The Leading Speakers Bureau

Philanthropist, World Famous Author & Creator of the Harry Potter Series

Joanne “Jo” Murray OBE better known as J. K. Rowling is perhaps equally famous for her “rags to riches” life story, in which she progressed from living on welfare to multi-millionaire status within five years. The Potter books have gained worldwide attention, won multiple awards, sold more than 400 million copies, and been the basis for a popular series of films. Time magazine named her as a runner-up for its 2007 Person of the Year, noting the social, moral, and political inspiration she has given her fandom.

Forbes ranked J. K. Rowling as the forty-eighth most powerful celebrity of 2007

[expand title=”In detail”] In 2000, graduate of Exeter University, a teacher and then an unemployed single parent, “Jo” established the Volant Charitable Trust, which combats poverty and social inequality and in 2005 founded the Children’s High Level Group. She is the president of the charity One Parent Families. She has received honorary degrees from St Andrews University, the University of Edinburgh, Napier University, the University of Exeter and the University of Aberdeen. The Harry Potter novels have been translated into more than 60 languages.[/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]Perhaps no one in our time has done more than J.K. Rowling to inspire young people to experience the excitement and the sheer joy of reading. She conveys the idea that we do not need magic to transform the world. She emphasizes that we should not be afraid of failure in life as our imaginations are our greatest gifts. She is an experienced speaker, having spoken at prestigious global events including being Harvard University’s principal commencement speaker.[/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]J. K. Rowling speaks from the heart and provides inspiration to a wide ranging worldwide audience.[/expand]
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2007 Joint Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Vice Chairman of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

Prof. Mohan Munasinghe is Chairman of the Munasinghe Institute of Development (MIND), Colombo; Director-General of the Sustainable Consumption Institute (SCI) and Distinguished Professor at the University of Manchester; and Honorary Senior Advisor to the Sri Lanka Government. As Vice-Chairman of the United Nations IPCC, Professor Munasinghe shared the 2007 Nobel Prize for Peace, for his work on global warming and sustainable development.

“Prof. Munasinghe is a multi international prize winner for his research and its applications”

[expand title=”In detail”] Mohan Munasinghe has earned post-graduate degrees in engineering, physics and development economics from Cambridge University (UK), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (USA), and McGill University and Concordia University (Canada). During 35 years of distinguished public service, he has served as Senior Energy Advisor to the President of Sri Lanka, Advisor to the United States Presidents Council on Environmental Quality, and Senior Advisor to the World Bank. He is a Fellow of several international Academies of Science, and serves on the editorial boards of a dozen academic journals.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Mohan Munasinghe delivers insightful keynote speeches at gatherings ranging from high level international conferences to community meetings. He offers presentations and training seminars to corporations and governments on climate change, sustainable development, environment, economics, energy, transport, water resources, and information technology.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Mohan Munasinghe challenges audiences with his hard hitting, informative and well researched presentations.[/expand]
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Former CEO & Chairman of the Management Board of Gucci Group, Fortune Magazine’s European Businessman of the Year 2007

Robert Polet joined Gucci Group in 2004 after a 26-year career at Unilever, bringing considerable global management experience and a deep knowledge of the development of consumer brands in a multicultural environment. His dynamism has helped turn around luxury goods company Gucci Group and was named as European Businessman of the Year 2007 by Fortune magazine. He encourages the people working with him to break rules and to go outside the box.

“The man who has put the extra into extravagance”

[expand title=”In detail”] Robert Polet studied business administration at Nijenrode in the Netherlands and earned an MBA from the University of Oregon, USA. He joined Unilever in 1978, and has worked there in a broad variety of marketing and senior executive positions throughout the world. In his latest position, he was president of Unilever’s Worldwide Ice Cream and Frozen Foods division. Where Robert Polet exerts control at Gucci is in selecting the right leaders, and he then enjoys letting them “Go for it”.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Robert Polet shares his ideas for managing fashion brands, where art and commerce collide, with international audiences at events worldwide. His motto is “always put yourself through the hardship of keeping things simple” and his self-confidence and single-mindedness have brought success throughout his career. His people oriented leadership produces extraordinary results. He is open-minded, very direct, very transparent, and a fine speaker.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Never having been one to adhere to rules and protocols, this highly charismatic Dutchman, Robert Polet is truly insightful and memorable.[/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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Advertising Genius, Founder & Creative Chairman of Droga5

David Droga has rewritten the book for contemporary ideas development and is possibly the most successful Australian creative export. David’s own agency launched in New York City in 2006, Droga5, is now the fastest growing independent agency in America. In Australia, Creative magazine named him “Australian Creative Person of the Decade”. To date, he is the single-most awarded creative at the Cannes International Advertising Festival, with over 50 Cannes Lions. He sits on several boards, including the One Club, Magnum and New Museum.

“Guru of the marketing and advertising world”

[expand title=”In detail”] David Droga launched his career by winning the top Student Honours at the Australian Writers & Art Directors School. At 22, he became a partner and Executive Creative Director of OMON Sydney. Over the next five years, OMON won “Australian Agency of the Year” twice and “Ad of the Year” four times. In 1996, David moved to Singapore to become Executive Creative Director of Saatchi & Saatchi, Singapore and Regional Creative Director of Saatchi Asia. At 29, David was promoted to Executive Creative Director of Saatchi & Saatchi, London. In 2003, he headed to New York City as the first-ever Worldwide Chief Creative Officer of the Publicis Network.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Having created one of the world’s most respected organisations and responsible for award-winning campaigns, including the Air Force One spoof for Marc Ecko and Unicef Tap project, David Droga is a highly sought-after speaker at events worldwide. While David puts strong emphasis on leadership and success, he values enjoyment, loyalty and sincerity even more. With all his international travel and experiences, David is most proud of the diversity and breadth of work he has helped to create over the years.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]The amiable Aussie and one of the world’s most highly awarded creatives, David Droga, is the creative supremo that everyone wants to hear from. He is widely admired, with that certain something – a compelling combination of cheeky chappy with a dark, mysterious edge who enjoys taking on huge challenges.[/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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Expert on Employment and Workforce Diversity

Amin Rajan is Chief Executive of the Centre for Research in Employment and Technology in Europe (CREATE) – a pan-European network of prominent researchers undertaking high level advisory assignments for the UK government, City institutions, multinational companies and international bodies such as the EU, OECD and ILO. He is also a visiting professor at the Cass Business School, London Guildhall University and at the Centre for Leadership Studies at Exeter University, and also President of the Scientific Committee at Audencia-Nantes, Ecole de Management.

“ Amin’s work has proved so influential that he now provides leadership coaching to top executives and investment specialists”

[expand title=”In detail”] Amin Rajin was formerly an economic advisor at the National Economic Development Office, Cabinet Office and HM Treasury. He has also carried out numerous studies for the UK Government and international bodies, and acted as a consultant to companies such as BP, British Telecom, IBM, ICL, Legal & General, Motorola, Merrill Lynch, National Westminster Bank, Fiat, Rolls Royce, SunAlliance and Shell.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]As a prominent researcher Amin Rajan offers audiences valuable insights into the business benefits of and practical challenges involved in the promotion of workforce diversity. Amin Rajan also uses his experience to coach decision makers and offer essential advice on leadership and emerging business strategies. [/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Appearing regularly on business television as well as at numerous events around the world, Amin Rajan’s high content presentations are filled with invaluable information from his research perfectly tailored to suit individual client’s needs.[/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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Founder of GrameenPhone & Global Leader for Tomorrow

Iqbal Quadir is the Executive Director of the Legatum Center for Development and Entrepreneurship. He founded GrameenPhone and Gonofone, profitable ventures which provide universal telecommunications access in Bangladesh. Iqbal’s work has been recognised by leaders and organisations worldwide, with invitations to speak at many forums, including the World Bank, United Nations, World Economic Forum, and Aspen Institute.

“Iqbal has opened the world’s eyes to expanding the use of modern telecommunications technologies in the world’s poorest places”

[expand title=”In detail”] In 2006, he became the 12th recipient of the prestigious Science, Education and Economic Development Award from the Rotary Club of Metropolitan Dhaka, for initiating universal telephone coverage to Bangladesh. He appeared on CNN and PBS and was profiled in feature articles in the Harvard Business Review, Financial Times, The Economist, and The New York Times, and in several books. In spring 2007, Wharton Alumni Magazine selected Quadir for its list of 125 Influential People and Ideas. He has previously taught at Harvard University.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]With experience of having attained revenues close to US$ 1 billion annually with GrameenPhone, Iqbal has a wealth of knowledge and unparalleled expertise in telecommunications and economics. Iqbal Quadir offers audience’s great insights and useful guidelines on the future of these fields.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]An empowering and engaging speaker, Iqbal Quadir talks passionately about his goals and dreams and leaves audiences inspired with his simple yet effective ideas.[/expand]
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