The Leading Speakers Bureau

Ex-CEO of Jägermeister and Adviser for Entrepreneurs

Hasso Kaempfe is the ex-CEO of Jägermeister and adviser to entrepreneurs. He started as a speaker for Jägermeister and was then a member of the Board of Directors responsible for marketing, PR, production, human resources and law issues. He currently advises family companies, and is a senior adviser to the Swedish financial investors EQT. He also helps young entrepreneurs to be successful in the brand industry.

“One of Germany’s leading brand experts”

[expand title=”In detail”] Dr. Kaempfe started in 1982 as the in-house lawyer and later the chief legal adviser of Tchibo Holding AG. At the same time he was a lawyer for the court of Hamburg. In 1989 he was appointed member of the Board of Directors of Tchibo Frisch Röst Kaffee GmbH in Hamburg. Since 2004 he has been also member of the Board of Directors of Markenverbandes and until 2007 he was also a member of the Board of Directorsof Nord/LB inne.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Dr. Kaempfe’s extensive experience of managing in the most challenging circumstances and his experience in branding and strategies at the highest level make him ideally positioned to inspire today’s business leaders about strategic planning, effective leadership and branding.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]A distinguished speaker, Dr. Kaempfe is an excellent communicator, captivating audiences with his experiences and sharing his insight on effective branding and entrepreneurship. His presentations are always peppered with his characteristic humour.[/expand]
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Chairman Employee Engagement Task Force

David MacLeod is an engaging and down-to-earth speaker well known for his work on Employee Engagement and Motivation. He is currently Chair of the Task Force on Employee Engagement launched by the Prime Minister at Number 10 in March 2011. He has a portfolio of responsibilities which include being a Non-Executive Director of the Department for International Development, and of the Ministry of Justice.

“Employee engagement is when the business values the employee and the employee values the business”

[expand title=”In detail”] Early in his career, David was Head of Marketing for the Dulux brand, where market share was significantly enhanced through innovation, before going on to be Chief Executive of European and then Global businesses, during which time profitability was significantly improved. In 2001, David left industry to join the Cabinet Office as a Senior Advisor on Change and Performance. He advised on a range of significant Government initiatives in a number of major Departments of State. He has worked extensively at Permanent Secretary Level and with Private Sector Organisations on major programmes of organisation wide change.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]David takes an in-depth look at employee engagement and reports on its potential benefits for organisations and employees. He demonstrates its positive impact on UK competitiveness and performance both during the downturn and in powering through to recovery.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]David is a lively and inspiring speaker with a wealth of hands-on experience. He makes a powerful impact on audiences with his wisdom on employee engagement and retention.[/expand]
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Renowned Urban Planner, Author of City Comforts: How to Build an Urban Village

David Sucher is an observer of cities, a planner, a development professional, a lawyer and a respected author. He now develops neighbourhood-scale real estate, both residential and commercial and is currently working on a new book entitled ‘The Three Rules of Urban Design’. He gives a unique way of looking at and speaking about our immediate environment.

“An anti-ideas kind of guy”
David Sucher

[expand title=”In detail”] David Sucher studied at Columbia University, the University of Washington and the Seattle University Law School. He started his career as an urban planner for the City of Seattle, Washington, where he worked on issues surrounding electric rates, environmentally sensitive areas, design review, anti-discriminatory lending, and shoreline management. He was also a member of the Seattle Planning Commission for four years. [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]David Sucher provides informative and insightful presentations including what he believes are the Three Rules for quality urban design and other thoughts. He offers his observations on what it really takes to create a dynamic urban village, giving examples of small things that make urban life pleasant. He enthusiastically gives a series of modest, down-to-earth tips about how cities and towns can turn themselves into more agreeable places. No theory, no philosophy, no criticism – just practical observations about things that work and have shown their value.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]David Sucher’s enthralling and eye-opening presentations are greatly appreciated by architects, city planners, and land use developers amongst others.[/expand]
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Director of Urban Projects of the City of Barcelona

Josep Anton Acebillo is one of the most renowned Spanish architects. He was in charge of leading the main infrastructures projects for the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona and for some of the most important changes of Barcelona’s infrastructure. Under his leadership Barcelona gained worldwide recognition for its positioning in the international architecture scene. For his contribution to Barcelona’s transformation he has received the Honorific Medal of the City of Barcelona and the RIBA awards with the Royal Gold Medal for Architecture, amongst others.

“Josep Anton Acebillo is a foremost expert on urban transformation”

[expand title=”In detail”] In 1993 he founded Barcelona Regional, an agency for the strategic development of urban projects and infrastructure where he continues to be the CEO. In 2007 he founded the independent Switzerland based studio Architecture Urban Systems. Acebillo is currently a Professor at the Accademia di Architettura di Mendrisio in which he was Faculty Dean between 2003 and 2007 and where he heads the Institute for the Contemporary Urban Project since 2004. Prior to his he taught at several architecture schools, such as the Faculty of Yale, the Harvard Graduate School of Design, the Architecture School of the National University of Singapore and the International Architecture and Urban Design Laboratory.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Josep Anton Acebillo offers great insights into the transformation of one of the most visited cities in the world. He advises organisations and governments around the world on their urban transformation endeavours and assists them in finding the most appropriate strategies.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]His engaging and insightful presentations make Josep Anton Acebillo a sought after speaker at prestigious events worldwide. [/expand]
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Architect and Urbanist

Rem Koolhaas is a Dutch architect, architectural theorist, urbanist and Professor in the Practice of Architecture and Urban Design at the Graduate School of Design at Harvard University, USA. Currently he is heading the work of OMA as well as AMO – the conceptual branch of OMA, a think tank focused on social, economic, and technological issues.

“Rem Koolhaas is that rare combination of visionary and implementer — philosopher and pragmatist — theorist and prophet”

[expand title=”In detail”] Mr Koolhaas first studied scriptwriting at the Dutch Film Academy, and was then a journalist for the Haagse Post before starting studies, in 1968, in architecture at the Architectural Association School of Architecture in London, followed, in 1972, by further studies at Cornell University in New York. He has won several International Awards including the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2000, the Royal Gold Medal in 2004 and the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the 2010 Venice Biennale. [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]In his presentations Rem examines the relationship between built structures, human behaviour, commerce and culture. He offers a truly unique perspective which focuses on changing urban conditions around the world and the role of retail and consumption in contemporary society.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]A charming and unassuming speaker, Rem’s highly informative presentations are enthusiastically delivered.[/expand]
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Architect & Sustainable Design Expert

Michael Pawlyn was part of the core team of architects who worked on the design of The Eden Project. In 2006 Michael was appointed to represent Grimshaw as a Founder Member of the UK Green Building Council and in 2007 was elected as a committee member of ‘The Edge’, a think-tank dedicated to addressing important political, social and professional issues.

“Michael is one of the most passionate advocates of sustainable architecture”
Sir Michael Grimshaw

[expand title=”In detail”] In 1999 he was one of five winners in ‘A Car-free London’. In September 2003 he joined an intensive course in nature-inspired design at Schumacher College. He has lectured widely on the subject of sustainable design in the UK and abroad and has delivered a talk at the Royal Society of Arts. He has also delivered a talk at Google’s annual ‘Zeitgeist’ conference and at the Royal Geographical Society’s annual conference ‘Sustainability and Quality of Life’.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Michael offers audiences the benefit of his considerable expertise and shows organisations ways in which they can balance economic growth and help to maintain a healthy environment.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]A charismatic and engaging speaker, Michael’s presentations are immaculately prepared and filled with far-reaching insights.[/expand]
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Former President of Goldman Sachs

John Thornton is Professor and Director of Global Leadership at Tsinghua University in Beijing. He is a former President and Co-COO of Goldman Sachs. In 1983, Thornton founded and developed Goldman Sachs’ European mergers and acquisitions business. He served as co-CEO of Goldman Sachs International in London from 1995 to 1996 and was Chairman of Goldman Sachs Asia from 1996 to 1998. Mr Thornton is a director of Intel, Pacific Century Group, Ford Motor Company, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China and News Corporation. He is also Chairman of the Board of The Brookings Institution.

“If I can contribute to the way China evolves and how that relates to the outside world and the US, that would be a good thing”

[expand title=”In detail”] Mr Thornton earned a bachelor’s degree from Harvard College, bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Oxford University, and a master’s degree from Yale School of Management. Mr. Thornton joined Goldman Sachs in 1980 in the Mergers Department. He became a partner in 1988 and co-chief executive officer of Goldman Sachs International in 1995. He was named president and co-chief operating officer of Goldman Sachs in 1999.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]In his presentations John Thornton explains his decision to leave Wall Street and teach the Chinese elite at Tsinghua University in Beijing. He also offers audiences an insider’s view of the future of China and the vast opportunities that Asia presents to companies wishing to expand their international operations.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]An accomplished teacher, Mr Thornton’s invigorating presentations are immaculately prepared and tailored to fit individual client’s needs.[/expand]
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Expert on Risk Management, Financial Derivatives, Capital Markets

Satyajit Das is an international specialist in the area of financial derivatives, risk management and capital markets with a global reputation. He was featured in Charles Ferguson’s 2010 Oscar winning documentary Inside Job and a 2009 BBC TV documentary – Tricks with Risk. He is a frequent interviewee and widely quoted in the financial press worldwide and one of the most requested keynote speakers.

“An International Financial Expert”

[expand title=”In detail”] Satyajit Das has worked in financial markets for over 30 years. He anticipated many aspects of the global financial crisis in his 2006 book Traders, Guns & Money: Knowns and Unknowns in the Dazzling World of Derivatives. Since 1994, he has acted as a consultant to financial institutions and corporations. Between 1977 and 1994, Satyajit worked on the ‘sell side’ (Commonwealth Bank of Australia, CitiGroup and Merrill Lynch) and the ‘buy side’ (TNT Group, an Australian based international transport and logistics company).[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Satyajit Das is an experienced public speaker and recognised for his capacity to communicate complex financial subjects and trends in simple and non-technical language.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Satyajit’s speaking style coupled with an incisive understanding and enlightened capacity to explain and discuss global issues has contributed to his high popularity and reputation. He is also part of our Most Popular keynote speakers list[/expand]
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India’s Legendary Cricketer

Kapil Dev is a former Indian cricket player. He has been described as the greatest pace bowler India has produced and their greatest fast-bowling all-rounder. He captained India to Cricket World Cup victory in 1983 and holds the record for the most Test match wickets between 1994 and 1999. His contribution to Indian cricket is so immense that the Wisden magazine named him the Indian Cricketer of the Century.

“One of the most prolific cricket all-rounders”

[expand title=”In detail”] Kapil holds many Indian and world records. But what really made him unique was his uncomplicated approach to the game whether batting, bowling, fielding or captaining. He blended this approach with immense determination, pride and courage. This combination made him the first true superstar of Indian cricket. In 2007, Kapil joined the breakaway Indian Cricket League, which led to his removal from the NCA. Now he is a bowling consultant and served as chairman of National Cricket Academy for two years. Kapil was also India’s national cricket coach between 1999 2000.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Kapil is in great demand on the corporate circuit where his skills as a motivational and after dinner speaker are highly valued. [/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Charismatic and highly motivating, Kapil’s presentations are filled with anecdotes from his cricket career.[/expand]
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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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