The Leading Speakers Bureau

Former Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)

Meleveetil Damodaran is currently an independent management consultant from India and a board member of Mahindra Satyam. He is Non-Executive Independent Director of Sobha Developers with effect from 2010. India’s securities markets gain world wide respectability for its regulatory standards.

“He was awarded the ET Policy Change Agent of the year Award and Rotary Award for professional excellence”

[expand title=”In detail”] Damodaran holds degrees in Economics and Law from the Universities of Madras and Delhi. He has over 30 years of experience in financial services and public sector enterprises. He is the former Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), the country’s financial regulator, before which he had headed the IDBI Bank and helped in its innovative restructuring. He was instrumental in turning around Unit Trust of India. He was officer on special duty with the Reserve Bank of India dealing primarily with the restructuring of 3 identified weak public sector banks. He was elected Chairman IOSCO and has won several awards for Leadership, Governance, and Public Service.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]As a speaker he is in great demand having delivered several prestigious memorial lectures and convocation addresses. His areas of expertise include Financial Management, Securities Markets, Corporate Governance, Public Administration and Leadership.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]His speaking style coupled with an incisive understanding and enlightened capacity to explain and discuss financial and global issues has contributed to his high popularity and reputation.[/expand]
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Founder and Director of CSR International

Wayne Visser is the Founder and Director of the think-tank CSR International and author of twelve books. In addition, he is Senior Associate at the University of Cambridge Programme for Sustainability Leadership, Visiting Professor of Sustainability at Magna Carta College, Oxford and Adjunct Professor of CSR at La Trobe Graduate School of Management, Australia. In 2011, he was listed in the Top 100 Global Sustain Ability Leaders and the Top 100 Thought Leaders in Europe & the Middle East 2011.

“Leadership is the ability to inspire individuals to act for the common good”

[expand title=”In detail”] Wayne’s professional life began as a strategy analyst with CAP Gemini in Johannesburg and he was subsequently responsible for setting up and co-ordinating the activities of SANE (The South African New Economics) to promote a socially just and environmentally sustainable economy in South Africa. Before completing his PhD in Corporate Social Responsibility, he was Director of Sustainability Services for KPMG. His other qualifications include an MSc in Human Ecology from Edinburgh University and a Bachelor of Business Science in Marketing from Cape Town University.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Wayne Visser provides organisations around the globe with invaluable insights into corporate sustainability. He is able to offer high content professional presentations, academic lectures and tailored workshops to audiences from all sectors.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]He is a captivating keynote speaker on sustainability and corporate social responsibility issues who motivates and inspires audiences worldwide.[/expand]
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CRM & e-commerce Strategist

Cor Molenaar is a Strategic Consultant, specialised in the development of e-commerce strategies and Customer Relationship Management (CRM). Through his firm eXQuo Consultancy he advises organisations on the commercial application of Internet and CRM. He is a professor for the chair of E-Marketing at the Business Administration faculty of the Erasmus University in Rotterdam.

Awarded The Netherlands Direct Marketer of The Year Award in 1994

[expand title=”In detail”] Cor Molenaar completed several studies in the field of economics, marketing and information technology. In 1992 he completed a Masters in Change Management from the Free University in Amsterdam, and presented a highly informative paper on the Application of Information Technology in Marketing in 1997. An experienced force in marketing, Cor founded Ogilvy and Mather Dataconsulting and was instrumental in creating the Flying Dutchman air-miles campaign for KLM airlines. He is a leader in his field: the tension between sociology, technology and marketing. He is not only conducting academical research on this matter, but also advising companies.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Cor Molenaar puts people in the centre of all the changes that are occurring in society and companies. He brings a unique blend of vision, education and corporate expertise to customer focused business. His work is recognised not only on the business front, but in academia and research as well. He has a proven track record in helping companies to develop valuable customer relationships and an astute understanding of the top management perspective. All of his presentations are tailored to the needs of the client.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Cor Molenaar is a dynamic speaker, a brilliant strategist, and brings tremendous know-how with his impressive presentations. With enthusiasm, involvement and filled with humour and skill, he takes audiences along on a journey to the new world, sketching future developments in a practical manner.[/expand]
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Professor of Mechanical Engineering at UC Berkeley ; The Man Behind the “Bionic Chip”

Leading a team of scientists, who believe they have discovered what they call a “bionic chip”, Professor Rubinsky joined University California, Berkeley in 1997 and currently holds the post of Chancellor’s Professor.

“The “bionic chip” is a key discovery because it is the first step to building complex circuitry incorporating a living cell” says Mr Rubinsky who created the device. Applications for the bionic chip are varied and potentially include new ways to treat genetic diseases such as cystic fibrosis or diabetes, safer methods to test new pharmaceuticals for side effects and more complex bionic electronic circuitry.

[expand title=”In detail”] As Rubinsky says “The first electronic diode made it possible to have the computer. Who knows what the first biological dioxide will make possible?” The first commercial applications could begin within the year.

Professor Rubinsky’s other fields of research span heat and mass transfer in bio-engineering cryobiology, bio-engineering, heat transfer and material processing.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Graduating from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1980, Professor Rubinsky has held several posts in various companies including Phillips Industries, Cryogenic Engineering Laboratory and the University of Tel Aviv .[/expand]
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Authority on Global Retail Design

Rodney Fitch founded his design consultancy, Fitch, now owned by WPP, in 1972. He exited the consultancy at the end of 2009 and now is a Professor at Retail Design at Tudelft University and works in higher education and as an independent advisor, consultant and non-executive to a broad portfolio of clients. He has a growing presence in the emerging BRIC markets, particularly in India where he is helping to develop the organised retail sector in India for both global and national brands.

“He is best known as the guru of visual merchandising”

[expand title=”In detail”] Rodney’s firm has led the global design industry for nearly four decades with clients and projects in Europe, the USA, Latin America, China and Asia ranging from architecture and interiors, live events, exhibitions, brand identity, industrial design and in particular retail design. Rodney is an active member of the global design community featuring in many juries, committees and conferences. He has been a trustee of the Victoria & Albert Museum and is now Chairman of V&A Enterprises. He was awarded a CBE in 1990 for his influence on the British design industry. [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Rodney Fitch’s work delivering ‘consumer experience’ in the retail environment is acknowledged the world over. Projects range across all the retail sectors; from food and fashion, to phones and financial services; from the planning of shopping malls to merchandising, from duty free to luxury.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]With a captivating style, humour and wisdom, Rodney’s keynote lectures are powerful and effective.[/expand]
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Tibetan Buddhist Monk, Spiritual Director

Geshe Tenzing Tamding is a Spiritual Director of Buddhist centers in Japan, USA, Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia, Australia, Bulgaria, and sixteen Buddhist centers in Spain. He has received intensive study of Tibetan grammar, literature, religious texts and memorization of basic debates in the monastery of Ganden Shartse, having spent a total of 27 years in a monastery. He has completed all the courses of the five major areas of knowledge such as Buddhist Perfection of Wisdom, Madhyamika, Metaphysics, Logic and Monastic Discipline with distinction, achieving the highest academic honor in the School Gelugpa.

[expand title=”In detail”] Geshe Tenzin has been the personal translator for His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama to the Chinese in teaching important spiritual and religious ceremonies. Having received the highest ranking as Geshe Lharampa and being the youngest Geshe Lharampa, SS Dalai Lama sent him to spread the authentic dharma to monastic institutions and Buddhist centers around the world. He has created a foundation called Chu Sup Tsang Foundation for the preservation of Tibetan culture, art and Buddhism. The main objective of the foundation is to recreate the main Gelugpa monastic universities. [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”] Geshe Tenzing Tamding offers an interesting perspective of the corporate world challenges and management, utilizing century tested principles of the Buddhist approach. He talks about the balance between the material and the spiritual world outside and in each person individually.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Geshe Tenzin conveys the Dharma in a clear and straightforward way. His lessons can be easily understood and applied by his audiences in everyday life.[/expand]
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Middle East & International Affairs Expert

Henrique Cymerman is a Portuguese journalist who works as a Middle East correspondent for Antena 3 and La Vanguardia. Henrique also acts as correspondent for the Portuguese channel SIC and has made several appearances for the BBC and television in Israel and Palestine.

“Peace between politicians is not enough”

[expand title=”In detail”] Born in Portugal, Henrique Cymerman graduated from the University of Tel Aviv in Psychology, an MA in the field of political science and sociology. Among the many interviews and testimonies of political and religious leaders, is what would be Yitzhak Rabin’s last interview, 24 hours before the president was assassinated. It has recently been published in a Hebrew version, among other major interviews: Hussein, King of Jordan, Yasser Arafat, the Palestinian President, Ahmed Qurei, Palestinian Prime Minister, Mahmoud Abbas, Palestinian President, Ahmed Yassin, the Hamas leader, Abdallah Shami, a leader of Islamic Jihad, Gaza, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, former U.S. Vice President Al Gore and former Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Henrique Cymerman has collected many of the voices of the Middle East. The voices of leaders who make the decisions, the fundamentalists, the collaborators and traitors who give or risk their lives for their own truth, the voices of experts on terrorism and international leaders who interpret this tragic reality and civil society who suffer the daily consequences of the confrontation between Arabs and Israelis. He offers a completely impartial viewpoint on the current and future situation in the Middle East.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Henrique Cymerman’s frank, honest and highly researched presentations are always well received. Henrique is known for his thorough preparation, his relaxed style and professional attitude.[/expand]
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BBC’s Security Correspondent

Frank Gardner OBE is the BBC’s fulltime security correspondent reporting for TV and radio on issues of both domestic and international security, notably on Al Qaeda related terrorism. He was awarded an OBE in June 2005 for services to journalism and released his first book ‘Blood and Sand’ in May 2006 which reached number three in the Sunday Times Bestseller List.

“His work always reflects the true complexities of the stories he reports.”
Vin Ray

[expand title=”In detail”] Frank’s fascination with the Middle East began as a teenager when he had a chance meeting with Wilfrid Thesiger (who extensively travelled and photographed the Middle East). A fluent Arabist with a degree in Arabic and Islamic studies from Exeter University; Frank spent nine years as an investment banker in New York, London and Bahrain before switching to journalism and becoming the BBC’s Middle East correspondent based in Cairo. He has reported extensively on the so-called ‘War on Terror’ in Guantanamo Bay, Yemen, Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere in the Middle East. In 2004 he survived being shot six times at close range by Al Qaeda terrorists in the Riyadh suburb, Saudi Arabia. After many months in hospital he returned to the BBC to resume his job.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Frank draws on his experiences as a security correspondent to offer audiences remarkable accounts of his time in the Middle East. Having witnessed some truly terrifying situations his determination to return to his full and active life makes his story both fascinating and inspirational.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Frank is a good communicator, knows how to handle situations spontaneously and comes across really well.[/expand]
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Former World and Olympic Pole Vault Champion

Sergey Bubka is best known as the world record holder in the pole vault. He held the title of World Champion for 16 years (1983 to 1999) as he won 6 consecutive gold medals. He is still the only athlete in any event to win at six world championships.After his sports career Sergey became a sport administrator, politician and businessmanand is currently the President of the Ukrainian National Olympic Committee, Senior Vice President of the IAAF, Member of IOC Executive Board and Chairman of the IOC Athlete’s Commission

“Sergey is widely regarded as a living legend of sport”

[expand title=”In detail”] In 1985 Sergey became the first vaulter in history to clear the “unattainable” 6 metres barrier, capturing the imagination of sport fans around the world.An overwhelming favourite at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, he came within one miss of finishing out of the medals completely. However he easily cleared the height – 5.90 metres – and won the long awaited Olympic gold medal with an Olympic record. In 1991, he became the first person to clear 20 feet, which to this day has not been achieved by anyone else. He eventually set world records 35 times, 18 times indoors and 17 times outdoors and earned the nickname of ‘the Tsar’.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]In his presentations Sergey describes in detail his meticulous approach to training and competition and the drive needed which made him both Olympic and World Champion and enabled him to achieve his World Record.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]An inspiring and motivating speaker, Sergey is highly sought-after by audiences around the world keen to hear his story and to benefit from his passion and drive.[/expand]
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Professor of International Management Development

Andrew Kakabadse is Professor of International Management Development at Cranfield University, School of Management. He is co-editor of the Journal of Management Development and Corporate Governance: The International Journal of Business in Society. He also sits on the editorial board of the Journal of Managerial Psychology and the Leadership and Organisation Development Journal. Andrew has been ranked in the 2011 Thinkers 50, the listing of the world’s top 50 business thinkers.

“Leading expert on improving the performance of top executives and top executive teams”

[expand title=”In detail”] Andrew held positions on the boards of a number of companies. He has also been adviser to a Channel 4 business series. He was also Vice Chancellor of the International Academy of Management and has been Chairman of the Division of Occupational Psychology, British Psychological Society, 2001. He has published 30 books, over 169 articles and 16 monographs, including the best-selling books ‘Essence of Leadership’, ‘Politics of Management’, ‘Working in Organisations’ and ‘The Wealth Creators’.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Andrew has consulted and lectured in the UK, Europe, the USA, SE Asia, China, Japan, Russia, Georgia, the Gulf States and Australia. He advises top executives and top executive teams how to improve excellence in consultancy practice, corporate governance and conflict resolution and international relations.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]The tools Andrew provides help top executives challenged by situations with no easy answers see through the complexities to make the best decision. He uses examples to deliver the fundamentals of success.[/expand]
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