The Leading Speakers Bureau

Everest Mountaineer, Author and Motivational Speaker

Bear Grylls has become known around the world as one of the most recognized faces of survival and outdoor adventure. After breaking his back in three places in a parachuting accident, he fought his way to recovery, and two years later entered the Guinness Book of Records as the youngest Briton to climb Mount Everest, aged only 23. He has since led ground-breaking expeditions across the world. Bear’s passion and enthusiasm for the outdoors are now shared and enjoyed through his TV programmes in over 150 different countries, reaching over one billion people worldwide.

“One of the most moving and honest speakers I have heard” Spike Milligan

[expand title=”In detail”] Prior to the Everest Expedition, Bear spent three years with the British Special Air Service (21 SAS). In 2003, Bear successfully completed another ground breaking expedition leading a team across the freezing North Atlantic Arctic Ocean in a small open rigid inflatable boat. He has authored 15 books, including the No 1 Bestseller: ‘Mud Sweat & Tears’ which was voted the most influential book in China for 2012. 2013 his new US TV series Get Out Alive with Bear Grylls was aired on NBC and showed worldwide on Discovery Channel. [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Bear’s story of progressing from a broken back in hospital to the summit of the world’s highest mountain, is one that touches people globally. Bear’s talks focus on those simple qualities that make the difference between life and death on a mountain: the intimacies and realities of teamwork, the honesty needed in intense environments and the courage that comes not from bravado but from something else inside.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Bear has a natural talent for communication and his talks are both challenging and informative. His is a story of honesty, friendships, determination and humility.[/expand]

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Former Managing Director of Porsche and former CEO of BMW GB, investor in a number of successful companies

Kevin has led teams to huge success in: Automotive, Technology, Data, Manufacturing, Marketing, Professional Services, Recruitment, Training and Development. His teams have built over $3bn in shareholder value. A highly motivational and engaging speaker, he believes that ordinary people can achieve extraordinary results – and her has the experience to prove it.

“Recognised as one of the most capable managers of his generation”

[expand title=”In detail”] In 1987 he joined Porsche GB Ltd and four years later, at the age of 32, was appointed UK Managing Director. Inheriting a business which was close to bankruptcy he built a world class team to focus the business back to its engineering heritage. In 2000, he left BMW to seek a new challenge as European Chief Executive of CarsDirect.com, an American pioneer in the online sale of cars. Kevin was also appointed as Group Chief Executive of EurotaxGlass’s AG. Between 2001 and 2007 he led an international team, converting 31 national print based companies into the global leader in the provision of online data, systems and software to the automotive sector.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Kevin draws upon these experiences and those of his ongoing chairmanship of a number of companies to share practical lessons of how people can be motivated to form teams which achieve extraordinary results.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Motivate and inspire your team with a man who has led Porsche, Lamborghini and BMW to record levels of performance, proven himself as a serial entrepreneur and is recognized as one of the finest leaders of his generation.[/expand]

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Leadership Strategist and Corporate Mentor

Margot Cairnes is a highly respected international leadership strategist. She is a pioneer in the field of holistic transformation. A corporate mentor and advisor to Boards and CEO’s of multinational companies, Margot addresses crucial issues in leadership, and business. Margot is a recognised expert working for the past 15 years in corporations worldwide using her unique and proven methodologies.

“A truly multifaceted and inspirational speaker”

[expand title=”In detail”] She has been named One of the 2000 Outstanding Intellectuals of the 21st Century by the International Biographical Centre, Cambridge. Margot is founder and Chairman of Margot Cairnes International. She is the Author of Five books and hundreds of articles published worldwide. Margot serves on Boards for The Salvation Army Media Advisory Board and the Australian Institute of Engineers Centre for Enginee.
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[expand title=”What she offers you”]Growth! Personal, relationship company. Margot designs global corporate transformation programmes. Her approach is multifaceted and unique. It facilitates corporate leaders, internal relationships and business strategy to be explored as a whole. This creates
• leaders who are willing to exchange power and control for freedom, growth and trust.
• a company culture that is effective and well.
• quantum leaps in business performance.

A dynamic and invigorating speaker, Margot is highly sought-after by corporate leaders who are willing to see their world through different eyes.[/expand]

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CEO and Founder of BBES International

Bisila Bokoko is a pioneering and truly inspirational business leader. Founder of BBES, a boutique business development firm, she serves a wide range of markets and industries with particular focus on gastronomy, fashion, lifestyle, arts and culture. Passionate about what they do BBES has a laudable success establishing global partnerships/alliances. As the former Executive Director of the Spain-US Chamber of Commerce in New York, she has developed and cultivated relationships with foreign Heads of State and International business leaders a fact which has made her one of the ten most influential Spanish women in the American business.

“Leadership does not mean command, but inspire”

[expand title=”In detail”] Bisila earned two Master’s degrees in International Relations and Business and a Law degree from Universidad CEU San Pablo. She has a true passion for creatively harnessing the cooperation and power of the business community to achieve sustainable change. She works closely with EMPRETEC, a UN program to empower women in emerging and developing countries. Bisila is also the founder and chairperson of The Bisila Bokoko African Literacy Project, non-profit organization whose mission is to promote literacy among the African people.[/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]With 15 years of experience as a catalyst for change and structuring strategic partnerships, creating and forging new opportunities for organisations in NY and across the globe, Bisila has proven to be an effective powerhouse as a global brand ambassador, spokesperson and business developer

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[expand title=”How she presents”]An experienced speaker at conferences the world over, Bisila has a unique presence and charisma and provides invaluable business insight to events. Bisila tailors each presentation to precisely suit each individual client.

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International Human Rights Advocate

Bianca Jagger is an International Human Rights Advocate. She has campaigned for over 20 years to expose atrocities against civilian populations throughout the world. In 2004 Bianca Jagger received the World Achievement Award from President Gorbachev for her Worldwide Commitment to Human Rights, Social and Economic Justice and Environmental Causes.

“Bianca Jagger is a model of what it means to be a concerned world citizen” William Shulz, Executive Director, Amnesty International

[expand title=”In detail”] Bianca Jagger was born in Nicaragua, educated in France, and is the embodiment of loyalty not to one country or region but to the globe itself and to the welfare of all its citizens. She is a Council of Europe Goodwill Ambassador, Chair of the World Future Council and Bianca Jagger Human Rights Foundation, and a member of the Director’s Leadership Council of Amnesty International US.[/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]She urges audiences to be more aware and proactive against the social injustices forced upon their fellow man; emphasizing her belief that one person can make a difference. Bianca Jagger is a constant traveller to the most remote countries of the globe on missions of justice and mercy and a devoted environmentalist,[/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]Bianca Jagger inspires audiences as she recounts the experiences that have changed and shaped her life. [/expand]

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Former Head of MI5

Dame Eliza Manningham-Buller headed MI5 from 2002 to 2007, leading the organisation though substantial change in the wake of 9/11 and the growing threat from Al-Qaeda. MI5 doubled in size, opened eight new offices and altered its approach to the professional development of staff with the establishment of a training academy. In 2008 Eliza Manningham-Buller became a cross-bench Peer and a Governor of the Wellcome Trust.

“An expert on Leadership and Change Management”

[expand title=”In detail”] Earlier in her career, Eliza led the Service’s investigation into the Lockerbie bombing. She served in Washington during the first Gulf war, returning to establish MI5’s intelligence effort against the Provisional IRA in mainland Britain. She joined the board and over time assumed lead responsibility for work on Irish terrorism, surveillance, technical collection, finance and IT – becoming Deputy Director General in charge of intelligence operations in 1997.[/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]Eliza is an experienced speaker and seminar leader on platforms around the globe, an effective performer with a clear and valuable message. She speaks authoritatively on all aspects of leadership – great leaders, leadership development, and strategic leadership.[/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]Renowned for being thought provoking and dynamic, Eliza brings a clear and invaluable perspective to this most current of topics.[/expand]

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Former Director General MI5

Dame Stella Rimington DCB was formerly Director General of the Security Service (MI5). In her controversial autobiography, ‘Open Secret’, she recites entertaining stories of disguises and spying, and stamping documents with the word ‘Secret’ to tempt Russian agents. While with MI5, she led on counter-espionage and work against terrorism. A policy of greater openness was pursued so that the Service’s responsibilities were clearer to the public.

“Impressive exemplar of fortitude and success”

[expand title=”In detail”] Dame Stella worked in all the main fields of the Security Service’s responsibilities – counter-subversion, counter-espionage and counter-terrorism – becoming successively Director of all three branches. She was appointed Director General of MI5 in 1992, the first woman to take the post and the first Director General to be publicly named. Dame Stella received a DCB, Dame Commander of Bath, in 1995. She was a non-executive director of Marks and Spencer Plc from 1997-2004 and of BG Group from 1997 until May 2005. She was also an Associate Director of CPS, where she provided executive coaching and mentoring.[/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]Exploring the relationship between leadership and management, she unveils strategies that you can successfully apply to the ever-changing work environment. Her proven capability of gathering intelligence, while balancing risk and security, provides tremendous business analogies for you to draw on.
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[expand title=”How she presents”]Her sharp mind and great sense of humour ensure that serious points are brought to you in an absorbing way. Her straightforward approach and friendly manner are combined with an informed and intelligent view. She tailors her speech and is happy to take questions.[/expand]

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President FC Barcelona 2003 – 2010

Joan Laporta is the protagonist and the initiator of one of the most outstanding cases of organizational transformation, business success and achievements in sports. From 2003 to 2010 he was the President of FC Barcelona, one of the world’s most powerful brands and leading football clubs. During his mandate the club won mayor competitions and leagues and increased their budget and membership significantly. Following his role at FC Barcelona, Joan founded and owned the law consultancy Laporta & Arbós Advocats Associates.

“One of the most inspiring experts on goal achieving, teamwork and change”

[expand title=”In detail”] Joan has a degree in Law from the University of Barcelona and a Master in Corporate Law. After his time as the President of Barcelona, Joan stepped into the world of politics and was elected President of Democràcia Catalana. He also was a member of the Catalonian Parliament and in 2011 he was elected councillor of the City Council of Barcelona. [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]In 2003, a new generation of young and dynamic executives joined Barcelona to generate a groundbreaking change. They popularised the expression “virtuous circle” which aimed to strengthen the club economically and socially. In his presentations Joan Laporta explains how to reach excellence through commitment, teamwork and motivation. [/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]A passionate speaker and natural leader, Joan Laporta is in great demand to speak at prestigious events around the globe.[/expand]

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Authority on Asia & Global Affairs

Kishore Mahbubani is currently the Dean and Professor in the Practice of Public Policy at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKY SPP) at the National University of Singapore. Before this, he served in the Singapore Foreign Ministry from 1971 to 2004, where he was Permanent Secretary from 1993 to 1998. In 2010, Prof Mahbubani was named by Foreign Policy in November 2010 as one of the top 100 Global Thinkers.

“A gifted diplomat, a student of history and philosophy, a provocative writer and an intuitive thinker”

[expand title=”In detail”] Prof. Mahbubani graduated in philosophy from Singapore and Canada and served as a Fellow of the Center for International Affairs in Harvard University from 1991 to 1992. The Foreign Policy Association Medal was awarded to him in New York in June 2004. He was also listed as one of the top 100 public intellectuals in the world by Foreign Policy and Prospect magazines in September 2005 and was featured in the Financial Times list of Top 50 individuals who would shape the debate on the future of capitalism.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]As a career diplomat, a writer and a scholar, Kishore Mahbubani has vast experience working at highest political level around the world. In his presentations he offers invaluable advice to organisations on the challenges facing China and Asia as well as Asia’s role in the global economic landscape.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]An accomplished speaker, Prof. Mahbubani’s presentations are seamlessly put together and loaded with useful insights and ideas.[/expand]

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British Astronaut

Michael Foale is the British born astronaut who sprang to public attention whilst on board the Mir spacestation. Michael graduated from Cambridge University with a BA in Physics and a doctorate in Laboratory Astrophysics, While a postgraduate at Cambridge University he participated in the organisation and execution of scientific scuba diving projects. With the co-operation of the Greek Government he participated in one expedition and led another surveying underwater antiquities in Greece. In the autumn of 1981 he participated as a volunteer diver in the under water exploration of the 1543 ocean galleon, “The Mary Rose”, learning excavation and survey techniques in very low visibility conditions.

[expand title=”In detail”] Wishing to pursue a career in the U.S. Space Programme, Michael moved to Houston, Texas, to work on Space Shuttle navigation problems at McDonnell Douglas Aircraft Corporation. In June 1983, Michael joined NASA Johnson Space Centre in the payload operations area of the Mission Operations Directorate. In his capacity as payload officer in the Missions Control Centre, he was responsible for payload operations on Space Shuttle missions STS-5IG, 51-1, 61-B and 61-C.

Selected as an astronaut candidate by NASA in June 1987, Michael completed a one-year training and evaluation programme in August 1988. Before his first flight he flew the Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory (SAIL) simulator to provide verification and testing of the shuttle flight software, and later developed crew rescue and integration operations for International Space Station Alpha. He has served as Deputy Chief of the Missions Development Branch in the Astronaut Office, and Head of the Astronaut Office Science Support Group. In preparation for a long-duration flight on the Russian Space Station Mir, Foale trained at the Cosmonaut Training Centre, Star City, Russia. A veteran of four space flights, Foale has logged over 160 days in space including 10-1/2 hours of EVA. He was a mission specialist on STS-45, STS-56 and STS-63, and served as Board Engineer 2 on Mir 24.
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