The Leading Speakers Bureau

Former CEO of Garanti Bank

Y. Akın Öngör is a graduate of Middle East Technical University, Faculty of Business Administration. He started his career as marketing executive in different industrial companies.Mr. Öngör joined the banking sector in 1981 as a top executive.

[expand title=”In detail”] In 1987, Mr. Öngör was appointed as Executive Vice President, Responsible for Marketing and External Relations in the Corporate and Commercial Banking Department of Garanti Bank. Between 1991-2000 he served as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Garanti Bank. In 1999, Mr. Öngör received the “Distinguished Services for Outstanding Contribution to Turkey and the University” Award from Middle East Technical University. Until 2002, he served as Executive Director in the Board of Garanti Bank. During the same period Mr. Öngör was also Chairman of the Board of Directors of Garanti Bank International, Garanti Bank Moscow, Garanti Insurance Company and Garanti Technology.

After his retirement from professional life, Mr. Öngör established a wine production facility in his vineyard in Akhisar, producing Chateau style wines under his “Selendi” brand. He also published two books: “ia orana” covering his memories during his sailing in the Pacific Ocean; and “Benden Sonra Devam” detailing successful transformation of Garanti Bank.

Mr. Akın Öngör is the Member of the Board of Trustees of WWF-Turkey. Other memberships include: Trustee – Bosphorus University Foundation; Trustee – WWF-Turkey and Trustee – TED Istanbul College[/expand]
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The First Spanish Woman to Summit Everest

Araceli Segara is a model, television and radio presenter, a mountaineer and star of the IMAX film “Everest”. She is probably best known as the first Spanish woman to stand on the summit of Everest, and for the numerous climbing expeditions she has organised. In the spring of 2007 Araceli will be going back to Everest with the IMAX team to film a new documentary called ‘Return to Everest’.

“Spain’s most famous mountaineer”

[expand title=”In detail”] Araceli began her prestigious career as one of the world’s leading female climbers at the tender age of twenty years, when she successfully climbed Mount Kenya, the highest peak on the African continent. Just one year later she organised and played a leading role in her first major expedition to the Himalaya. But her real breakthrough came in 1996 when as part of the Catalan Everest North Face Expedition Team Araceli stood on top of the world.[/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]The multi-faceted, charming and charismatic Araceli is in great demand as a speaker at leading conferences around the globe. She talks in depth about her climbing experiences and inspires audiences with her fantastic stories.[/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]Both an experienced media personality and conference presenter Araceli’s presentations are highly enjoyable and backed up with dramatic and awe-inspiring images from her expeditions.[/expand]
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Award Winning Television Journalist; Chief News Correspondent for BBC TV

Kate Adie is the award winning journalist. Kate became the BBC’s Chief News Correspondent in 1989. Since then she has covered major international crises, including the Gulf War, conflicts in former Yugoslavia and events in the Gulf, Armenia, Albania, Rwanda, Kosovo, China and Sierra Leone. Kate won awards for her coverage of Northern Ireland, the American bombing of Tripoli and the student uprising in China in 1989 and in 1993 was awarded an OBE.

“One of the best known female war correspondents of recent times”

[expand title=”In detail”] Kate’s broadcasting career with BBC started in 1968 when she joined local radio in Durham as a studio technician. She moved to BBC Radio Bristol in 1970 as a producer specialising in farming and arts programmes before joining TV outside broadcasts to direct sport and religious programmes. She joined BBC TV News in 1979 from BBC regional TV, having been a reporter in Plymouth, Southampton and Brighton. She covered general news stories for the network, including many overseas and spent two years as Court Correspondent.[/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]Kate uses her considerable experience to entertain and educate decision makers from all fields with her insight into world events many of which she has witnessed firsthand.[/expand]

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A well known face to television viewers, Kate is an experienced speaker and continues to be in great demand at prestigious events world-wide.[/expand]
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Leading Authority on Multi-Cultural Issues

Philip Merry is currently director of the Singapore based Philip Merry Consulting Group, specialising in building partnerships across cultures. PMCG is the only consulting firm in the world to represent and combine the work of culture and team gurus Charles Hampden-Turner, Fons Trompenaars and Meredith Belbin.

With 30 years experience in training and consulting (the last 15 years living and working in Asia), Philip shows decision makers the secrets behind building partnerships, developing businesses and increasing prosperity across cultures. He specialises in helping global organisations to develop multi-cultural teams and improve cross-cultural leadership skills.

[expand title=”In detail”] One time London taxi driver, Philip holds a degree from Manchester University and 3 post graduate degrees in Counselling, Social Science and Self Managed Learning. He has extensive experience in professional counselling and group dynamics – his original training was as a family therapist in London where he practiced for 8 years

He has worked in a variety of business environments in the last 30 years including Organisational Development Manager with Reuters Asia, Assistant Director of Management Studies at Roffey Park Management Centre UK, Leadership Training Manager with the Sri Lankan Government, Field Director with the British Volunteer Programme in the Maldives and Training Manager with local government in London.

He is currently a Visiting Fellow at Bristol University and has taught at the East West Centre – University of Hawaii, NTU, NUS and is Lecturer on Strategic Alliances at the Melbourne Institute of Technology MBA. In recent years he has held workshops with Asian, European and US clients from the chemical, telecom, banking, internet, manufacturing, automobile, medical, aeronautic and government sectors.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Philip Merry is highly sought-after as a speaker by corporations eager to tap into his wealth of experience in dealing with the perennial problems of complex cross-cultural issues. His presentations are highly informative and have helped numerous of organisations to achieve world class business performance and long term success.[/expand]
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Expert in Branding, Marketing & Sponsorship

Carsten Buhl is a senior marketing professional, with 18 years of international FMCG marketing and sales experience. He currently serves as a Member of the Supervisory Board of Carlsberg Breweries and as the Senior Manager in charge of executing all UEFA related sponsorships. Previously he was in charge of all sponsorship for the UEFA EURO 2008 and EURO 2012 projects as well as heading the UEFA Cup and Super Cup for 3 editions.

“Building your brand on consumer passion is the unequaled best driver for commercial success”

[expand title=”In detail”] Carsten joined Carlsberg Group Companies in 1993 and has since been involved in a variety of projects for the Group. He has worked and lived in Italy, Spain, Portugal, Malaysia, Poland and Switzerland. Carlsberg is among the world’s top football sponsors having been involved for more than 20 years with clubs like Liverpool, Arsenal and in tournaments like the EURO Cup, the UEFA Cup and the UEFA Super Cup.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]In his presentations he carefully explains to audiences how to drive sales growth by delivering a high quality innovative toolbox of activation opportunities to markets and unprecedented excellence in on-site sponsorship execution.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Carsten’s speeches are very interactive, he wakes people up, forces interaction, provokes and asks questions – he gives actionable answers and recommendations on the spot. Films and live examples are often part in what he presents.[/expand]
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Renowned Body Language Expert

Robert Phipps is one of the UK’s best known body language experts and has given his commentary and analysis of all the major news stories and party political leaders since 2002. Robert was the resident expert on the Trisha Goddard Show for more than eight years with well over 100 appearances whilst also working for several years as guest analyst on Big Brother’s Little Brother.He has written and commented for almost every national newspaper and magazine in the UK and has contributed to many specific journals.

“Body language – it’s what you don’t say that matters”

[expand title=”In detail”] Robert has worked on a wide range of projects with the Lone Workers Safety Conference, LA Childrens Hospital, Global Tolerance, Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors, the Society of Occupational Medicine and the Institute of Business Advisors to name a few.His work has been featured on BBC Radio 4’s In Businessand was part of BBCs team for their prime time Rogue Traders show and is regularly called upon to comment on political events for many of the BBC’s radio and news broadcasts.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Robert shares with audiences his insights on how to read the body language of others and shares the secrets of master communicators. He offers a unique opportunity to learn how to make your body language work for you in social situations, business dealings and all manner of other everyday encounters.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]A renowned platform speaker and trainer Robert’s presentations are inspirational and entertaining making him a popular choice at events worldwide. [/expand]
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Record Breaking Eleventh Everest Summiteer & One of the World’s Greatest High Altitude Guides

Kenton Cool is one of the world’s leading alpine climbers with 11 Everest Summits under his belt amongst other incredible feats of human achievement. He is Britain’s most successful Everest mountaineer and the second-most successful Western Mountaineer of all-time on Everest. In his latest expedition, May 2013 Ken has summited the three mountains of the Everest horseshoe – Everest (8,848m), Nuptse (7,861m) & Lhotse (8,516m) in one climb – completing the ultimate ‘Three Peaks’ challenge, becoming the first Mountaineer to summit the three mountains of the Western Cwm in one continuous climb. Kenton claimed an historic three peaks record for Britain in Everest’s 60th anniversary year.

“The Best Mountain Guide in the World” Sir Ranulph Fiennes Bt OBE

[expand title=”In detail”] In 2012 Kenton fulfilled the Samsung Olympic Games Pledge by taking an Olympic Gold medal awarded to the 1922 Everest Expedition at the 1924 Winter Olympics by Baron Pierre de Coubertin, to the top of Mount Everest, thus fulfilling a 90 year old Pledge to see one of the medals successfully reach the summit. In 2011 Kenton became the focus of the world’s media after proving that 3G was now accessible on the summit of Mount Everest. He then went on to enter the record books for sending the first and only Tweet from the summit and making many lists of the most epic tweets of all time.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]In his presentations Kenton explores the direct comparisons between summit expeditions and business, focusing on the themes of teambuilding, leadership, motivation and facing personal fears in adverse situations. His years in the mountains have taught him how to face and overcome challenges, whilst bringing out the best in those around him. [/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Kenton is an experienced motivational speaker who delivers popular keynote speeches about his passion for his sport. His presentations are entertaining, high energy and filled with humour, yet press some serious points. Each session is complemented with an awe-inspiring collection of photographs and video footage from his expeditions around the world.[/expand]
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Lean & System Thinking Expert

KeivanZokaei is a lean and system thinking expert, management consultant and well published author.He is currently the Head of Lean and Green Practice at SA Partners. Keivan has years of experience at the cutting edge of leanthinking specialising in operations management and supply chain optimisation.Previously Keivan was a Director at the Lean Enterprise Research Centre and before that he was a Manager in the Oil & Gas

“Things that are good for the planet are also good for business”

[expand title=”In detail”] Keivan has also been an advisor to the Auditor General in Wales on how to improve public services and has advised different European governments on the principles of lean and systems thinking as well as publishing a number of key reports commissioned by governmental or industrial bodies. He is a regular speaker at different international conferences and engages with both lean professionals and general business executives through public media including appearances on BBC.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Keivan draws from his vast expertise and in-depth experience in the area of environmental issues and sustainable development. He is a leading expert in showing decision makers how to make their businesses more sustainable.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]A sought-after speaker at international events,Keivan’s messages are powerful and effective, delivered in his personal, yet highly professional style.[/expand]
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Leading Edge Strategist & Bestselling Author

Jeff Thull is a leading-edge strategist and valued advisor for executive teams of major companies worldwide. As President and CEO of Prime Resource Group, he has designed and implemented business transformation and professional development programs for companies like Shell, Siemens, HP, Honeywell, 3M, Microsoft, Siemens, Citicorp, IBM, Raymond James, and Georgia-Pacific, as well as many fast-track, start-up companies.

“Jeff motivates people to take action and lets them have fun doing it.”

[expand title=”In detail”] Jeff has gained the reputation for being a thought-leader in the arena of sales and marketing strategies for companies involved in complex sales. He is the author of the best-selling books ‘Mastering the Complex Sale: How to Compete and Win When the Stakes are High’, ‘The Prime Solution: Close the Value Gap, Increase Margins’, and ‘Win the Complex Sale’, and his latest release… ‘Exceptional Selling: How the Best Connect and Win in High Stakes Sales’. Jeff is also a columnist with Inc.com and his articles are published in hundreds of business and trade publications.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Jeff motivates people to take action and lets them have fun doing it. He combines the best of street-smart selling and strategy execution, with the best of university-level learning.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Jeff is a compelling, entertaining and thought-provoking keynote speaker who has delivers speeches and seminars to corporations and professional associations worldwide.[/expand]
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Pioneer in the Field of Visual Programming, Computer Scientist, Composer, Visual Artist & Author

Jaron Lanier is many things — composer, performer, computer scientist, philosopher — but one thing he is not is a machine. He is probably best known for his work in Virtual Reality having himself coined and popularized the term ‘Virtual Reality’. He has proposed and implemented a variety of technologies that have since spawned industries in their own right. He is also a pianist, a specialist in unusual musical instruments and a visual artist.

“Jaron Lanier is a recognised thinker, listed in The 2010 TIME 100”

[expand title=”In detail”] Among Jaron Lanier’s line-up of “firsts” are the first “avatar” for network communications, the first moving camera virtual set for TV production and the first performance animation for 3D computer graphics. His company, VPL Research, was also the first to introduce immersive virtual reality products, such as the first commercial interface gloves and head mounted displays. The founding contributing editor of Wired magazine, he has written for the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Harpers Magazine, Wired Magazine and Scientific American. He is currently the co-director of Project GUMBO, based on Caltech. He has edited special “future” issues of SPIN and Civilization magazines. He has served in various research groups concerned with the future and has been appointed a fellow at Cap Gemini/Ernst & Young, the World Economic Forum and the MacArthur Foundation Roundtables.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]With an expertise earned through decades of work in the field, Jaron Lanier challenges us to express our essential humanity via 21st century technology instead of disappearing in it. As he has either initiated or predicted many of the most dramatic recent developments in IT, his keynotes have the quality of a sneak preview of the future. [/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Jaron Lanier is often described as “mesmerising” and “one of the best speakers we have ever heard”. He brings humour and depth to his presentations and, on request, intersperses them with virtual reality music performances.[/expand]
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