The Leading Speakers Bureau

Philosopher & Author

Alain de Botton is a writer of essayistic books that have been described as a “philosophy of everyday life”. He has written widely on philosophy, work, status, religion, love, architecture, travel, and literature. His books have been best-sellers in 30 countries and some have been turned into TV series. Alain has also opened a school in London called The School of Life, dedicated to a new vision of education.

“Everything we expected and more!”
Miles Young, Worldwide CEO, Ogilvy & Mather

[expand title=”In detail”] In his books, Alain refers both to his own experiences and ideas and to those of artists, philosophers and thinkers, informed by his deep reading in philosophy and by a novelist’s eye for small, perfect moments. He is a frequent contributor to numerous newspapers, journals and magazines and is a member of the Arts Council of England’s literature panel.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Acclaimed philosopher, Alain de Botton offers a kinder, gentler philosophy of success, giving us a great lesson on how to relate to ourselves, and how to relax counter-productive emotions. The way he organizes his thoughts, and combines philosophy with pragmatism, is truly engaging. His goal is (through any of his mediums) to help clients learn “how to live wisely and well”. He was an extremely popular speaker at TEDGlobal 2009.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]With a philosophical eye and his characteristic combination of wit and wisdom, Alain de Botton’s humorous, articulate and eye opening talks are given with an elegance philosophers might envy. He makes an eloquent, witty case to move beyond snobbery to find true pleasure in our work and skilfully raises the big questions we all tend to ask of our work.[/expand]
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Expert on Innovation & the Future of Media, Author, Publisher & TV Presenter

Florian Langenscheidt is widely respected for his innovative approach to publishing, the future of new media, and consequently the future of e-business. He is also a successful children’s book author and holds prestigious chairs and board memberships with organisations such as Transatlantic Ventures AG, buecher.de AG, the BDI Committee for Multimedia and Telecommunications. He is TV-host of the Münchner Runde talk show, Bavarian TV and nachtclub (since 1992).

“One of the Germany’s most important media experts”

[expand title=”In detail”] Born in Berlin to the Langenscheidt dynasty, whose name has become synonymous with the famous dictionary group, Florian took on the running of the 150 year-old family business in 1990, the Langenscheidt Publishing Group. A graduate of Harvard University and MBA holder from INSEAD, Langenscheidt was Chairman of the study group “Initiative Future” in Germany from 1996-1999, founding spokesman for the study group “Electronic Publishing” and columnist of Capital. Florian is also an active promoter of reading and a Board Member of the German Children and Youth Foundation in Germany. He has devoted his time to the global children’s organisation “Children for a Better World” and serves on the Board of Trustees for the World-Wide Fund for Nature.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Dr. Langenscheidt is widely regarded as one of the leading authorities in Germany on Innovation & the Future of Media. His numerous speeches at home and abroad are concerned with optimism, values, family companies, trademarks, school, education, luck and Germany. [/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Florian Langenscheidt engages his audience with a unique “return to innocence” theme whilst discussing the trendiest topics of innovation and future media. Though far advanced into the world of the e-book, Florian Langenscheidt still believes in the emotional experience of reading a book. “You hold it, you smell it, you feel it!”. He delights audiences with his humorous and entertaining style.[/expand]
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Wine Expert, TV Presenter, Writer

Olly Smith is Britain’s much loved TV presenter who specialises in wine and food, and currently hosts Iron Chef UK for Channel 4. Olly regularly “rocks out” on a variety of television shows including BBC1’s Saturday Kitchen, Richard and Judy, and appears on Cheers from Chile and internationally on Great Food Live and Taste. He is a food and drinks writer for a multitude of publications including Waitrose Food Illustrated, Wine & Spirit Magazine, The Independent, and FHM. On the internet, Olly is a founder member of The Wine Gang. In 2009, Olly won the prestigious International Wine And Spirits Communicator of the Year award.

“The world’s most entertaining wine writer”

[expand title=”In detail”] Commercially, Olly is the face of Cafédirect, Fairtrade teas, coffee and cocoa and is opening his first fine wine bar The Glass House with P&O luxury cruises on board the cruise ship Azura in 2010. Olly will also be appearing regularly on the ship leading wine tasting events as well as creating a wine list to match Atul Kochhar’s on-board restaurant Sindhu.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Multi-talented, Olly is a charismatic and popular personality, adding his own special touch to any event with his affable persona and expert knowledge of wines. [/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Olly Smith is a versatile, adaptable and truly unique character who entertains and adds prestige to any event.[/expand]
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Wine Expert, Author and TV Personality

Oz Clarke first became a household name as a presenter of BBC TV’s Food and Drink since then he has appeared on numerous other television shows. As well as his work as a broadcaster Oz hosts many wine tastings throughout the year and each year he makes personal appearances at the BBC Good Food Show at the NEC and BBC Festive Good Food Show in London.

“Oz is a cheery character who makes a great effort to understand the audience – he is superb”

[expand title=”In detail”] Oz Clarke’s wine career began when he captained the wine-tasting team for Oxford University. After graduating, Oz spent a number of years as an actor before turning to writing professionally in 1984, Oz was by then a leading West End actor (playing all the men in the Mitford Girls, Sweeny Todd and Peron in Evita). Nowadays Oz appears frequently on television and his wine books and guides are best-sellers. He has been awarded International Wine Personality of the Year along with James May at the International Wine Challenge Awards 2009. Oz also won the 2009 Louis Roederer International Wine Writers’ Awards Oz as the winner of the International Wine Book 2009 for his book Bordeaux.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]A charismatic and popular television personality, Oz adds his own special touch to any event with his affable persona and encyclopaedic knowledge of wines.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Oz is an entertaining speaker and a delightful host. He takes great care preparing for his presentations and ensures that audiences always have a great time.[/expand]
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Editor-at-Large of the Daily Telegraph

Jeff Randall is a Business Journalist, formerly the Business Editor of BBC News and Editor-at-Large of the Daily Telegraph. He joined the Daily Telegraph in 2005 after four years with the BBC. He was previously with the Sunday Business, which he edited from its launch in February 1998.

“He talks and writes about complex financial matters in a language people understand.”
The Daily Telegraph

[expand title=”In detail”] Between 1986 and 1988 he was City Correspondent for the Sunday Telegraph, which he joined from the Financial Weekly, where he was Assistant Editor. He spent five years from 1989 to 1994 as City Editor on the Sunday Times. Between 1994 and 1995 he was City and Business Editor on the Sunday Times, as well as a Director of Times Newspapers. From 1995 to 1996 he was Deputy Chairman of Financial Dynamics Ltd, a City PR firm. He then became Assistant Editor and Sports Editor on the Sunday Times and was responsible for launching the Sunday Times’ 20-page colour sports section in 1996. He won the London Press Club’s Business Journalist of the Year Award in 2000 and the FT Analysis’ Financial Journalist of the Year Award in 1991. [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]One of the UK’s best known and most influential business commentators, Jeff proves to be an ideal moderator and host at various conferences throughout the country.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Relaxed and highly professional he draws on his extensive media experience to provide audiences with a truly memorable event.[/expand]
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Former Economics Editor at the BBC & Author

Peter Jay is best known as the former Economics Editor at the BBC, a position which put his finger firmly on the pulse of current economic markets and the volatile political factors affecting the world’s businesses.

Peter uses his considerable knowledge of the global and European economic landscape to provide essential information and insights to enable decision makers to plan strategically and gain the all important competitive advantage.

[expand title=”In detail”] Educated at Oxford and a veteran of the Royal Navy, Peter served for six years in the British Treasury Department before joining the Times as Economics Editor. After a decade at the paper, he was appointed UK Ambassador to the United States.

At the Treasury Department Peter gained useful insight into the political and economical decision making processes of the UK Government, and he gained further insight in to the US political processes during his short but successful tenure as UK Ambassador to the US. [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Peter’s book the ‘Wealth of Man’ is an insightful, stirring account of man’s pursuit of wealth from caveman to cyberspace and spans the entire globe. It has received recognition as a masterpiece of historical, economic, scientific and cultural synthesis, the sort of re-reading of history that makes a reader’s eyes pop open with wonder and delight.

Peter brings depth and perception to his entertaining presentations. He is an excellent communicator and a true professional. Undoubtedly of the highest economic pedigree, he is in frequent demand to keynote summits and conferences around the globe. [/expand]
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Journalist and CNN International Anchor

Richard Quest is CNN’s foremost international business correspondent and presenter of Quest Means Business; the definitive word on how we earn and spend our money. He is one of the most instantly recognisable members of the CNN team. He is also CNN’s established airline and aviation correspondent and currently presents the monthly CNN Business Traveller show. As a business travel specialist, he has become a voice of authority on subjects like the launch of the Airbus A380.

“The big story of the day is always going to be driven by what’s happened, and by the facts and the events”

[expand title=”In detail”] Prior to joining CNN he worked at the BBC, where he was the North America’s business correspondent, based on Wall Street for 12 years. He was also an occasional presenter on the BBC’s early morning Business Breakfast programme. He joined CNN in 2001 for the launch of Business International. Since this time he has covered a variety of different events for CNN, amongst others an analysis of the U.S. elections as American Quest and the start of the circulation of euro banknotes and coins on 1 January 2002 and the last official commercial flight of Concorde.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]An experienced speaker at international events Richard shares his learnings and insights to help others to grow business and also innovation.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Richard’s dynamic and distinctive style has made him a unique figure in the field of business broadcasting.[/expand]
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Britain’s Leading Authority on the Travel Industry

Simon Calder is recognised as Britain’s leading authority on the travel industry. He is senior travel editor of The Independent newspaper, contributing editor for Conde Nast Traveller magazine (UK) and regularly writes for many publications including Travel Weekly and High Life magazine. Since 1995, he has been a presenter on various BBC travel programmes, including Holiday, Perfect Holiday and Departure Lounge. He is regularly interviewed about travel news and stories on BBC 1’s Breakfast Show and on GM TV.

“The UK’s most experienced travel journalist”

[expand title=”In detail”] Simon reports on travel issues for BBC Radio 4’s You & Yours, comments upon travel news features for a wide variety of BBC Radio 5 programmes and is a presenter for Classic FM. He also writes travel books and travel guides, on subjects ranging from destinations such as Amsterdam and Cuba to the business of low-cost aviation.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]With a wealth of experience in the travel industry, Simon offers audiences tips and insights into the industry and what the future has in stall for this multi-billion pound industry. [/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]An experienced media personality, Simon is a relaxed presenter with a great sense of humour and a charismatic personality.[/expand]
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Google’s Head of Media Outreach, Award-winning Reporter / Host & Author of ‘The Digital Diet’

Daniel Sieberg is Google’s Head of Media Outreach and official spokesperson based in New York City. At their offices worldwide, Daniel manages projects & teams related to Google’s marketing strategy, partnerships / sponsorships and media outreach on services including geo-related tools, search, trends, Google+ / YouTube and data visualization. He also trains journalists on how to use the suite of Google tools for newsgathering, analytics and brand building.

‘Business Broadcasting All-Star’ Portfolio magazine

[expand title=”In detail”] Prior to joining Google, Daniel was an Emmy-nominated TV correspondent / host whose work covering science and technology across four continents having appeared on CBS News, CNN, ABC News, NBC News, MSNBC, BBC News, NPR, PBS, The Daily, Al Jazeera English, CNET, the Discovery Channel, Bloomberg, Planet Green, Oprah.com, The Nate Berkus Show, The Dr. Oz Show, Details, the Washington Post and the Vancouver Sun. He has been named a Peabody winner for his work with CNN’s coverage of Hurricane Katrina, and garnered numerous accolades in reporting including a Webby award of distinction and a Wilbur.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Daniel Sieberg explores better tech management, examines ways to streamline the use of everyday devices like smart phones and heightens awareness of how technology affects our (real) lives and those around us. His research crosses several avenues of technology, business and society. With his finger firmly on the pulse of the digital age, Daniel uses his considerable expertise to offer business audiences useful, actionable strategies covering marketing, social media, new technologies and the environment.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Daniel Sieberg has been a featured speaker at events all over the world. With a captivating style, humour and wisdom, he entertains, informs and motivates global corporate audiences.[/expand]
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Middle East & International Affairs Expert

Henrique Cymerman is a Portuguese journalist who works as a Middle East correspondent for Antena 3 and La Vanguardia. Henrique also acts as correspondent for the Portuguese channel SIC and has made several appearances for the BBC and television in Israel and Palestine.

“Peace between politicians is not enough”

[expand title=”In detail”] Born in Portugal, Henrique Cymerman graduated from the University of Tel Aviv in Psychology, an MA in the field of political science and sociology. Among the many interviews and testimonies of political and religious leaders, is what would be Yitzhak Rabin’s last interview, 24 hours before the president was assassinated. It has recently been published in a Hebrew version, among other major interviews: Hussein, King of Jordan, Yasser Arafat, the Palestinian President, Ahmed Qurei, Palestinian Prime Minister, Mahmoud Abbas, Palestinian President, Ahmed Yassin, the Hamas leader, Abdallah Shami, a leader of Islamic Jihad, Gaza, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, former U.S. Vice President Al Gore and former Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Henrique Cymerman has collected many of the voices of the Middle East. The voices of leaders who make the decisions, the fundamentalists, the collaborators and traitors who give or risk their lives for their own truth, the voices of experts on terrorism and international leaders who interpret this tragic reality and civil society who suffer the daily consequences of the confrontation between Arabs and Israelis. He offers a completely impartial viewpoint on the current and future situation in the Middle East.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Henrique Cymerman’s frank, honest and highly researched presentations are always well received. Henrique is known for his thorough preparation, his relaxed style and professional attitude.[/expand]
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