The Leading Speakers Bureau

Former Prime Minister of France (2005 – 2007)

Dominique de Villepin is best known for leading the charge against US policy in the run-up to the invasion of Iraq. In 2010, he announced that he would form a new center-right political movement, named République solidaire and he is considered as potential candidate for President of France in 2012.

“A champion of peace and justice in the world, Dominique de Villepin was the voice of France and the international community during the Iraq crisis”

[expand title=”In detail”] Dominique de Villepin holds degrees in Civil law and French literature from the universities of Paris II Panthéon-Assas and Paris X Nanterre. Throughout his career as a diplomat, Minister of Foreign Affairs, from 2002 to 2004, Minister of the Interior from 2004 to 2005, then Prime Minister, he worked to formulate strategies and find solutions to deal with problems and conflicts. From the violence in the suburbs of French cities, which he brought under control by invoking a state of emergency at the end of 2005, to the regional conflicts of Africa and the Middle East. In France, he led the “battle for jobs” that produced a historic reduction of the unemployment rate by nearly 20 percent. During the 2004 crisis in Haiti, Villepin once again showed himself to be a resolute decision-maker. He has also written poetry, a book about poetry, and several historical and political essays, along with a study of Napoleon Bonaparte.
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[expand title=”What he offers you”]One of the foremost advocates of a new global governance based on multilateralism, and a reformist leader in French, European and global policy, Dominique de Villepin discusses the challenges of our time: terrorism, proliferation, immigration, and the environment. He points the way to an international response based on a new state and global governance. He also emphasises the importance of respecting identity and culture in founding a new international order. This in turn requires dialogue, justice and equal opportunity. It is an approach valid, not only for states, but also for businesses and international organisations.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Praised by Mr Chirac for his quickness of thought, Dominique de Villepin is a formidable speaker with sharp intellect and an urbane charm and wit, in great demand at prestigious events worldwide.[/expand]

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Director of the Maurice R Greenberg Center, Journalist and Author

Sebastian Mallaby is director of the Maurice R Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies and the Paul A Volcker senior fellow for International Economics at the Council on Foreign Relations. Sebastian is also Contributing Editor for the Financial Times, for which he writes a monthly column on international finance. An experienced journalist and an acclaimed author, Sebastian joined CFR from the Washington Post, where he served as an op-ed columnist and editorial board member.

“The future of finance lies in the history of hedge funds”

[expand title=”In detail”] Sebastian spent thirteen years on The Economist magazine, covering international finance in London and serving as the bureau chief in southern Africa, Japan, and Washington, where he wrote the magazine’s weekly Lexington column on American politics and foreign policy. He spent eight years on the editorial board of The Washington Post, focusing on globalisation and political economy. He has also contributed to numerous other publications, including Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, The Atlantic Monthly, Prospect (UK), the New York Times, and the Wall Street Journal. Sebastian was educated at Oxford, graduating with a First Class degree in modern history. [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Sebastian examines how the interplay of economics and politics is shaping international relations. His interests cover a wide variety of domestic US and international issues, including globalisation, the implications of the rise of newly emerging powers, trade and investment trends and economic policy. Since the publication of his prize-winning bestseller, ‘More Money Than God: Hedge Funds and the Making of a New Elite’, Sebastian’s speaking has focused on the role of hedge funds in institutional portfolios and on their potential to stabilize the global financial system.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Sebastian speaks fluently and without notes, often walking around the stage to draw in his audience. His engaging style, coupled with an incisive understanding of global issues, has contributed to his high popularity and reputation.[/expand]

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CEO and Founder of the Digital Workplace Group

Paul Miller is CEO and Founder of the Digital Workplace Group, described by Oracle as “phenomenon in its industry”. He provides visionary yet practical insights into the digital future of work for many leading organisations such as Barclays, Unilever and Ikea and has been at the heart of the work and technology revolution for the last 20 years. He is the author of the best-selling book ‘The Digital Workplace: How Technology is Liberating Work’. He has also been featured in the Wall Street Journal and given keynote talks at Microsoft, Google, Adobe and Oxford University on the digital future of work.

“Paul Miller combines his considerable writing skills and vast experience in technology and communications to shape and share a vision of the future in “The Digital Workplace”
Fujitsu

[expand title=”In detail”] Paul Miller eloquently describes how the 21st century workplace is being transformed by the digitisation of our work. Collaboration, mobile and real time communication is making it easier for employees to work whenever and wherever. He explains how businesses that embrace the digital workplace are realizing increased employee productivity and a greater ability to attract a new younger demographic and top talent. [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]His powerful visions and examples from a host of household name companies stimulates intense discussion among leaders and teams on the future shape of work, collaboration and the role of the physical workplaces in a digital world. He makes the digital world of work come to life in a refreshing, inspiring and challenging style. [/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Building on compelling stories from well-known organisations, Paul explains in a powerful and inspiring narrative how every aspect of work is being transformed. He has the ability to make complex issues easy to absorb and has a unique style of interaction provoking lots of conversations among his audience.[/expand]

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Former CEO of Eni S.p.A. & International Businessman

Paolo Scaroni was Chief Executive Officer of one of the world’s leading energy companies, Eni, from 2005 until May 2014. He is currently a Non-Executive Director of Assicurazioni Generali, Non-Executive Deputy Chairman of London Stock Exchange Group, Non-Executive Director of Veolia Environment. He is also on the Board of Overseers of the Columbia Business School and the Fondazione Teatro alla Scala.

“A charismatic & respected business leader”

[expand title=”In detail”] After graduating in economics at the Bocconi University in Milan in 1969, he worked for three years at Chevron, before obtaining an MBA from Columbia University, New York, and continuing his career at McKinsey. In 1973, he joined Saint Gobain, where he held a series of management positions in Italy and abroad, until his appointment as head of the Glass Division in Paris. From 1985 to 1996, he was Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Techint. In 1996, he moved to the United Kingdom and was Chief Executive Officer of Pilkington until May 2002. From 2002 to 2005, he was Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Enel, Italy’s leading electricity utility. In 2005 and in 2006, he was Chairman of Alliance Unichem. [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Paolo Scaroni is ideally positioned to share with decision makers the innovative operating strategies he has implemented during his successful career. He also demonstrates how to lead successful multinational companies to steadily increase their global market share.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Paolo Scaroni inspires audiences around the globe. He has excellent rhetoric skills at his command which also makes him a speaker in demand worldwide. [/expand]

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Founder of Kaldi’s Coffee

Howard Lerner is the founder of Kaldi’s Coffee, a chain of retail cafes supported by a large coffee roasting facility located in St. Louis. Kaldi’s is at the center of Third Wave Coffee, a movement devoted to elevating the efforts of world coffee workers, from farmer to barista; from seed to cup.

“Kaldi’s founder knows coffee history – and he’s trying to write its future”

[expand title=”In detail”] In 2009, after selling his stake in Kaldi’s, Lerner launched another startup, Inbru Coffee Flavors, based on a technology he developed and patented. The product, launched in 2010, was on the shelves of all 262 Williams-Sonoma Stores within three months. Inbru was named one of the top 20 new gourmet products of 2010 by The Specialty Food Association. Lerner sold Inbru in 2012.Lerner also founded decemberpress.com, a small business consultancy focusing on startups and mature business clients seeking inspiration, organization and fresh, new, creative ideas in the retail, wholesale and service sectors. Prior to Kaldi’s, Lerner was a professional journalist, covering diplomacy and defense for The Jerusalem Post, Israel’s international newspaper of record, and as a business writer for The St. Louis Business Journal. He graduated Washington University in 1987 with a degree in English literature and writing. Lerner has a master’s degree from the University of Missouri School of Journalism.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]An entrepreneur and manager with experience in innovation, business consulting, product development and marketing, Lerner offers audiences inspiration and entertainment while sharing his adventures in retail, manufacturing and wholesale. Anyone who wants to know how to build customer loyalty, recruit great people, retain talent and expand their business into something truly awesome will walk away with a smile and at least three good ideas.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Lerner is a candid, eloquent, and passionate speaker who has something important to say about startups, value, pricing and business culture. He’s a popular speaker who brings complex concepts such as exit strategies, family business, trend analysis, technology and workplace culture into simple, clear focus. [/expand]

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Agent Provocateur of the Industrial Design World

Luigi Colani may be the best-known designer the world over – recognizable by his “Colani” signature on all his designs and products as well as by the biodynamic forms he creates, modelled after nature itself. He has enjoyed an extraordinary career as a designer, creating many of the forms that are visible in today’s society. In 2007 he was awarded the “Life-Time-Award” in the famous Design-University of Pasadena as a further prize for his life time work, having received numerous design awards.

“Leonardo Da Vinci of the 20th Century” – Stern

[expand title=”In detail”] Luigi’s philosophy of ergonomic design can be seen in designs including Canon’s easy-to-grip T-90 camera and the aerodynamic form of Sony headphones. His design accomplishments include golf equipment, shoes, eyewear, jewellery, luggage, lighters, automobiles, airplanes, telephones and bed linen. In the 1990s, he developed the first PC without edges and right angles for Vobis. In 1953 he moved to SIMCA in France where he developed the very first fully plastic car body.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]For over five decades now Colani has been the unabashed agent provocateur of the design world. Luigi Colani’s greatest strength is that he thinks in terms of grand utopias, creating ingenious drafts for designs that preempt much of what is not yet technically feasible. He has also spoken and presented at worldwide exhibitions and also the WEF in Davos, Switzerland.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Luigi Colani’s design genius is obvious in his fascinating presentations that entertain and enthrawl eager audiences worldwide. He has also found tremendous acceptance in the industrial world.
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Expert on Economic Developments in China and the Far East

Professor Barbara Krug is a leading expert on economic developments in China and the Far East. She has carried out many years of scientific and economic research which has contributed to the greater understanding of these regions and helped to improve East/West relations. Barbara has also been lecturing since 1981 at the University of Saarbrücken and is a visiting Professor at a number of seats of learning around the globe.

“Europe’s leading expert on the economic evolution of China”

[expand title=”In detail”] Following her Business Studies degree she studied Chinese at the National Taiwan University and carried out research at the university’s Institute for International Relations. Since 1996 she has been carrying out research on Township and Village Enterprises in conjunction with the Chinese-European International Business School (CEIBS).[/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]Barbara Krug is widely recognised as one of the world’s leading experts in her field with over twenty years experience in the research and assessment of the development of emerging Asian nations and specifically the Chinese economic evolution. She is in the privileged position to be able to offer, corporations wishing to do business in the Far East, access to a wealth of data and information.[/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]An experienced lecturer and excellent communicator, her presentations are filled with invaluable solutions and ideas to inspire decision makers from all fields.[/expand]

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