The Leading Speakers Bureau

International Design Manager

Alberto Alessi has been described as the ‘godfather of Italian product design’.

Now Managing Director of Alessi Spa, using his entrepreneurial flair he has successfully explored the frontiers of design and technology. As a result, he has repositioned the company as a design leader partnering world class designers.

Deservedly, his risk management skills are sought by prominent technology and design led organisations around the world.

More and more people are buying objects for intellectual and spiritual nourishment.”
Alberto Alessi

[expand title=”In detail”] In its third generation Alessi took the company helm in 1970 and has radically extended the product offering from the fundamental household and trade fare to include innovative yet practical products.Not surprisingly, he received the MBA Design Award for Lifetime Achievement from the Brooklyn Museum, New York. He also holds a number of honorary titles from various academic institutions.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Exploring the often fine line between opposing forces – like success and failure – he tempts you into a new world of possibilities. Based on the Alessi story he shows you how stretching your approach to embrace the borderline between traditional and avant-garde thinking you can increase your potential.Exploring the often fine line between opposing forces – like success and failure – he tempts you into a new world of possibilities.
Based on the Alessi story he shows you how stretching your approach to embrace the borderline between traditional and avant-garde thinking you can increase your potential.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Stylish by name, nature and profession this distinct personality will lift your spirit.[/expand]
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Expert on Corporate Strategy and the Learning Organization

Arie de Geus is widely recognised as the originator of many of the principles and practises underlying the “Learning Organisation” concept, and is one of the world’s most effective business strategists. He spent 38 years on three continents helping to lead Royal Dutch Shell through tumultuous times in the oil industry. After a remarkable career in scenario planning and organisational learning, Mr de Geus now helps organisations of all kinds reorganise and prepare for where their futures lead.

‘A global statesman of business change’

[expand title=”In detail”] Today, Mr de Geus continues to work closely with Peter Senge and SoL (the Society for Organizational Learning). He is also involved with the London School of Economics, has been a Visiting Fellow at London Business School and has advised many government and private institutions. He is a founder member of SoL (the Society for Organizational Learning) and of GBN (the Global Business Network).[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Mr de Geus’ extraordinary experience and his strategic thinking and research have given him a depth of content that matches his style and has made him one of the most sought-after speakers in the world. He talks authentically about what he himself has lived through and he applies the lessons of the past to today’s business issues with relevance and verve.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]A master storyteller, Mr de Geus uses business parables to give audiences messages that stay with them long after the event has finished. [/expand]
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Practitioner, Scientific Advisor, Technology Intelligence Expert

Prof. Andrea Aparo is a practitioner, scientific advisor and technology intelligence expert.

Having joined Finmeccanica Spa., the major Italian Aerospace and Defence Industrial Group, in 2002 he currently holds the position of Scientific Advisor and Responsible for Technology Intelligence.

From 1999 to 2000, he was Assistant to Professor Ferrante Pierantoni, Board Member of AIPA, the Information Technology Authority of the Italian Prime Minister’s Office.

“A leader in technology”

[expand title=”In detail”] Andrea Aparo holds a Doctorate degree “summa cum laude” in Physics. He started work in experimental physics and then became a researcher at the International Patent Office in Den Haag, Netherlands. In 1995, he founded com.e srl, an Internet company based in Rome. In 1999 he was appointed Director General of the City of Barletta, Italy. Since 1973, Andrea has edited and written science articles and books published by numerous newspapers and magazines. From 1998 to 1999 he was Executive Coordinator at the World Economic Forum in Geneva, Switzerland.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Andrea Aparo offers vast experience in the technological sector and has taught/lectured in high schools, academic institutions, private companies in Italy and abroad. He is in an enviable position of being able to explain to worldwide audiences the far reaching ramifications of new developments of key technologies, showing the complex ways in which they will interact, and explore the economic, political, social and ethical challenges they bring.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Highly engaging and fluid, his style is nonetheless very well punctuated allowing time to absorb his powerful messages. He is a stimulating and engaging speaker whose qualities are endorsed by his international audiences.[/expand]
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Former Formula One World Champion

Four times Formula One World Champion, Alain Prost is without doubt one of the most successful Grand Prix drivers of the modern era. Until Michael Schumacher re-wrote the history books in 2001, Alain held the record for most Grand Prix victories, with 51, he also claimed 42 fastest laps, 106 podiums and 798.5 points during his illustrious time in Formula One.

“Four times Formula One World Champion”

[expand title=”In detail”] Born in France in 1955, Alain Prost began competitive car racing in 1976 competing in Formula Renault. He quickly ascended through the ranks and made his Formula One debut in 1980 with McLaren. A move to the Renault team the following year would see Alain grace the top step of the podium for the first time at his home Grand Prix in Dijon. After his move to Ferrari, Alain claimed Ferrari’s 100th Grand Prix victory in France in 1990 and went on to score 5 victories for the famous Italian marque and end the season as runner-up behind Senna. After a frustrating year in 1991 and a sabbatical season in 1992, Alain made a welcome return to Formula One in 1993 partnering Damon Hill in the Williams F1 team.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Drawing from his experiences as a Formula One driver and successful businessman, Alain entertains audiences with presentations in which he demonstrates the importance of motivation and team collaboration which results in success.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Alain is a fascinating personality with a truly inspiring motor racing career behind him; his continuing success and drive make him an enthralling and highly sought-after speaker around the world.[/expand]
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Former CEO of Ferrari in North America

Gian Luigi Longinotti-Buitoni is currently the CEO of Goal.com a new Media company, providing the best international football coverage on the web and mobile.

He has led some of the world’s most prestigious consumer products companies and has a remarkable ability to transform products like Ferrari into irresistible brands.

“He is a charismatic personality, and socially at home with any group of people”
MIT

[expand title=”In detail”] He is well known for his great success at Ferrari North America, where he was CEO from 1992 to 2000. During that time Ferrari sales in North America increased by 80%. He saw Ferrari as “the ultimate factory of dreams” and after a far-ranging analysis of high-end marketing and business trends, he developed the concept of “DreamMarketing.” Prior to joining Ferrari, he was an executive in his family’s European company, Industrie Buitoni Perugina (makers of Buitoni brand foods and Perugina luxury chocolates).

He was also CEO of Polo Europe, a division of Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation form 2000 to 2003. He was appointed for his broad base of experience in luxury goods and branded products.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]he art of successful “DreamMarketing” is the wave of the future to sustain and maintain customer loyalty. Gian Luigi Longinotti-Buitoni teaches audiences how to tap into those dreams to make them successful realities in business and in life.

His comprehensive international perspective, allows him to show companies how to accelerate their growth.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Gian Luigi is a charismatic speaker who delivers compelling presentations.[/expand]
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Creative Entrepreneur

Lapo Elkann is the grandson of Gianni Agnelli. Together with his brother and sister he is the majority shareholder of the private parent company controlling Fiat Group. In 2007, he launched his own company, Italia Independent which creates unique objects, clothing and accessories. Prior to that he was in charge of Worldwide Brand Promotion for Fiat Group. In 2001, he was Dr. Henry Kissinger’s Personal Assistant.

“To be independent means to write your own story everyday”

[expand title=”In detail”] Having previously worked for Ferrari and Maserati in the Marketing Departments, Lapo moved to Fiat Auto S.p.a. in 2003, where he was in charge of the Fiat Europe Operative Marketing. Whilst in charge of Worldwide Brand Promotion for Fiat Group, he succeeded in winning back the attention of long gone younger clients bringing them to perceive Fiat as a “buddy brand” and “love mark”. He was in charge of the launch of Fiat Punto and has been involved in promoting the relaunch of the Iconic Fiat 500 Car. [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Lauded in fashion for not only inheriting his grandfather’s great sense of style, Lapo has proven to be a visionary and dynamic entrepreneur creating his own companies. Based on his success with Fiat winning back the attention of the younger generation and the launch of the Fiat Punto he can demonstrate true entre-preneurial spirit and the importance of innovative marketing and branding.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Lapo Elkann is an enigmatic, inspiring and versatile speaker who is highly sought after by clients eager to hear first hand the fascinating secrets of his success.[/expand]
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Leading Expert on Economic, Social, Political Issues

Carlo Ungaro is an Italian ambassador and retired Diplomatic Officer who has served in a variety of postings in Africa, Asia and Europe. From 2005 to 2007 he was the political adviser to the Italian contingent of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in Herat, Afghanistan and served as head of the Italian Diplomatic Delegation to Somalia. Ungaro has published a book of short stories ‘Il Manuale del Perfetto Diplomatico’ and, recently an article in the International Herald Tribune on Afghanistan.

“A renowned and respected expert on economy and politics”

[expand title=”In detail”] During his five-year-stay in the Balkans, Carlo Ungaro opened the Headquarter of the European Community Monitoring Mission in Croatia. In Albania he served as diplomatic advisor to the Italian led multilateral military contingent, and then, with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in Croatia and, finally as head of the OSCE Spillover Mission in Skopje. He was also Counselor in Kuala Lumpur, Consul General in Rotterdam, and served as a junior diplomat in Kinshasa, and as Vice Consul in Bedford (England).[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Carlo Ungaro has a wide experience as consultant in issues such as social, political and economic developments in Central Asia and the Balkans, also in the light of gender issues and protection of ethnic minorities.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Carlo Ungaro is an engaging and insightful communicator. His presentations are an in depth analysis of economic, political and social issues masterfully delivered for audiences around the globe.[/expand]
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Leading Expert on the Future of Organisations & Leadership

Margaret Wheatley writes, teaches, and speaks about radically new practices and ideas for organising in chaotic times. She works to create organisations where people are known as the blessing, not the problem. She is president of The Berkana Institute, a charitable global leadership foundation serving life-affirming leaders and has been an organisational consultant for many years, as well as a professor of management in two graduate programmes.

Meg Wheatley has given the world a new way of thinking about organisations with her revolutionary application of the natural sciences to business management”.

[expand title=”In detail”] Margaret Wheatley holds an M.A. in Communications and Systems Thinking from New York University. She has been a research associate at Yale University, a fellow of the World Business Academy and an Associate Professor of Management at the Marriott School of Management, Brigham Young University, and Cambridge College, Massachusetts.[/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]Margaret is a recognised expert at helping organisations who are wrestling with a common dilema — how to maintain their integrity and effectiveness as they cope with relentless pressures for speed and change in chaotic environments. She provides new insights into the nature of how people interact and shows companies exactly how to create stronger leaders and build better organisations.[/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]An outstanding communicator and stimulating speaker, Margaret addresses the most critical questions in today’s increasingly volatile business environment as she enlightens and challenges audiences around the globe. [/expand]
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General Counsel and Senior Vice President, Legal and Government Affairs at Apple

Bruce Sewell is highly successful lawyer who specialises in global business development, international competition and intellectual property. He is currently the General Counsel and Senior Vice President, Legal and Government Affairs at Apple. He was previously Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Intel Corporation where he supervised a team of roughly 600 attorneys and policy professionals located in over 30 countries around the world. He was recently profiled in Fortune and is also a regular contributor for the Wall Street Journal.

“One of the 100 Most Influential Lawyers” California Lawyer magazine and the legal Daily Journal (2006)

[expand title=”In detail”] Mr Sewell joined Intel in 1995 as a senior attorney assigned to counsel various business groups in areas such as antitrust compliance, licensing, and intellectual property. In 2001, he was promoted to vice president and deputy general counsel. In that role he managed Intel’s litigation portfolio, and handled corporate transactions, including M&A activities. He took over as only the third general counsel in Intel’s history in November 2004 and was appointed Senior Vice President in 2005.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Dynamic and focused Bruce Sewell offers audiences valuable insights into the intricate world of corporate responsibility. He also uses his considerable expertise to explain in plain English the legal complexities of intellectual property rights and the ins and outs of international competition issues. He shows organisations how to create and retain wealth in today’s innovation economies.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Mr Sewell enjoys using new media (audio and video) in his engaging presentations and dots the landscape with interesting visual aids.[/expand]
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The Former Chairman of Granada, Allied Domecq

Sir Gerry Robinson is a British businessman and is the former (non-executive) Chairman of Allied Domecq and the ex-Chairman/Chief Executive of Granada. He also served as chairman of the Arts Council England for several years. In January 2007 he presented a three part series Can Gerry Robinson Fix the NHS? following on from the acclaimed BBC series I’ll Show Them Who’s Boss.

“Top Management Guru” The Telegraph

[expand title=”In detail”] Sir Gerry began a career in accounting aged 17 in 1965, and climbed the ranks to become the head of Granada. He steered the company through various mergers, and hostile takeovers including London Weekend Television (1993), the Forte Hotels chain (1996) and an unsuccessful attempt at acquiring Rentokil Initial in 2005.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Gerry Robinson is a subtle psychologist with a sharp eye for the necessities of successful business building. In his engaging presentations he highlights key leadership and managing skills in a clear and concise way and offers audiences the tools necessary to create and implement successful strategies.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Sir Gerry exudes warmth and good humour, but there is no doubt that this is allied to a fierce sense of discipline and resolve that forms the core of his management technique.[/expand]

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