The Leading Speakers Bureau

Paracyclist, Ex Formula One Driver

Alex Zanardi is an Italian racing driver and paracyclist. Eleven years after losing both legs in a horrific Champ Car accident, he claimed a gold medal in the first of his Paralympic handbike events in London 2012. Using a carbon-fibre handbike, he designed and built himself, he was able to achieve the goal he set himself some eight years ago when a sport he took up in order to fulfil a spur-of-the-moment decision to enter the New York marathon became the new focus of his life.

“Alex Zanardi – A true champion”

[expand title=”In detail”] He won two CART championship titles in North America during the late 1990s. He also spent some time as a Formula One driver. He returned to racing less than two years after the accident, competing in the FIA World Touring Car Championship between 2003 and 2009. Switching sports, he took up competition in handbiking, and in 2011, he won his first senior international handbiking medal, the silver medal in the H4 (Handbike) category time trial at the UCI World Road Para-Cycling Championships.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Despite all his adversity, Alex reinvented himself to become a champion once more. He shares his achievements and proves how there is no reason why we can’t do the same regardless of how impossible our goals may appear. He’s the ultimate example of someone who made the best of his situation and thrived.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Alex is an inspirational and effective corporate speaker. He talks in depth about his experiences and inspires audiences with his stories, told in a very grounded, simple an authentic way[/expand]
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India’s Legendary Cricketer

Kapil Dev is a former Indian cricket player. He has been described as the greatest pace bowler India has produced and their greatest fast-bowling all-rounder. He captained India to Cricket World Cup victory in 1983 and holds the record for the most Test match wickets between 1994 and 1999. His contribution to Indian cricket is so immense that the Wisden magazine named him the Indian Cricketer of the Century.

“One of the most prolific cricket all-rounders”

[expand title=”In detail”] Kapil holds many Indian and world records. But what really made him unique was his uncomplicated approach to the game whether batting, bowling, fielding or captaining. He blended this approach with immense determination, pride and courage. This combination made him the first true superstar of Indian cricket. In 2007, Kapil joined the breakaway Indian Cricket League, which led to his removal from the NCA. Now he is a bowling consultant and served as chairman of National Cricket Academy for two years. Kapil was also India’s national cricket coach between 1999 2000.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Kapil is in great demand on the corporate circuit where his skills as a motivational and after dinner speaker are highly valued. [/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Charismatic and highly motivating, Kapil’s presentations are filled with anecdotes from his cricket career.[/expand]
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Former South African International Cricketer

Gary Kirsten was an international cricketer best known by his peers as a man on whom the team could depend in times of crisis. As an opening batsman for South Africa his ability to withstand enormous pressure from the fastest bowlers in the world to the guile and cunning of the most crafted spinners was legendary. In 2011, Gary was appointed the head coach of the South African national cricket team.

“Gary Kirsten was awarded the Wisden Cricketer of the year in 2004”

[expand title=”In detail”] After his retirement Gary focussed on achieving his ambition of combining cricket specific coaching techniques with those applied in other sports and the business world. In playing 101 Tests and 185 ODI’s Gary gained an insight to a world understood by very few. By his own admission his ability and technique needed to be complimented with a temperament that demanded absolute dedication to continual self-improvement and reflection. This period moulded his outlook on the game and began a process that will forever be known as his finest hour, that being the coach of Team India that won the 2011 World Cup.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Gary is able to connect to all levels of the business and sporting spectrum. He is driven by a desire to understand what creates sporting success and enjoys looking beyond the traditional environs of any sports. His own experience of executive coaching in the business world, combined with his experience on the field is the reason he was appointed as India’s head coach.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]His attention to detail and structured approach makes him an effective communicator. His articulate and eloquent manner combined with a presence endears him to all. Known for his straightforward approach, Gary has the knack of simplifying often complicated issues. His passion for excellence and accountability is infectious.[/expand]
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Former Formula One World Champion

Niki Lauda is probably known as one of the best Formula 1 racing drivers the sport has ever seen. This three-time World Champion survived one of the worst, fiery crashes ever seen in Formula 1 only to walk away from a near-certain 4th title in 1976. His triumphant second career in the mid-1980s with McLaren saw him as the elder statesman of F1 and the tutor of young “Professor” Alain Prost.

“To finish first, one must first finish.”

[expand title=”In detail”] After recapturing the F1 title in 1977 with Ferrari, Niki abruptly quit to join Bernie Ecclestone’s emergent Brabham-Alfa Romeo team. He won two races for Brabham before, once again, abruptly retiring in 1979 to devote all his efforts to his then-fledgling airline, Lauda Air. He could not resist the urge to make a comeback, and in 1982 he rejoined Formula 1, winning his third GP after returning and the 1984 title. Finally giving in to the years, he retired for good with 25 GP wins after the 1985 season. After retiring he returned to running his airline, Lauda Air. Ousted by boardroom politics after a sale to majority partner Austrian Airlines in 1999, he managed the Jaguar Formula One racing team 2001-2002. In late 2003, he started a new airline, Niki.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Drawing upon his experiences both as a world class racing driver and businessman, Niki entertains his audiences with his presentations in which he shows the importance of teamwork, motivation and success.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Niki Lauda is a sought after speaker at company conferences and seminars around the globe. His entertaining and motivational presentations make him a popular choice.[/expand]
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Former World Nº1 Tennis Player

Andre Agassi is a tennis prodigy. He rose to international fame, earning 60 men’s singles titles, including eight Grand Slam singles championships, over a 20-year career. A former World No. 1 player, he is the only male player ever to win all four Grand Slam titles and an Olympic gold medal. He was also a member of three winning Davis Cup teams (1990, 1992 and 1995). Andre is building a lifestyle business through endorsement relationships, joint venture investments and real estate development.

“Agassi will always be remembered as an incredible tennis player”

[expand title=”In detail”] While his tennis career took him all over the world, Agassi always stayed connected to his hometown of Las Vegas, Nevada. In 1994, at the age of 24, he created The Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation. Since retiring in 2006, Andre Agassi has increased his focus on his Foundation and on promoting education reform; creating the Andre Agassi Boys and Girls Club; and developing Team Agassi, a tennis program that nurtures professional players and puts college within reach. In 2011, he was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame for the Class of 2011.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Andre Agassi is truly a keynote speaker that makes a difference. He candidly discusses his illustrious tennis career, shares insights and experiences from his own life, or explains the goals and successes of his highly-regarded charitable foundation.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Andre Agassi has a warm, engaging presence that sets him apart from other celebrity speakers. [/expand]
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Chairman of the Organising Committee for the 2006 World Cup

Franz Beckenbauer is internationally known as a world cup winning footballer and coach. Most recently he headed the successful bid by Germany to organize the World Cup. In 2006 he showed true leadership skills as chairman of the organising committee for the successfully run World Cup. He visited 48 of the 64 games, flying from stadium to stadium in a helicopter.

“No other footballer, as an innovator and as a winner, ever reached such heights as Franz Beckenbauer”

[expand title=”In detail”] The peak of achievement for Franz was captaining his country to World Cup victory in his home city of Munich in 1974. He was voted European Footballer of the Year for the second time after his hat-trick of European Cups in 1976. He had won a record 103 caps for West Germany when, in 1977, he went to play for the New York Cosmos. In 1983 he retired from playing and was appointed the West German national manager.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Franz offers audiences great insights into the build up and the bid for Germany to host the World Cup in 2006 as well as the inside story behind the most successful World Cup ever. He shows decision makers how their organizations could benefit from the lessons he learned in staging the world’s largest sporting event.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]An inspirational and experienced speaker, Franz Beckenbauer is highly sought-after by business leaders eager to benefit from his impressive leadership skills and apply his strategies to create successful business teams.[/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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Three Times World Referee of the Year (2004, 2005& 2007)

Markus Merk is the three times World Referee of the Year. He is the seven-time winner of the German Referee of the Year Award and the record holder in games refereed in the Bundesliga. He refereed the Final of the Euro 2004 in Portugal, between the host nation and Greece, there as the Ambassador for the International Red Cross. Markus provides basic dental care to the poor in India helping the Indienhilfe Kaiserslautern, which erects schools, housings and basic medical care. For the 2010-2011 season, he is the main referee commentator for Lig TV (which has the rights to the Turkish Super League).

In 2005, Merk was awarded the German Federal Cross of Merit in recognition of his service to football and his charity work in India

[expand title=”In detail”] In 1988 Merk, 25, was appointed the youngest Bundesliga referee ever. Four years later he became a FIFA referee and officiated at the 1992 Barcelona Summer Olympics. Markus also refereed the 1997 Cup Winners’ Finals, the UEFA Champions League 2003 final, the Euro 2004 final, the DFB Cup Final 2003, the Olympic Games in 1992 in Barcelona and the EUFA Cup Final in 1997 between Paris St. German & FC Barcelona. [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]As one of the most highly respected decision makers in football today, Markus Merk, originally a dentist and now a dedicated triathlete, is used to working under intense scrutiny. He offers his audiences insights into how to constantly achieve the best results.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]In Markus’ colourful presentations he talks, tells anecdotes and shows images about his experiences in sport and relates these to life in general. His charismatic, professional, relaxed and engaging manner makes him a highly sought-after speaker at events throughout the world.[/expand]
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Professional Tennis Player

Roger Federer is a Swiss professional tennis player who held the ATP number one position for a record 237 consecutive weeks, and 285 weeks overall. As of July 2011, he is ranked World No. 3 by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP). He has won a men’s record 16 Grand Slam singles titles. He is one of seven male players to capture the career Grand Slam and one of three (with Andre Agassi and Rafael Nadal) to do so on three different surfaces (clay, grass and hard courts).

“Federer is considered to be the greatest tennis player of all time”

[expand title=”In detail”] As a result of Federer’s successes in tennis, he was named the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year for a record four consecutive years (2005–2008). He was named as a 2010 Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in recognition of his leadership, accomplishments and contributions to society. He supports a number of charities. He established the Roger Federer Foundation in 2003 to help disadvantaged people and to promote sports. Federer is currently number 25 on Forbes top 100 celebrities.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Roger addresses conferences and thrills and motivates his audience with his great success story. He explains how he managed to reach the top of the professional; tennis circuit and how we can achieve our own personal and professional goals.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Roger’s relaxed presentation style and professionalism make him highly sought-after as a conference and after dinner speaker[/expand]
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Former Tennis Champion & Sports Commentator

Vijay Amritraj is a former tennis player and sports commentator.

He was, for over two decades, one of the most illustrious tennis players in India and topped the Asian charts for 14 consecutive years. He is known today for his exceptional sports commentary and for developing a successful multimedia business.

“Tennis gave me my greatest education”

[expand title=”In detail”] He played at Wimbledon for 17 straight years and made it to the quarterfinals in 1973 and 1981. He was again a quarter finalist in the 1973 and 1974 U.S. Open Tournaments. He has also led India to the 1974 and 1987 Davis Cup Finals. To nurture and develop young talent in tennis, he founded the Britannia Amritraj Tennis Academy in Chennai. He has been five-time President of the ATP Tour Players Council. [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]One of the greatest tennis legends in India, Vijay demonstrates how you can achieve success through determination and will power. Audiences can benefit from his remarkable experience as both a professional tennis player and successful entrepreneur and businessman. [/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Charming and professional Vijay is a thorough public speaker, a diplomat nonpareil, and a smart multi-media entrepreneur.[/expand]
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