The Leading Speakers Bureau

South American IT Entrepreneur, Founder of patagon.com

Wenceslao Casares is co-CEO of Bling Nation, a mobile payments company he founded in 2007 and a partner of ‘MECK Ltd’, a private investment partnership. As part of his philanthropic and not-for-profit activities he served on the board of the Viva Trust and currently serves on the Board of Endeavor. He established the Fundacion Sintesis with the goal of inspiring the next generation of social and political leaders in Latin America. He is an elected member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Leaders for Tomorrow and has attended Davos since 2001.

“A leading business figure in South America”

[expand title=”In detail”] He is also the founder of Wanako Games, a US based developer of console videogames. The company won the “Game of the Year” award for Xbox Live in 2006. Wanako Games was sold to Vivendi Universal (Euronext: VIV) and in 1997, Casares founded Patagon, an Online Brokerage. The company also expanded into online banking in Spain and Germany. Patagon was the first Latin American online broker and online bank. In 1994 Casares launched Internet Argentina S.A., the first internet service provider in the country. He then sold that company in order to establish Patagon.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Drawing from his own business experiences Wenceslao offers audiences a wealth of useful advice and business know-how based on his own life story. His presentations are filled with the secrets of his success and he offers an unparalleled insight into the business acumen which has made him one of South America’s renowned business men.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]A charismatic and charming speaker, Wenceslao talks candidly about his life, motivating and inspiring audiences in the process.[/expand]

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President & CEO of Streetline Inc.

Zia Yusuf, a top technical expert with a proven track record of leading companies to success, is currently CEO of a venture-funded start-up called Streetline. The company is a global leader in smart city solution who deploys sensor-based networks in cities. Over 30% of traffic in a city is caused by people looking for parking. Streetline puts a sensor in each parking spot and then provides a range of web and mobile applications to cities and consumers. Zia is also a consulting associate professor at Stanford University.

“Streetline was named the world’s smartest start-up”

[expand title=”In detail”] Prior to Streetline, Zia was the Executive Vice President and member of the Executive Leadership Team at the global business software leader SAP AG. Having spent ten years at SAP in December 2009, he joined Sutter Hill Ventures and Norwest Venture Partners as entrepreneur in residence, looking at a range of start-ups to find his next role. Streetline is a Sutter Hill portfolio company and that is how he was invited to join as CEO. Prior to SAP AP, Zia was with Goldman Sachs for a couple of years and before that with the World Bank Group. [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Zia Yusuf provides audiences with ideas and insights into how people can shape their careers, explaining how each individual plays a role in their own success, stretching them into areas and tasks they did not think they could do.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]A highly motivating and experienced speaker, Zia Yusuf shares his business background and experiences with audiences worldwide.[/expand]

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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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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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Design Director and Chief Creative Officer of Land Rover

Gerry McGovern is recognised as one of the world’s leading automotive designers. As Design Director and Chief Creative Officer for Land Rover, Gerry creates some of the world’s most distinctive and desirable vehicles. Gerry is also a member of the Jaguar Land Rover Executive Committee. His wider remit is to guide all aspects of visual communications ensuring a consistent look and feel between vehicles and identity of the brand. He and his team are in the process of creating an entire new generation of Land Rovers, redefining the brand and building on established heritage to make the product range relevant to the 21st Century including the phenomenally successful Range Rover Evoque. Gerry is currently leading the team to develop opportunities to grow the business into new areas.

“One of the most accomplished automotive designers”

[expand title=”In detail”] With a background in industrial and automotive design, Gerry began his career at Chrysler in Detroit, before returning to the UK as a Senior Designer for Peugeot and later joining the Rover Group. Through this period he was the lead designer of the critically acclaimed MGF sports car, the Land Rover Freelander and the third generation Range Rover. Gerry then moved to the Ford Motor Company to head up and rejuvenate the Lincoln-Mercury brands, before returning to the UK to run a design consultancy in London. Gerry is an authority on modern architecture and furniture as well as a collector of contemporary art.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Gerry will share his insights on how to bring vision and strategy to your business through the art of great design and the process of improvement. He also shares his passion for design, the importance of creating a unique design language and its effect on our environment. Gerry shares his vision of the luxury goods market and why it can be replicated in any city around the world.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]His enlightening presentations are delivered with clarity and humour, and he will engage with audiences on every level at prestigious events around the globe.[/expand]

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Entrepreneur and Businessman

Doug Richard is a successful entrepreneur, and active angel investor, with over 25 years’ experience in the development and leadership of high technology and software ventures. Doug featured in the first two TV series of Dragons’ Den. In his time he has started, grown and sold 4 companies, run a NASDAQ listed public software company, invested in over 20 startups, invested over US$120Million into high tech companies in the UK as an institutional investor and taught over 10,000 people how to start their own company through his social Enterprise School for Startups.

“Entrepreneurship can be taught and must be learned”

[expand title=”In detail”] Doug was Chairman of the Conservative Party Small Business Task Force, and is non-executive Director of BrightPearl Software Love2scoot. He was President and CEO of Micrografx. Prior to that he also founded and subsequently sold two other companies: Visual Software and ITAL Computers. In 2006 he was the first American to receive The Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion; in 2007 he became a fellow of the RSA. In 2009 Doug received an Honorary Doctorate of the University of Essex for his contribution to entrepreneurship education. In 2010 he was awarded Enterprise Educator of the Year. From 2010 he has been a guest lecturer on Entrepreneurship at Cambridge University. Doug holds a BA in Psychology from University of California at Berkeley and a Juris Doctor at the school of Law, University of California at Los Angeles[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Doug has always been a champion for startups and small businesses and is dedicated to helping many entrepre¬neurs to start better, more profitable businesses. [/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]An outstanding storyteller, Doug’s speeches are a combination of excellent humour, raconteur timing and invaluable business insights which make him a highly sought after speaker.[/expand]

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Expert in Leadership and Business Development in BRIC Countries

Meow Yee is the Program Director, Emerging Markets, for IBM’s mainframe division. She is responsible for developing the unit’s business strategy and execution plans for growing in BRIC countries. Ms Yee is also passionate about the development of Asian women leadership. She is the President and Co-Founder of the Asian Women Leadership Network, a multi-company US not-for-profit organization.

“Meow Yee was profiled for the “Pathways to Power” by Time magazine

[expand title=”In detail”] As the project executive for Asian Initiatives, in Corporate Communications, Meow led and managed a groundbreaking project to drive new levels of collaboration to share best practices across multiple global companies around the Asian marketplace and Asian talent. Prior to that, she spearheaded efforts across IBM to deliver its On Demand Business Strategy and served as president of the Westchester & Hudson Valley Chapter of the Organization of Chinese Americans. She graduated with a Master of Science degree in computer science from the University of London and a Bachelor of Science in mathematics from the University of Malaya in Malaysia.[/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]Meow Yee is a leading expert in the field of technical innovation, strategy and business development in emerging countries and particularly in BRIC. She talks about the key questions that business leaders must address in order to develop winning strategies.[/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]Her fact filled and engaging presentations make Meow Yee a sought-after speaker at prestigious conferences around the globe.[/expand]

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Former CEO of Dyson

Martin McCourt is the former CEO of Dyson. As CEO of Dyson for 15 years, he led the business from niche vacuum cleaner maker to a global brand with an extensive product line. Having worked closely alongside James Dyson, Martin was named Orange Business Leader of the Year and he is now a Director at Montagu Associates advising them on the manufacturing sector. He is Chairman of three of its portfolio companies: CAP, the market leading automotive intelligence company that provides data related to used car values, CliniSys, a pan-European supplier of IT systems to clinical laboratories and D.O.R.C. a leading provider of innovative instruments and equipment for ophthalmic surgery.

“2010 Orange Business Leader of the Year”

[expand title=”In detail”] Originally working in sales and marketing for brands including Duracell and Mars, Martin was drafted in by James Dyson to expand the company and drive it towards market dominance. Martin was given control of the commercial side of the business leaving James to focus on the design, engineering and innovation aspects. Alongside the marketing and brand side, Martin transferred manufacturing to Asia and expanded into new global markets. On his departure, Dyson turnover had exceeded £1bn and the business was a brand leader around the world, including in the US.
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[expand title=”What he offers you”]Martin demonstrates to audiences the importance of innovation, the role of leadership, and the differences (and similarities) between large and small businesses. He looks at growing a business in challenging times, expanding overseas, and the importance of manufacturing and export to the UK economy.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]His informative and unconventional presentations make Martin McCourt a sought-after commentator at conferences around the globe.[/expand]

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Business Technology Futurist, visionary technology and business strategist

Jack Shaw is a visionary technology and business strategist. He has spent his career leading companies in numerous industries and their technology suppliers to better, more efficient ways of conducting and operating their businesses. His keen perception and vision into emerging technologies and business practices enable clients to build products and services that anticipate where the market is headed.

“Jack Shaw is a renowned expert on technology”

[expand title=”In detail”] Jack graduated from Yale with a degree in Business Administration and has an MBA from Kellogg in Finance and Marketing. During his decades of experience with business technology Jack has provided advisory services to leading companies including IBM, SAP, Oracle and CA Technologies amongst others. He has also delivered expert guidance not only to Fortune 500 Companies such as General Electric and Coca Cola but also to numerous small and mid-market businesses in the public and private sector. [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Jack Shaw is uniquely talented at translating business technology into business value propositions. As a futurist, he is particularly expert at helping C-level executives and managers recognise and understand the strategic implications of emerging technologies. [/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]His dynamic and personalised presentations make Jack Shaw a sought after speaker at conferences around the globe. He is also an experienced workshop facilitator and panel moderator.[/expand]

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Author of ‘Hypercompetition’ and professor at Amos Tuck School of Business Administration

Dr. D’Aveni, author of ‘Hypercompetition’ and professor at Amos Tuck School of Business Administration, says the nature of competition has changed for good. One of the most pronounced changes is the disappearance of a long-term sustainable advantage. He defines today’s world of hypercompetition where players hold on to their advantage only temporarily, while creating opportunities for long-term success through a series of short-term advantages.

[expand title=”In detail”] He offers a strategic approach to competition by explaining ways you can win in a hypercompetitive market. He gives you many examples of once stable industries that are being replaced by those in a constant state of flux, competing on many levels at the same time. He shows you how existing competitive models no longer work and why force fitting them into today’s environment is wrong.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]D’Aveni is author of the masterful book, Hypercompetition: Managing the Dynamics of Strategic Manoeuvring which Fortune calls a “modern day analogue to The Art of War”, the ancient Chinese classic that is the bible of many corporate strategists. A consultant to major corporations, including several Fortune 500 firms, he is much sought after for executive education programs on strategy and executive leadership and organisational politics. He is extensively quoted in publications such as The New York Times, Fortune, Business Month and the Los Angeles Times.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Richard D’Aveni is a member of the Bar and a C.P.A,. He earned his B.A cum laude at Cornell University, his M.B.A cum laude at Boston University and his Ph.D in Strategic Management at Columbia University.[/expand]

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