobile racing driver, a former F1 pilot who currently competes in the V8 Supercar series. From the Formula One World Championship in 1997 and IndyCar Driver’s title, to winning the Indianapolis 500, Jacques is one of the most trophied and versatile figures in motorsport today. These achievements make him only the third driver to achieve such a feat.

“Jacques’ racing career has seen him achieve some of motorsport’s most coveted and prestigious accolades”

[expand title=”In detail”] Despite losing his father Gilles, who was tragically killed in 1982 at the wheel of his Formula One Ferrari, Jacques’ was determined to pursue a professional racing career in motorsport. Since 2007, Jacques has competed in NASCAR, Le Mans Series, Speedcar, TRV6, notably finished as runner-up in the 2008 Le Mans 24-Hour Race. In addition to his NASCAR commitments, 2010 saw him compete in the inaugural Gold Coast 600 V8 Supercar event in Australia, and the Andros Trophy in Europe.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Drawing upon his successful career as an acclaimed racing driver Jacques offers audiences great insights into the strengths and challenges of an F1 driver. Using parallels from his time spent on and off the track working with prestigious teams, he offers invaluable lessons in teamwork and leadership, to empower individuals achieve their goals.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]His unlimited motivation combined with a captivating leadership charisma and relentless commitment to success will doubtlessly inspire any audience.[/expand]
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Professor of Strategy & Entrepreneurship

Atul Nerkar is a Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship, and Associate Dean of the Executive MBA Evening and Weekend Programs. His current research examines the drivers of R&D success in the pharmaceutical, chemical and optical disc industries. In particular, he focuses on firms’ patent portfolios and the evolutionary process underlying their development.

“A truly dynamic strategist”

[expand title=”In detail”] Dr. Nerkar previously served on the faculty of Columbia University’s Graduate School of Business and as a visiting professor at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School. He worked with the Unilever Group of Companies in India before he studied at Wharton. He received his PhD in strategic management from Wharton, where he also received an MA in managerial science and applied economics. He has a bachelor of production engineering from the University of Bombay and an MBA from the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Atul Nerkar offers audiences insights into how technology, innovation and entrepreneurship affect business and corporate strategy and speaks about productivity in organisations and the evolution of technological capabilities in the context of the pharmaceutical, chemical and optical disc industries.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]His clear and thought provoking presentations make Dr Nerkar a highly sought after speaker at national and international conferences.[/expand]
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German Expedition Leader & Polar Explorer

Arved Fuchs is a high profile Polar explorer who has led a number of expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctic regions. In 1989, together with the famous mountain climber Reinhold Messner he became the first to reach the South Pole without animal or motorized help, just on skis using kites. He is the first and – to date – only person to have reached both poles on foot within a single year. He set up ICE CLIMATE EDUCATION (I.C.E.), to focus on educating the next generation of scientists and on the related transfer of knowledge from polar research to schools and the general public

“Arved stands for an increasing awareness of climate & environmental issues”

[expand title=”In detail”] Arved Fuchs has been fascinated by polar exploration since his early childhood. After leaving school, he trained with the Merchant Navy. He studied Vessels Operational Technology at the Technical College in Flensburg. He gained experience of traditional ships by sailing with the Clipper, Aphritite, Albatros and Thor Heyerdahl. He evetually bought and renovated the old shark cutter DAGMAR AAEN in 1988 with which he succeeded in being the first and, again, the only person to date to sail completely around the North Pole on the notorious north-west and north-east passages. He also made a successful and authentic reconstruction of one of the most memorable events in the history of seafaring, Shackelton’s odyssey through the south polar Atlantic.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Arved Fuchs is not just an extreme adventurer and polar researcher, but also above all a fascinating personality and an astoundingly normal person. In his powerful keynotes, he describes the sobering truth of the climate and environmental issues, documented by maps of the ice, with vivid images showing the decrease in surface area of the North Pole ice. He has become internationally famous via numerous television documentaries and photographic reports.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Arved Fuchs is an enthusiastic speaker who is capable of motivating and inspiring an audience to greater things. He breaks down barriers and encourages us to achieve the impossible with his stories of overcoming incredible hardship.[/expand]
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Economist & Deputy Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research

Prof. Dr. Ottmar Edenhofer is professor of the Economics of Climate Change at the Technical University Berlin and Co-Chair of the Working Group III of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change IPCC which won the Nobel Peace Price in 2007. He is deputy-director and chief economist at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) and is currently leading Research Domain III – Sustainable Solutions at PIK, which focuses on the research on the Economics of Atmospheric Stabilisation.

“Ottmar Edenhofer regularly features in international media”

[expand title=”In detail”] Ottmar Edenhofer has a degree in economics (Honours degree) and in philosophy (summa cum laude) from the Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich. He currently writes in the German national newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. He was a lead author for the Fourth Assessment Report of the IPCC from 2004 until 2007. His research interests are the Economics of Atmospheric Stabilization, Social Cost-Benefit Analysis, Sustainability Theory, Economic Growth Theory, Environmental Economics, Welfare Theory and General Intertemporal Equilibrium Theory. Until 2009 he was key climate change advisor to federal foreign minister and deputy-chancellor, Frank-Walter Steinmeier.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Ottmar Edenhofer explores the impact of induced technological change on mitigation costs and mitigation strategies. The design of instruments for climate and energy policy is another focus. In addition to his teaching and research, he is actively involved in public policy and in the public debate in Germany and at EU level and his input is much sought-after at prestigious events worldwide.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Ottmar Edenhofer is a highly experienced orator and his presentations are rich in content and expertly delivered.[/expand]
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Political Theorist, Author

Benjamin Barber is an internationally-renowned political theorist, consulting regularly with political and civic leaders in the U.S. (President Clinton, Howard Dean) and around the world. He is the current President and founder of the Interdependence Movement and the NGO “CivWorld”. His current work focuses on global democratic governance and the relationship between the arts and democracy. In 2012, he became a Senior Research Scholar at the Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society at the CUNY Graduate Center

“Autonomy is not condition of democracy; democracy is the condition of autonomy”

[expand title=”In detail”] From 2007 – 2012, he has been a Distinguished Senior Fellow at Demos. In addition to his international work Dr. Barber is a professor of Political Science Emeritus at Rutgers University and a former Kekst Professor of Civil Society at the University of Maryland. He is a frequent commentator in the news/media. As a political theorist, he argues for a renewed focus on civil society and engaged citizenship as tools for building effective democracy, particularly in the post-Cold War world. [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Dr. Barber is the ideal authority to address the issues of global citizenship. He brings an abiding concern for democracy and citizenship to issues of politics, culture and education. He writes and speaks on a wide variety of questions connected to democracy and citizenship, including the arts, education, globalization, terrorism, and the new politics of the Middle East and North Africa.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Drawing on anecdotes from his own experience as a widely travelled, progressively educated fellow, he enthrals audiences with his entertaining presentations which showcase his impressive political insight.[/expand]
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