The Leading Speakers Bureau

Former President of Virgin Galactic

Will Whitehorn was once described as Sir Richard Branson’s “right hand man” and has recently stepped down as President from Virgin Galactic prior to the commercial launch of that unique space project to pursue a portfolio career that includes a number of Directorships most notably with Loewy the UK design and media group. He sits on the Science and Technology Facilities Council, the UK Government funding body for scientific research in the UK and is a non-executive chairman of Next Fifteen Communications Plc.

“Leading expert on Branding and Leadership”

[expand title=”In detail”] Will was talent spotted by Sir Richard Branson in 1987 and joined the Virgin Group where he rose to become Group Corporate Affairs and Brand Development Director. In this role he was the official spokesman for the company and a trusted advisor to Sir Richard. Whilst at Virgin he was responsible for Virgin’s revolutionary approach to PR and building an admired brand. This included major stories such as the battle with BA over flight prices and the Cumbrian rail crash where Virgin was praised for the heroism of the driver. More recently he ran Virgin Galactic the commercial space flight project that has made headlines. His first hand experience of running industrial design projects includes the development of Virgin’s Pendolino and the Virgin Atlantic Flyer.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Sharing his insights into the Virgin story, Will Whitehorn offers a detailed analysis of how the online industry and innovation across all business functions within Virgin has impacted on consumers and brands. In his presentations, he also explains the importance of online industry, PR and innovation and how they can be used to create a competitive edge in business and how future space technology will influence our lives including digital communications. [/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Will is a natural communicator with a great passion for business and technology who has the ability to inspire his audiences to innovate. [/expand]
Continue Reading »

Founder of easyJet

Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou is a Monaco based entrepreneur of Greek-Cypriot origin. He stepped back from the board of EasyJet in 2010, now concentrating fully on the role of shareholder. True to his beliefs in serial entrepreneurship, Stelios consolidated the ownership of the easy brand into his private company, easyGroup, comprising several easy-branded businesses – all dedicated to offering consumers more value for less.

“A Serial Entrepreneur”

[expand title=”In detail”] Prior to founding the low-cost airline that revolutionized European air travel, Stelios created Stelmar, a shipping company which was floated on the New York Stock Exchange in 2001 and subsequently sold to a rival in 2005. Stelios received a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II for services to entrepreneurship. More recently, through the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation, he has expanded his dedication to making a difference to society by launching a number of philanthropic initiatives supporting entrepreneurship, higher education and environmental sustainability. [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Few are better qualified to talk about the power of the internet and how to make a successful on line enterprise than Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou. Talking candidly about the easyJet phenomenon, his presentations are filled with wonderful insights and inspirational ideas for budding entrepreneurs.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Stelios is a compelling and dynamic speaker – both in front of large audiences as well as smaller, targeted groups. [/expand]
Continue Reading »

Former CEO of Starbucks

Orin C. Smith was President and Chief Executive Officer of Starbucks Corporation from 2000 to 2005. He joined Starbucks as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in 1990, became President and Chief Operating Officer in 1994, and became a director of Starbucks in 1996. Mr. Smith has been a Director of The Walt Disney Company since 2006 and he has been a Director of Nike Inc. since September 20, 2004 and serves as a Member of its Audit Committee.

“Embracing diversity is not only the right thing to do socially or ethically, it’s good for business.”

[expand title=”In detail”] Prior to joining Starbucks, Mr. Smith spent a total of 14 years with Deloitte & Touche. He serves on the Advisory Board for the University of Washington School of Business, the University of Washington Medicine Board of Directors and the Board of Directors of Conservation International. He was also a Director of Oakley Sunglasses, Watches, Shoes, and Apparel from August 1995 until July 10, 2003. [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]As one of America’s most respected and successful corporate leaders, Orin C. Smith offers audiences valuable insights into the strategies which have made him so successful. He carefully explains in great detail the importance of strategic leadership and how to create a global brand[/expand]
Continue Reading »

‘Britain’s most consistently original, outrageous, controversial designer’

Vivienne Westwood has had an insatiable appetite for anarchic outrageousness. She has never lost her power to shock, and her continued innovations make her one of the most talked about fashion designers in the world.

Vivienne Westwood was born Vivienne Isabel Swire in Derbyshire. She moved to London when she was 17. She began designing in 1971, using the shop at 430 Kings Road, London as a showcase for her ideas. With her changing ideas of fashion came the change of not only the name of shop, but the entire decor as well. In 1971, 430 Kings Road was known as “Let it Rock”… 1950’s Rock n Roll clothing sold at a time when “hippies” were still in fashion. In 1972, the name was changed to “Too Fast to Live, Too Young to Die”. The shop had clothing for “Rockers” with zips and chains, and Zoot suits. By the mid 70’s, “Sex” was the shop’s new name. With 1976 came punk, followed by “World’s End” and the Pirate Collection.

[expand title=”In detail”] The Pirate Collection was shown in March 1981, her first catwalk show at Olympia in London. The following year, in March 1983, Westwood began to show in Paris, the first British Designer to do so since Mary Quant. In Autumn 1984, Westwood was invited to show her collection in Tokyo with Hanae Mori, Calvin Klein, Claude Montana and Gianfranco Ferre at the “Best of Five”.

In 1989 Mr John Fairchild, President of Fairchild Publications and Editor of the fashion bible “Women’s Wear Daily”, rated Westwood one of the best six designers in the world, and the only woman amongst them, in his book “Chic Savages”.

In July 1990, she showed her first complete menswear collection in conjunction with Pitti Uomo in Florence. In January 1991, Vivienne Westwood was chosen to show in Tokyo once again, this time with Christian Lacroix, Isaac Mizrahi and Franco Moschino at The Fashion Summit.

Vivienne Westwood has an OBE for her services to the British Fashion Industry and has just been awarded the Queen’s Award for Export[/expand]
Continue Reading »

Former Adviser to Mikhail Gorbachev

Alexander Likhotal served as adviser to Mikhail Gorbachev for many years and is currently the President and Chief Executive Officer of Geneva-based Green Cross International. He is a member of the International Council for the Earth Charter and Adviser to the Club of Madrid and has launched internationally acclaimed initiatives such as the Earth Dialogues Forum and has spearheaded Green Cross International’s global campaign for the Right to Water.

“The past has shown that new security threats would emerge in the form of global terrorism and that globalisation and our continued reliance on fossil fuels would raise the environmental stakes even higher”

[expand title=”In detail”] Prof. Likhotal was the Deputy Spokesman for the President of the USSR and has held a number of academic positions internationally specialising in European security and NATO. He was visiting professor at the Northeastern University, Boston, USA, Research Associate at the Institute of European Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences in Moscow and Associate Editor of Security Dialogue Journal, Oslo, Norway.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Having witnessed first hand the wide reaching effects of “glasnost” in Russia and the rapidly changing global political horizon, Professor Likhotal is ideally positioned to advise organisations around the world on the social, economic and political future of an increasingly climate conscious world. [/expand]
Continue Reading »

Author of ‘The Name of the Rose’ and Professor of Semiotics

Italian born Umberto Eco is a prolific author and essayist and has published numerous books and articles covering a wide range of subjects from Art and Beauty in the Middle Ages to Semiotics – the Science of Signs and Symbols. He reached ultimate fame when his book ‘The Name of the Rose’ was made into a blockbuster film.

A laureate graduate from Turin University in 1954 Umberto Eco was cultural programme editor for RAI – Italian Radio and Television – from 1954 to 1959. He joined the publishing house of Bompiano in Milan as senior non-fiction editor in 1959 and was with them until 1975. Since 1962 Umberto Eco has been a regular columnist for some of Italy’s leading newspapers such as Il Giorno, La Stampa, Corriere della Sera.

[expand title=”In detail”] Umberto Eco holds honorary doctorates from Universities in both Europe and the Americas and has lectured and given seminars in Universities and cultural institutions in Italy and throughout the world. He has collaborated with cultural organisations world wide. He has received many literary awards and decorations for his work including Cavaliere di Gran Croce al Merito of Italy (1996), Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur of France 1993 and Commandeur de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres of France (1985)[/expand]
Continue Reading »

Former Creative Director of Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent

Tom Ford was hired by Gucci’s creative director Dawn Mello in 1990 as chief women’s ready-to-wear designer and later appointed design director. When, in 1994, Gucci was acquired by a Bahrain-based investment firm called Investcorp, Tom was promoted to creative director and moved to Milan.

In his first year at the helm, he was credited with putting the glamour back into fashion introducing Halston-style velvet hipsters, skinny satin shirts and car-finish metallic patent boots. In 1995, he brought in French stylist Carine Roitfeld and photographer Mario Testino to create a series of new, modern ad campaigns for the company. By 1999, the house, which had been almost bankrupt when Tom joined, was valued at about $4.3 billion. In 2000, he was named Best International Designer at the first VH1/Vogue Awards in New York.

[expand title=”In detail”] Tom Ford has become arguably the most influential designer of the last decade. Having initially trained as an actor, he studied interior architecture at Parsons School of Design until 1986, and went on to take positions at Perry Ellis and Cathy Hardwick, before joining Gucci in 1990.[/expand]
Continue Reading »

Former Director of Communications & Strategy for Tony Blair

Alastair Campbell is a writer, communicator and strategist best known for his role as former British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s spokesman, press secretary and director of communications and strategy. Still active in Labour politics, he now splits his time between writing, speaking, charitable fundraising, politics and campaigns.

“Controversial, thought-provoking and highly entertaining.”

[expand title=”In detail”] After writing for Forum magazine Alastair joined the Mirror Group, where he became the Mirror’s chief political economist. He then worked as news editor for the Today newspaper. When Tony Blair became leader of the Labour Party he asked alastair to became his press secretary. For three years, he played a key role helping to create New Labour and return the Party to power. After the 1997 election he became the Prime Minister’s Chief Press Secretary and Official Spokesman during Labour’s first term. After helping New Labour win a second landslide election victory, he became Director of Communications and Strategy until 2003.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Drawing on his experience of ten years alongside Tony Blair, and his considerable understanding of the modern media, he specialises in strategy, making change, dealing with the media and crisis management – often at the same time.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]He is an engaging and innovative speaker able to apply his insights and experience to the work of others with wit and passion.[/expand]
Continue Reading »

Principal Marketer

Al Ries is a leading PR and marketing authority.

Chairman of Ries & Ries, he counts numerous global organisations among his clients.

PR Week named him as one of the 100 most influential public relations people of the 20th Century.

A learned and current authority, he shares his vision through his impressive collection of authoritative publications.

‘Start narrow then expand.’

Al Ries

[expand title=”In detail”] Since co-authoring a notorious series of articles on positioning, with Jack Trout, he has published various industry classics.

Following service in the US Army his marketing career began at General Electric. He progressed to Needham, Louis & Brorby and Martseller before starting his own advertising agency, Ries Cappiello Colwell[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]In a brand conscious world, he is supremely placed to advise you on strategies that transform products and services to market leaders.

Ripe for today’s market he reveals why a narrow focus is essential to owning a category in the consumers’ mind and the potential power of your Internet brand.[/expand]
Continue Reading »

First Woman to Summit Everest from North & South Sides and Leadership speaker

Cathy O Dowd is a winning explorer and raconteur. Not one to submit to adversity, she reached Everest’s peak from the south, despite facing the worst storm in the mountain’s history. She took on the challenge of the treacherous north side two years later, but her attempt ended when she stopped to try and save a dying climber. A year later she returned and succeeded in becoming the first woman to climb Everest from both the north and south sides.

The first woman to conquer both the north and south sides of Everest

[expand title=”In detail”] A former university lecturer with a Masters degree in Media Studies, she grew up in South Africa. Now based in Europe, she remains an active adventurer, from the heights of the Himalaya to the wilderness of the Arctic. In 2003 she attempted a new route up the notorious east face of Everest. [/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]Interweaving the literal climbing adventure and the symbolic challenge of peak performance, she evokes your sense of possibility. Spectacular images add to her poignant story, which will rouse you to approach challenges with renewed zeal and increased capabilities. Cathy’s great strength lies in combining her dramatic adventures with a coherent message to business. Her inspirational presentations entertain and motivate while reinforcing key principles of best business practise.[/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]Cathy is a fluent and passionate speaker, combining humour and drama, weaving a spell-binding story out of which she subtly draws her metaphors for achievement. All presentations are dramatically illustrated with photographs from the mountain. She is also part of our Top Women keynote speakers. [/expand]
Continue Reading »