The Leading Speakers Bureau

Social Behaviour, Change management and Leadership Expert, Founder of Ape Management

Dr. Patrick van Veen ’s mission is to make managers and entrepreneurs aware of our biological behaviour. He advises companies, delivers speeches and organises corporate workshops on social behaviour and organises training sessions for managers, in co-operation with the Apenheul Zoo.

“The more you have to lose – the less open you are to change”
– Patrick van Veen

[expand title=”In detail”] Patrick van Veen studied Biology at the biology faculty of the University of Utrecht, graduating in 1993 in Social Biology. He then worked freelance for social organisations, the government and the University of Utrecht. In 1996, he made a radical turn. He decided to pursue a real career this time and joined an insurance company, where he held various positions, studied and specialised as a project manager. He took part in a management development program. In 2002, he became an independent biologist again and started his own company.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]In his pioneering presentations, Patrick van Veen shows how an important part of our behaviour is determined by the same impulses that determine the social behaviour of apes. In his fascinating speeches full of actionable messages, Patrick addresses questions like ‘Why do we show certain behaviour?’, and ‘Why do problems arise?’.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Using humorous examples, Patrick van Veen draws parallels with ape social structures, helping decision makers create better communication within their organisations, in addition to helping them recognise and solve problems.[/expand]
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2010 Australian Keynote Speaker of the Year

Catherine DeVrye is an inspirational communicator with proven hands-on international management experience in the private and public sectors – as both a corporate business woman and small business owner. Combining Gen Y energy with Baby-boomer experience, she has the ‘street cred’ to deliver the results you’re after. Her business name sums up her philosophy.

“DeVrye….Develops ideas, Designs Content, Delivers Results & Delights Audiences”

[expand title=”In detail”] A former IBM executive, Catherine held roles in sales, marketing, communication and management/leadership development; and spent 2 years in Tokyo as Asia Pacific Headquarter’s Human Resource Manager. Honoured as an Australia Day Ambassador – and National Speaker’s Association of Australia Keynote Speaker of the Year in 2010 she was a former board member of the 3rd largest police service in the world, past CEO of Junior Achievement Australia and worked for Ministers of Consumer Affairs, Education and Sport, where she was involved in the establishment of the Life. A keen sportswoman and adventurer, she’s cycled over the Andes, scaled peaks in the Antarctic and climbed to the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro.[/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]Catherine brings the latest theory and research to life through practical, common sense examples. She motivates and inspires audiences around the world with her insights honed through an extensive career in the public and private sectors[/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]Catherine is an inspirational presenter who combines substance with humour to inspire, motivate and serve as a catalyst for others to strive to achieve the best in themselves and their organisations.[/expand]
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Author and Expert on Management Subjects, HR Issues

Prof. David Clutterbuck is one of Europe’s best-known and innovative writers and thinkers on HR, coaching and the foremost global authority on mentoring. He has written more than 40 books on management themes, including the seminal ‘Talking Business’, the first genuinely strategic overview of employee communication strategy. He is visiting professor at Sheffield Hallam University, where he is a member of the Mentoring & Coaching Research Group, and also Oxford Brookes University. He leads the international consultancy, Clutterbuck Associates, which specialises in helping organisations develop greater capability for learning dialogue.

“Second in the list of top business coaches in the UK”
The Sunday Independent

[expand title=”In detail”] David Clutterbuck has been responsible for conceptual breakthroughs in the management of the psychological contract through communication, in the use of 360-degree feedback and in raising the quality of learning dialogue in organisations. He is currently helping a variety of organisations develop more open cultures, which encourage and value diversity.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]David is rated by leading HR directors, academics and commentators as one of the top 25 most influential thinkers in the field of Human Resources. He has helped hundreds of senior teams across the world find the Massively Difficult Questions that lead to deeper understanding of themselves and their businesses. His current focus is around succession planning, but believes that dialogue at work is the important issue. He is leading the development of parallel standards for coaching, having co-founded the European Mentoring and Coaching Council, which he now represents.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]David Clutterbuck is well-known as a lively and stimulating speaker, with a strong sense of humour ands ability to engage audiences. He has a rare talent for making complex topics understandable and for presenting them with humour and insight.[/expand]
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Founder of the Orange Brand, Creator of Virgin Atlantic’s ‘Magic Moments’ and Former 118 118 Chief Executive

Chris Moss is a Business innovator and Intrapreneur. A highly experienced board level brand and marketing leader he has already created 3 multi-billion dollar brands with a track record of delivering award winning launch campaigns, broadscale business transformation and sustained bottom line growth through product, service and communications innovation. He is knowledgeable across the technology, telecommunications, travel and finance sectors with a particular interest in emerging service markets.

Intrapreneur: “A person within a large corporation who takes direct responsibility for turning an idea into a profitable finished product through assertive risk-taking and innovation”
American Heritage Dictionary

[expand title=”In detail”] During his 8 years as Marketing director of Virgin Atlantic, Chris took the company from a single aircraft to loved international brand – and created Premium Economy, seat-back TV and on-board ice creams along the way. Chris is the founder of the Orange brand and directed what is considered to be one of the most successful business launches in the last 20 years. Chris also led the brand switch from ‘On Digital’ to ‘ITV Digital’, oversaw the brand merger of Lloyds Bank and TSB and as CEO of 118 118 delivered a masterclass in how to move from market entrant to market leader.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Chris has a wealth of experience as an intrapreneur, working within organisations to turn ideas into profit through assertive risk-taking and innovation. A brand imagineer, Chris Moss inspires audiences to ‘see things differently’ through entertaining anecdotes and invaluable advice. His reputation as a brand innovator and business maverick makes him a perfect speaker at prestigious events worldwide.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]A passionate and innovative speaker, Chris is a highly sought-after individual with a strong desire to show people how to “Make it impact!”[/expand]
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Expert on Change Management

For over a decade Dr. Mark DeVolder has motivated and equipped thousands to navigate change, build high levels of trust and become fully engaged at work and at home. He has guided change management projects worth more than 500 million dollars and has an extensive experience as a business mediator. In 2010, 2011 and 2012 he received the prestigious Top 5 Speaker award USA in Change Management.

“Thought-provoking and dynamic. Mark was inspiring and kept the audience charged” PricewaterhouseCoopers

[expand title=”In detail”] Dr. DeVolder delivers dynamic, high energy presentations in both the private and the public sector to Industry leaders and Fortune 500 companies. His customized programs are a mix of practical tools, rigorous research and collaborative consulting to improve organisational effectiveness and to accelerate performance. Mark has engaged audiences from New York to Dubai, from Toronto to Jamaica and from Bogota to Kuala Lumpur. His clients include: NASA, BP Oil, Motion Industries, IBM and PricewaterhouseCoopers amongst many others. [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]As an expert in the dynamics of organizational change and employee engagement, Mark reveals in his presentations why 70 percent of all change initiatives fail to achieve their stated goals. With straight-forward strategies and convincing business examples, he shows leaders from all fields of business how to drive results to improve the bottom line.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Mark is known for cutting edge content, valuable insights, entertaining the audience and interaction – all illustrated by humour and memorable stories. People leave with the tools to re-energize, re-engage and transform their workplace.[/expand]
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Leadership Expert

Keith Coats is an internationally respected leadership expert, author, speaker and facilitator. He has worked with both leaders and their executive teams in numerous international blue chip companies. Keith has formally researched leading teams through organisational change and has experience in facilitating both strategic processes and mergers. Keith is passionate about the international role and voice South Africa can play in leading diversity and has frequently been invited to share the ‘South African Story’ internationally.

One of South Africa’s more significant contributing voices on human development and leadership”

[expand title=”In detail”] Keith is a sought after international keynote presenter in the area of strategic leadership in the new world of work. Keith has been invited by HM King Carl XVI Gustaf, King of Sweden to present at the Royal Palace, Stockholm to Swedish leaders from the corporate, political, non-profit and academic spheres as well as at the Global Leaders Conference in China. Keith is a regular presenter at conferences and business schools around the world, having presented and taught in diverse settings. [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Keith’s primary focus is in the area of strategic leadership in the context of the new world of work. The need to develop adaptive intelligence – both personally and corporately, is paramount to future success in both these spheres. In a changing world strategy – what it is, how to do it and what skills are required, needs to adapt and change. So too with leadership – and it is in these domains that Keith’s expertise and experience are to be found.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Keith brings a relaxed, conversational style to the podium where he presents cutting edge thinking to those present[/expand]
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Captain of the Victorious 1995 Country-unifying Rugby World Cup Team – The Springboks

Francois Pienaar is a remarkable athlete, trained lawyer and an ambassador for multi-racial sports and civil rights. He reached the highest peak in rugby union: he captained his country South Africa, to World Cup victory in 1995. He was depicted in Clint Eastwood’s blockbuster Invictus. In 2005, Francois was seconded by First National Bank as CEO for the 2011 Rugby World cup bid.

Having been named Newsmaker of the Year, he is his country’s most celebrated icon after Nelson Mandela”

[expand title=”In detail”] Francois is involved in numerous charities and was the founder of the Make a Difference (MAD) charitable organisation when he returned to SA. Francois was approached by the First Rand Group where he became head of sponsorships and strategic business development. He left First Rand Bank to follow his passion for sport, media and entertainment and started Advent Sport Entertainment and Media Pty Ltd in 2009. Francois became Provincial Chairman of First National Bank in the Western Cape until 2009.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Francois regularly shares his amazing journey of leadership, perseverance and remarkable human spirit. He has proved himself an inspirational leader and is one of the few men on earth who can genuinely claim to have united South Africa behind a common cause. [/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]His charisma, leadership and strength of character place him much in demand to speak about the game he loves with a passion all over the world.[/expand]
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The Man Who Broke Barings Bank

In 1995, Nick Leeson’s unchecked risk-taking caused the sensational collapse of Barings Bank. He was sentenced to a six-and-a-half-year jail sentence in a Singaporean jail, in conditions that defy belief. While in prison his wife left him and he was diagnosed with colon cancer. Against all the odds, he survived and recovered from the cancer that almost killed him, determined to begin a new life.

“My experiences may be unusual, but they offer real insight into how stress can get out of hand and affect all of us.”

[expand title=”In detail”] Few stories have dominated the world’s headlines quite like the collapse of Barings. Trusted with the finances of royalty and aristocracy for over two hundred years, Barings had apparently been brought down by the covert trading activities of just one man, leaving the bank with losses of around £860 million. The fate of that man, Nick Leeson forever dubbed the “Rogue Trader” is now well known.[/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]Leeson’s own story of his rise and fall is both candid and compelling. He took one of the greatest gambles of all time and found himself sucked into a spiral of terrifying loss that rocked the City to its foundations and threatened to destroy his life.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Nick’s well delivered presentations are absolutely riveting and he speaks openly about his experiences in Singapore and how his life has changed since then.[/expand]
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Austrian Daredevil, Freefall World Record Holder

Felix Baumgartner is a skydiver and a BASE jumper. His nickname is “Fearless Felix” and “God of the skies” because of the dangerous nature of the stunts he has performed during his career. In 2012 he made history by breaking the world record for the highest-ever skydive, jumping from a balloon more than 39km (128,000 ft) up in the stratosphere and became the first person to break the speed of sound without mechanical assistance. The daredevil skydiver and helicopter pilot has made a career out of pushing the boundaries of human flight, always seeking to go faster, higher and further.

“Baumgartner is an extreme sports legend, and will go down as such in the history of extreme sports”

[expand title=”In detail”] Felix began skydiving when he was 16, polishing his aero-acrobatic skills in the Austrian military’s demonstration and competition team. In the 1990s, he moved from traditional skydiving to Base jumping, leaping off fixed objects and using a parachute to break the fall. He has completed many incredible feats in his BASE jumping career, broke two other world records (highest freefall and highest manned balloon flight) to complete his most daring mission to date.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Felix is motivated by scientific endeavour, the desire to see what the human body can achieve. He is also spurred on by the desire to see what no-one else has seen, to be alone at the highest reaches of the skies. Drawing upon his own personal experiences he inspires and challenges audiences to achieve goals beyond their wildest dreams. [/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Felix Baumgartner amazes and entertains audiences around the world with stories of his record-breaking death-defying stunts. Using footage and photos from his world famous escapades, he leaves audiences awe-inspired and speechless. [/expand]
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Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of Ireland 1994 -1997

John Bruton is a renowned expert on global economic issues. He is currently the President of IFSC Ireland, a body promoting international financial services activities in Ireland and associated with two major European Think Tanks – the Centre for European Policy Studies and the Centre for European Studies. As Finance Minister and Prime Minister he played a key role in both the development of the Euro and in the extraordinary success of the Irish economy. Mr. Bruton also served as the EU Ambassador to Washington from 2004 to 2009.

He helped transform the Irish economy into the “Celtic Tiger” one of the fastest growing economies in the World

[expand title=”In detail”] As Irish Prime Minister, John Bruton presided over the Irish Presidency of the European Union in 1996. At the Dublin Summit, he helped finalize the Growth and Stability Pact which governs the management of the Euro. He also helped develop the Strategic Management Initiative (SMI) for public sector reform in Ireland. Previously, as Minister for Finance he was responsible for the reform of the tax collection system in Ireland, introducing “self-assessment” which greatly improved tax compliance and reduced business costs. He was first elected to the Irish Parliament in 1969 at the age of twenty-two. Mr. Bruton is a board member of Ingersoll Rand and Montpelier Re. [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]John Bruton speaks with great authority on the economy and on future trends both in Europe and throughout the world. In his current role he explains major EU developments and discusses the importance of the EU-US relationship in matters of trade, counterterrorism, public health, energy, the environment and the promotion of peace, democracy and human rights around the world. A warm and invigorating Speaker Mr. Bruton’s sincerity and compassion have gained him respect at local and international forums on both sides of the Atlantic.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]One of the most important statesmen in all of Europe, John Bruton’s highly sought-after presentations are high in content, delivered in a frank, thought-provoking and astute manner.[/expand]
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