The Leading Speakers Bureau

Founder of YO! Sushi and YO! Brand

Successful entrepreneur and businessman, Simon Woodroffe founded YO! SUSHI in 1997. YO! Sushi is an example of what can be achieved through a combination of belief in what you’re doing, and doing something that turns accepted ideas upside down to create an unforgettable customer experience. One of the main things that Simon has learned during the process is the importance of delegating responsibility, to create a sense of ownership at many levels in the organisation. If you get that right, you can go on to build, well everything! YO! Company now includes: YO! Sushi, YOTEL (hotels); RadiYO!, YO! HOW; YO! ZONE, the spa; YO! HOME; YO!

“A truly inspirational and mind blowing presentation.” Joel Sapiro PSMG National Conference

[expand title=”In detail”] After leaving school at 16, Simon spent almost 30 years in the entertainment business. Through the 1970s and 80s his production companies, based in London and Los Angeles, designed rock ‘n’ roll stages for artists like Rod Stewart, The Moody Blues and Stevie Wonder and events like Live Aid. In July 2006 Simon was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list in recognition of his outstanding business career.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Simon is a totally inspired, innovative and creative individual with a lifestyle brand at his fingertips. Simon believes that when you can touch the person inside the business and the person behind the customer two things happen: a) you will never lose them and b) it will be far easier to do good things without trying too hard. Funny, moving and inspiring Simon tells it how it is – there’s a lot to relate to for everybody and a lot to learn from his mistakes as well as his successes.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]A very entertaining, thought-provoking speaker, with his practical advice on creativity and innovation in business. He has an energising presence and his presentations always leave audiences feeling truly motivated.[/expand]
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Physicist, Philosopher, Environmental Activist, Eco Feminist & Author

Vandana Shiva is a world-renowned environmental leader and thinker. She is a councillor of the World Future Council. Intellectual property rights, biodiversity, biotechnology, bioethics, genetic engineering are among the fields where Shiva has contributed intellectually and through activist campaigns. She has served as an adviser to governments in India and abroad as well as non governmental organisations, including the International Forum on Globalization, the Women’s Environment & Development Organization and the Third World Network.

“Vandana Shiva is author of over 300 papers in leading scientific and technical journals”

[expand title=”In detail”] Vandana Shiva received her Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Western Ontario, Canada. She has assisted grassroots organizations of the Green movement in Africa, Asia, Latin America, Ireland, Switzerland and Austria with campaigns against genetic engineering. Before becoming an activist, Shiva was one of India’s leading physicists. The founder of Navdanya “nine seeds”, a movement promoting diversity and use of native seeds, she also set up the Research Foundation for Science, Technology, and Ecology in her mother’s cowshed in 1997. Its studies have validated the ecological value of traditional farming and been instrumental in fighting destructive development projects in India.[/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]One of the world’s most prominent radical scientists and a leader in the International Forum on Globalization, Vandana Shiva has been recognised by Time magazine as an environmental hero, and Asia Week called her one of the five most powerful communicators in Asia. Director of the Research Foundation on Science, Technology, and Ecology and a prolific author, she illustrates to audiences the undeniable connection between industrial agriculture and climate change, acting as your bridge to understanding how we can feed the planet in a socially just, environmentally sound way.[/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]In her trademark style, Vandana Shiva is inspiring, gripping, compassionate and unflinching with a fierce intellect and her disarmingly friendly, accessible manner. She is a truly compelling and powerful speaker who has devoted her life to fighting for the rights of the ordinary people of India and who draws solutions to our world’s most pressing problems.[/expand]
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Renowned Economist and World Expert on Transition and Development Policy

Grzegorz Kolodko currently heads a think-tank TIGER, Transformation, Integration and Globalization Economic Research, at Kozminski University and is professor at the Leon Kozminski Academy of Entrepreneurship and Management in Warsaw (WSPiZ). He held positions of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance four times between 1994 and 2003, under four different Prime Ministers. He was a consultant for the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, United Nations and OECD. He has authored 40 books and over 300 scientific articles in the area of economics, translated into over 25 languages.

Grzegorz Kolodko has been awarded honorary degrees from eight foreign universities

[expand title=”In detail”] Grzegorz Kolodko graduated from Warsaw School of Economics and received a scholarship from Fulbright Program during his appointment at University of Illinois. Prior to his appointment at Kozminski University in 2000, he had various lecturing positions at schools including Warsaw School of Economics, Yale University, UCLA and University of Rochester. While Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance (1994-97) he led Poland to the OECD. In 1989 he participated in the historical Polish Round Table, which led to the first post-communist government in East Central Europe.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]A world renowned economist, Grzegorz Kołodko is recognised as a key architect of Polish economic reforms, professor of economics and renowned economist specializing in development economy, system reforms and public finances.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]An experienced and articulate speaker, Grzegorz Kolodko is in great demand by decision makers eager to benefit from his political and economic insight into the changing Eastern European economic markets.[/expand]
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Multi Award Winning TV and Film Actress

Sigourney Weaver received worldwide recognition for her role as Ellen Ripley in Ridley Scott’s Alien, Aliens, and two other sequels in the Alien series. She is also known for her roles in the Ghostbusters films, Gorillas in the Mist, The Ice Storm, Heartbreakers, Holes and in Avatar. In 2009, she starred in her first made-for-TV movie, Prayers for Bobby, for which she was nominated for an Emmy Award.

Called ‘The Sci-Fi Queen’ on account of her many science fiction and fantasy films

[expand title=”In detail”] Born in New York, she was named Susan Alexander Weaver and later chose her name Sigourney Weaver; she graduated from Stanford University with an English degree. She spent some time living in Israel on a kibbutz before enrolling at the Yale School of Drama. One of the very few actresses so honoured for a role in a science fiction movie, she is a three-time Academy Award nominee for her performances in Aliens, Gorillas in the Mist, and Working Girl winning Golden Globe Awards in the latter two films. She has done voice work in television and film and also hosted two episodes of the long-running NBC sketch show Saturday Night Live.[/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]Three times Oscar-nominated Sigourney Weaver is a great keynote speaker and host for tech. companies, women’s events or anything environmental or SciFi related. Sigourney speaks on many platforms, but is uniquely able to speak about technology and its impacts from a celebrity point of view. She is also available for personal appearances and endorsements.[/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]Sigourney Weaver has a unique presence and charisma, adding prestige and glamour to any event. She gives a human face and personal perspective to the changing landscape of the film industry.[/expand]
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Russian American Economist, Professor of Economics at Harvard University

Andrei Shleifer has worked on corporate governance, law and finance, behavioural finance, and institutional economics. He has published four books, as well as over a hundred articles. He is a fellow of the Econometric Society and of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. In 2010, he is listed #1 in the category “Most-Cited Scientists in Economics & Business”.

According to IDEAS/RePEc, Prof. Andrei Shleifer is the most cited economist in the world

[expand title=”In detail”] Andrei Shleifer holds an undergraduate degree from Harvard and a Ph.D. from MIT. He served as the Editor of the Quarterly Journal of Economics between 1989 and 1999 and the Editor of the Journal of Economic Perspectives between 2003 and 2008. In 1999, Shleifer won the John Bates Clark medal of the American Economic Association. He has held a post in the Department of Economics at Harvard University since 1991 and was, from 2001 through 2006, the Whipple V. N. Jones Professor of Economics. During the early 1990s, he was an advisor to Anatoly Chubais, the then vice-premier of Russia, and was one of the engineers of the Russian privatization.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]The most cited economist in the world, Andrei Shleifer shows his audiences how to thrive in a challenging economy, while gearing up for future prosperity. He is renowned for his insightful commentary on the U.S. and global economies, domestic politics and international trade. He analyzes the new economic realities and presents solid strategies for gaining competitive advantage, providing the latest on the changing global economy.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]One of the most brilliant economists at work today, Andrei Shleifer expertly helps audiences understand what lies in wait for the world’s economic future. His ability to explain complex financial matters has won praise across the political spectrum.[/expand]
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Thought Provocateur, Author, Former Editor of Marketing Week & Founder of Ctrl-Shift

Alan Mitchell is the UK’s leading marketing commentator. He has spent the last 20 years researching, writing about and commenting on consumer, market and marketing trends: as editor of Marketing magazine, as marketing correspondent for The Times, as a contributor to the Financial Times and columnist for Marketing Week and Brand Strategy. He serves on the steering committee of Harvard Law School Berkman Center for Internet and Society Project VRM and on the editorial boards of The Journal of Brand Management and The Journal of Direct, Digital and Database Marketing.

“My interest is wealth creation. Real wealth creation that is, things & activities that enrich human lives” Alan Mitchell

[expand title=”In detail”] Alan Mitchell founded the Buyer Centric Commerce Forum with Liz Brandt in 2005. He also works with Mydex, a Community Interest Company whose goal is to ‘help individuals realise the value of their personal data’. He is a founder of the Mydex Community Interest Company and serves as Chairman of the Buyer Centric Commerce Forum.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Alan Mitchell looks at the changing face of the relationship between consumer and corporation, the change in the balance of power with the impact of social networking. He helps organisations in both the public and private sectors research, 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, Alan Mitchell 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 marketing and an excellent speaker.[/expand]
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One Of Britain’s Leading Wine Writers & Internationally Recognised Wine Expert

Tim Atkin is a British Master of Wine & award winning wine correspondent. He writes a weekly column on wine for The Times and is Wine Editor at Large for Off Licence News. He also writes for Woman and Home, The World of Fine Wine, Decanter, Jamie Magazine and Intelligent Life. He appears regularly on the BBC’s Saturday Kitchen, judges wine all over the world and is co-chairman of the International Wine Challenge.

“Tim Atkin has won over 20 awards, including 2009 Roederer International Wine Columnist of the year”

[expand title=”In detail”] Tim Atkin runs his own wine school, specializing in the wines of Spain, France and the New World. He holds a BA from Durham University in Modern Languages and a Masters degree from the London School of Economics in European Studies. He became a Master of Wine in 2001, winning the Robert Mondavi Award for the best theory examination and is a Caballero del Vino, a Chevalier du Tastevin and a member of the Ordre du Bontemps. In 2009 he was highly commended in the Columnist of the Year (Business Media) category in the PPA Awards and named Louis Roederer International Wine Columnist of the Year for his articles in The Observer, OLN and Intelligent Life. He has judged wines in the UK, France, the United States, Argentina, Spain, South Africa, Chile and Australia.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]With over 25 years’ experience, multi-award winning journalist Tim Atkin was named Communicator of the Year by the International Wine & Spirit Competition and Best Drink Journalist in the World Food Media Awards in 2007. He provides highly informative and entertaining lectures and frequently acts as a wine tasting judge. He also runs a highly acclaimed wine course in London at Vinoteca.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Tim Atkin has a vast knowledge of all facets of the wine industry and his engaging presence and chrisma is highly sought-after at a wide range of prestigious events.[/expand]
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Technologist & Entrepreneur, Founder of KaZaA & Skype

Niklas Zennström is a Swedish entrepreneur, investor and philanthropist. He is most famous for founding several high-profile online ventures including Skype (the global leader in Internet voice communications, with over 432 million registered users), KaZaA, Joost and Joltid. In 2007, he co-founded the investment group, Atomico, and has become a significant figurehead for entrepreneurs in the technical sector.

Niklas was recognized by Time Magazine as one of its 100 Most Influential People in 2006

[expand title=”In detail”] Niklas Zennström holds dual degrees in Business and MSc Engineering Physics/Computer Science. Prior to Skype, he co-founded and served as CEO of Kazaa, the consumer file-sharing application that became the world’s most downloaded Internet software in 2003, and Joltid, the world’s leader in peer-to-peer technologies. He co-founded Zennstrom Philanthropies where he is focused on fighting climate change. Earlier in his career, he was CEO of the European everyday.com portal, and held various business development roles at get2net, a Danish ISP provider. He started his professional career at Tele2, a pioneering competitive phone company in Europe. He recently started work on peer-to-peer video distribution service, The Venice Project.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]One of today’s most talked about Internet entrepreneurs, Niklas Zennström is at the heart of cutting edge businesses and his presentations provide a unique perspective of the future of modern communications. He is also passionate about engaging those with influence to respond to the dangers of global warming, as well as nurturing social entrepreneurs. He understands the dynamics of game-changing business models and has invaluable experience of creating worldwide networks.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Global game changer, Niklas Zennström is a highly respected and sought-after speaker, in great demand for his insightful and engaging talks.[/expand]
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Professor of Health Policy and Management, Witten-Herdecke University

Christian Koeck is a visionary in health policy and management. He is Professor of Health Policy and Management at the Witten-Herdecke University and Adjunct Lecturer at the Harvard School of Public Health, Boston. A regular contributor to national and international industry journals addressing a range of healthcare issues, he is firmly committed to improving the quality of healthcare throughout the world.

“Christian is a leading expert on Health Policy and Management that gives healthcare professionals practical ideas for improvement”

[expand title=”In detail”] Christian studied Medicine in Vienna and received his first doctorate in 1983. Harvard awarded a second doctorate in 1984, where he studied Health Policy and Economy. Between 1990 and 1995 he was a member of the executive board of the network of Viennese Hospitals with responsibility for quality management and organisation. In 1998 he was awarded a Professorship at the Witten-Herdecke University. Most recently, in 2002 he was elected Dean of the Faculty of Medicine[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Drawing upon his extensive knowledge, comprehensive studies and rigorous research Christian provides you with sound, practical ideas on how to improve healthcare among health professionals and patients; and how to improve quality through financial investment.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]You will be both entertained and informed by his talks, his drive and motivation is infectious making him highly sought-after at leading healthcare events. [/expand]
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One of the World’s Leading Authorities on Cloud Computing

Ignacio M. Llorente is Full Professor at the Complutense University of Madrid and has been involved in the coordination of leading innovative projects such us OpenNebula, most advanced open-source solution for cloud computing, and RESERVOIR, flagship of EU-funded initiatives in cloud computing. He has held several appointments as independent IT expert for the European Commission and several national governments; and consultant positions at ICASE NASA Langley and Sun Microsystems.

World’s Leading Expert in Cloud Computing, and Strategic Management of Research, Development and Innovation”

[expand title=”In detail”] Prof. Llorente attained a Ph.D in Computer Science (UCM) and Executive MBA (IE Business School), is a Full Professor (Catedrático) in Computer Architecture and the Head of the Distributed Systems Architecture Group at UCM, and Chief Executive Advisor and co-founder of C12G Labs, a technology start-up. He founded and co-chaired the OGF Working Group on Open Cloud Computing Interface; and participates in the European Commission Group of Experts in Cloud Computing and in the main European projects in Cloud Computing. He has given many keynotes and invited talks in the main international events in cloud computing, and has contributed to several cloud computing panels and roadmaps. He has been involved in the coordination of working groups in the main European technology platforms, such as NESSI, and international standards bodies, such as OGF.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Prof. Llorente has almost 20 years of experience in IT research and management of large international projects on advanced distributed computing and resource provisioning models, such as cloud computing, to address real-life business and science use cases. In the context of these projects and his participation in standards bodies, technology platforms and advisory boards, he collaborates with the leading IT companies and has participated in the definition of strategic research programs. As leading expert and active researcher in innovative and emerging IT technologies with extensive expertise in project management and consultancy, he offers a unique perspective into how companies can innovate and compete with next generation Internet and cloud computing. As cloud computing pioneer and guru, he communicates his vision about the data centre as the computer of the future and the IT resources as the next utility. [/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]An accomplished teacher, Ignacio is an energetic and motivating speaker who captivates audiences with his wide expertise in the field and clear structured presentations.[/expand]
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