The Leading Speakers Bureau

Leading Authority in Post Conflict Reconstruction

Stefan Wolff specialises in post-conflict reconstruction of deeply divided and war-torn societies. He has extensive expertise in Northern Ireland, the Balkans and the Middle East, and has also worked on a wide range of other conflicts elsewhere, including Central and Eastern Europe, Africa, and Southeast Asia.

Bridging the divide between academia and policy-making, Stefan advises national and international governmental and non-governmental organisations and the private sector. He is part of a small team of experts studying and developing complex institutional design solutions for self-determination conflicts. He is also coordinating a research group examining the influence of external factors on the development and stability of ethnic autonomy regimes.

[expand title=”In detail”] Stefan is a Reader in the Department of European Studies at the University of Bath. He holds a Masters Degree from Magdalene College, Cambridge, and a Ph.D. from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

As convener of the Ethnopolitics Specialist Group an international team of scholars and practitioners working on issues related to the prevention, management and settlement of ethnic and religious conflicts and sponsored by the UK’s Political Studies Association, Stefan has built a global network of professionals with a wide range of geographic and topical expertise.

He is currently working on the development of a comprehensive strategy to involve the private sector into peace-building in the Middle East. For the past two years, he has also been instrumental in developing and implementing a multiyear institutional reform and training programme for the Western Balkan countries aimed at government officials, journalists and leaders from the private and non-profit sectors the programme focuses on the significance of regional and European integration and provides participants with the skills and knowledge to prepare for eventual accession to the European Union while simultaneously fostering closer links between them in order to better address problems of a regional dimension and establish mechanisms of non-violent conflict regulation.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]He is frequently invited as plenary speaker to conferences and workshops throughout the world as well as advising and speaking at private company gatherings. Stefan is highly regarding as a leading expert in his field and is in constant demand by corporations and governments eager to exploit his expertise.[/expand]
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Explorer, Writer, Amazon Man – Inspirational Figure

Ed Stafford became the first person to walk the entire length of the Amazon River in August 2010. His adventure has been described as one of the most dangerous and difficult expeditions ever undertaken encountering venomous snakes, severe floods, electric eels, jaguars and hostile local tribes, one of whom held him for questioning about the murder of one of their tribesman. Since returning home to the UK his story has featured in over 300 articles around the globe.

Ed’s Amazon accomplishment has been described by Sir Ranulph Fiennes as being “..in the top league of expeditions past and present”

[expand title=”In detail”] On April 2nd 2008, Ed Stafford began his quest to walk the entire length of the Amazon River from source to sea. In 2009 he began writing a fortnightly blog for the Prince’s Rainforests Project. After leaving the military in 2002 he led expeditions in Belize and then supervised the building of a BBC base camp in Guyana.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Ed Stafford’s experiences of surviving adversity in some of the world’s most remote locations are simply unforgettable and highly inspiring. He uses his experiences to inspire and motivate audiences to achieve their own personal goals and shows that it is possible to succeed even when faced with seemingly insurmountable hardship.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Ed Stafford aims to motivate others to believe they can achieve their dreams and his laid back, humorous style educates and enthrals. His presentations are a mix of narrative and pictorial anecdotes with documentary footage filmed by Ed himself in the jungle. He takes the audience with him back to the jungle via his presentation and helps to inspire them to see life ahead as an adventure ready to begin.[/expand]
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Former Chairman of Microsoft India

Ravi Venkatesan is a Director on the Board of AB Volvo and Infosys Ltd. and a member of the Advisory Boards of Harvard Business School and Purdue University. He is the former Chairman of Microsoft India. Under his leadership from 2004-2011, India became Microsoft’s second largest and one of its fastest growing geographies. He was recently voted the Most Influential MNC CEO for 2011 by the Economic Times.

“One of the most influential pioneers of the Indian technology Industry”

[expand title=”In detail”] Prior to joining Microsoft, Ravi worked for over sixteen years with Cummins Inc, the world leader in engines and related technologies. As Chairman of Cummins India Limited, he oversaw the transformation of Cummins into the leading provider of power solutions and the largest manufacturer of automotive engines in the country. He is an Advisor to Raymond Ltd. and Bunge Inc. He has contributed frequently to the Harvard Business Review; some of his articles include, “Strategic Sourcing – to Make or Not to Make” and “Cummins Engine Flexes its Factories. Ravi was awarded Purdue University’s Distinguished Engineering Alumnus award for the year 2011.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Ravi takes a highly customised approach to each presentation he delivers, ensuring a topical focus for each client that is unique, conversational and an excellent tie-in with the overall event. He advises audiences on a wide range of business topics especially the emergence of new technologies.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Ravis’ highly personalised, unforgettable presentations are memorable insights into his unique viewpoint of the technology industry. A fascinating speaker, he talks in detail about the challenges and successes of Microsoft India and inspires audiences around the globe.[/expand]
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Italian Tenor and Communication speaker

Vittorio Grigolo is a tenor who has developed a reputation as one of the most talented tenors of his generation. With a gold and platinum-selling solo album, a Grammy-nominated recording of Bernstein’s West Side Story and his last album The Italian Tenor reaching the number one position in the US Billboard Classical Album chart, Vittorio is already established as a successful recording artist. His second album Arrivederci released in autumn 2011, includes Vittorio’s personal selection of the most beloved Italian songs and opera arias ever written for the tenor voice.

“Vittorio’s exceptional dramatic and vocal talents have been widely praised by the world’s press”

[expand title=”In detail”] Having made his debut as the Shepherd in Tosca at the age of thirteen, at twenty-three he became the youngest tenor ever to perform at Teatro alla Scala. As one of the leading tenors of his generation, he now performs worldwide, and is renowned for his star quality as both a singer and actor. Vittorio has been honored with awards that include the European Border Breakers award and France’s 2010 Discovery of the Year award in recognition of his latest album The Italian Tenor. He has also won the Best Tenor category in L’Opera Magazine’s 2011 Opera awards.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Vittorio’s amazing voice has ensured him a place within the pantheon of great singers, and his drive and determination is virtually impossible to ignore with several hit albums and hundreds of concert appearances behind him.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Vittorio’s extraordinary “pure” voice has attracted the attention of many established artists from the worlds of pop and classical alike.[/expand]
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Europe’s only Professor for Computer Gaming

Prof. Linda Breitlauch is Europe’s only Professor for Computer Gaming. She is currently the Head of the Game Design Program at the MediaDesign Hochschule, Düsseldorf teaching media theory, design and multimedia dramaturgy. She has helped pioneer work into the combination in a novel way of two gaming traditions, which have been mutual exclusive till now: outdoor games and computer games.

“Linda Breitlauch gives a very realistic overview of modern game development practices”

[expand title=”In detail”] Prof. Linda Breitlauch became a games enthusiast in the days of the early consoles. She has pioneered the framework of her study screenplay and dramaturgy in the Film and Television College in Potsdam. Among other things in the Brandenburg University of Applied Sciences she studied “Interactive Storytelling” at great length. [/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]Prof. Breitlauch offers insights into the developments in the computer games industry. Her realistic overview opens audience’s minds to realistic conflicts, witty challenges, many-sided strategies and varied game contents.[/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]Linda Breitlauch’s fascinating presentations are filled with ideas on her passions – adventures, strategy games and role plays. She also looks at the new challenges game design is facing and into the role of women in games, their emotional effects and the thought processes behind the active rolls from feminine figures in the games.[/expand]
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Expert on Human Behaviour and The Psychology of Persuasion

Philip Hesketh is a speaker and raconteur on The Psychology of Persuasion and author of the international bestseller, ‘Life’s A Game So Fix The Odds’. He offers wit and wisdom on human behaviour and how to influence it, inspiring, entertaining and informing worldwide audiences on how buying, selling, persuading and influencing work. Having spent his entire working life studying and practicing persuasion and influence, he works with all manner of people who recognise the importance of developing good relationships and can benefit from what he has learned in his professional and academic life.

Philip both commands the attention of an audience and captures its imagination

[expand title=”In detail”] Philip is a Psychology graduate from Newcastle University and a sales graduate from Procter & Gamble. In 1986 he became a founding director of Advertising Principles in Leeds, West Yorkshire. He developed the company over the next 17 years as New Business Director and Managing Partner, seeing the company grow from a standing start to a £48 million company employing over 150 people. In 2010 he won the award for ‘Overseas Speaker of the Year’ in Sydney for TEC Australia and is also the holder of the award for ‘Most Requested Speaker’ for Vistage in the UK in 2010.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Plenty of speakers can address an audience about the powers of persuasion. However, few can actually teach them how to become more persuasive in a keynote talk of 30, 45 or 60 minutes that is highly tailored to their particular organisation or industry. This is Philip Hesketh’s speciality![/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Now firmly established as one of the country’s top professional speakers on sales motivation, Philip’s presentations are delivered with a ruthless aplomb that combines a potent mix of well-researched, persuasive techniques with his own highly entertaining and unique brand of humour. He is witty, entertaining, thought-provoking and highly relevant to today’s business world. Audiences are enthralled as well as informed from the first minute to the last. Smiling throughout and often laughing out loud, but more importantly, they leave the event inspired and better informed on how buying, selling, persuading and influencing actually work. [/expand]
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Former Deputy Director of Research of the IMF & Former Senior Representative of the IMF in Europe

Flemming Larsen currently acts as an independent advisor and consultant, and speaks frequently on a range of global financial and economic issues. Recent topics have focused on the Sovereign Debt Crisis in the Euro Area, the Disappointing Recovery from the Deepest Recession since the 1930s and The Risk of a New Financial Crisis. He contributes occasionally to a Danish newspaper (Weekendavisen). From 1992-2000 Mr. Larsen had the senior responsibility for the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) World Economic Outlook, the Fund’s flagship publication and probably the most authoritative survey of global economic trends and policy issues.

“Flemming Larsen is a highly regarded speaker”

[expand title=”In detail”] Flemming served as Director of the IMF’s three European Offices in Paris, Brussels, and Geneva, and as the Fund’s senior representative in Europe. In this function he and his staff represented the IMF in a number of international organizations based in Europe, including the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the World Trade Organization, and the Bank for International Settlements. In 1990-92 Flemming was Division Chief in the European Commission, with responsibility for international monetary affairs. Originally trained as a banker, Mr. Larsen holds degrees from the University of Aarhus, Denmark.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Flemming Larsen has directed an extensive program of research on global economic, monetary, and financial questions. In his high content presentations he draws from his broad experience from the International Monetary Fund, where he held different high positions, and working with governments.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Flemming is a highly informative and insightful speaker on global and European economics. His wealth of experience and knowledge make him an interesting and provoking speaker at prestigious conferences and seminars.[/expand]
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World Renowned Authority on the Environment

Dr. Ernst Ulrich von Weizsäcker is the co-chair of the International Panel on Sustainable Resource Use, founded by UNEP and co-chair of the Task Force on Economic Instruments for Energy Efficiency and the Environment of the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED). From 2006 – 2008 he was the Dean of the Donald Bren School of Environmental Science and Management at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Previously he was the Director of the Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy and also a member of the German Parliament and Chairman of the Enquete Commission. In 2008 he was awarded the German Environment Prize.

Winner of the Takeda Award “Techno-Entrepreneurial Achievement for World-Environmental Well-Being”

[expand title=”In detail”] In 1981 Dr. von Weizsäcker became Director of the UN Centre for Science and Technology for Development, before becoming Director of the Institute for European Environmental Policy in 1984. He was Chairman of the German Select Committee on Globalization, later becoming Chairman of the Environment Committee. He was also a Member of the World Commission on the Social Dimensions of Globalisation. [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Dr. von Weizsäcker is ideally qualified to talk not only about the effects of environmental changes but also the opportunities that it is creating for businesses worldwide. He talks in great detail about the social and economic changes the world is currently going through as well as the different ways in which companies are responding and how it is possible to be green and still stay competitive.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]A brilliant thinker and communicator, Dr. von Weizsäcker’s presentations are filled with numerous examples from his research and focus on the social and political repercussions of the changing world we live in.[/expand]
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Business Strategy Expert, Workplace Consultant & Co-Author of ‘First, Break All the Rules’

Curt Coffman is an independent researcher, business scientist, New York Times best selling author, speaker and consultant for many of today’s leading organizations. He currently serves as a Senior Partner of The Coffman Organization. Previously, he spent over 22 years at The Gallup Organization and was the Global Practice Leader for employee and customer engagement consulting. He also serves as Executive Fellow at The Daniels School of Business at the University of Denver. He has consulted with many Fortune 100 and 500 companies, and his work spans the Western Hemisphere, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

“Curt epitomizes that rare blend of studied research and dynamic delivery”

[expand title=”In detail”] Curt’s research and thoughts have been published in The Economist, Fortune, the International Journal of Management Reviews, USA Today, Business Today (India), Business Week, Inc. Magazine, CIO Magazine, the Harvard Management Update, Fast Company and the New York Times. Coffman is a regular contributor of employee engagement columns to the Gallup Management Journal. His work has spanned all across the globe, including Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and all over the Western Hemisphere.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Curt Coffman’s mission is to help organizations understand the key characteristics of a positive, productive, customer-oriented work environment. His research and consulting insights help organizations measure and manage workplace and customer conditions that show linkage to business outcomes. For more than 10 years, Curt Coffman has presented to thousands of groups on the topic of creating great places to work and its impact on individuals, families, organizational growth and creating engaged customers.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]In his invaluable presentations he expertly and dynamically focuses on the most important aspects of your unique employee and customer experience. He challenges people to look at their business through a refreshing new lens.[/expand]
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Founder of WordPress and Automattic

Mat Mullenweg is the founding developer of the popular open-source blogging software. After quitting his job at CNET, he has devoted the majority of his time to developing a number of open source projects and is a frequent speaker at conferences, such as Canada’s Northern Voice and the WordCamp events organized around WordPress software. In late 2005, he founded Automattic, the business behind WordPress.com and Akismet.

There’s no such thing as a wrong note, and to focus on people first – Mullenweg

[expand title=”In detail”] As a high school student, Matt Mullenweg worked on open-source software projects in his bedroom. Seven years later, he still does most of his work from home. Mullenweg, 25, is the founder of Automattic, the company behind the open-source blogging tool WordPress and a handful of other software projects. WordPress.com powers 12 million blogs, including those of The New York Times, which invested in Mullenweg’s company last year. Although Automattic’s headquarters is within walking distance of Mullenweg’s San Francisco apartment, he rarely visits the place. Instead, he spends his days either traveling the world to meet WordPress fanatics or holed up in his home office, where he often blasts Jay-Z and writes software code into the wee hours.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Matt Mullenweg looks at the changing face of the the social media and the change in the balance of power with the impact of social networking. He helps IT Small and medium enterprises, entrepreneurs and companies to design and develop innovative ways of engaging with consumers, customers and citizens to seize these opportunities. He advises organisations about consumer empowerment.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]In his invaluable presentations, Matt challenges preconceptions on global branding, customer relationship and permission marketing, and the importance of corporate reputation, expertly looking at all the trends. He is without doubt one of the most insightful commentators on social media and marketing and an excellent speaker.[/expand]
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