The Leading Speakers Bureau

Vice President, Creative Inc. Walt Disney

Duncan Wardle has worked for the Walt Disney Company for over 25 years, most recently as Vice President of Innovation & Creativity. The innovation catalysts are engaged by Disney Parks, ESPN, ABC, Pixar, Marvel and the Disney Studios, leveraging a unique design thinking process to increase the capacity for innovative and creative thinking, capturing unlikely connections that deliver unique insights, sparking revolutionary new ideas.

“Its about creating better ideas faster and enjoying the process along the way”

[expand title=”In detail”] Duncan graduated from Edinburgh Napier University in 1986 and began his career with Disney. Prior to heading up the Innovation & Creativity team, Duncan was Vice President of Global PR and has served Disney in an executive capacity in London, Paris, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Los Angeles and most recently Shanghai.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Thinking Differently – Do you ever wonder why most of your best ideas come to you in the shower? Have you ever wanted to be faster and more nimble to market? Or wondered how Walt Disney came up with the idea of Disneyland or how Pixar comes up with the ideas for so many of their movies? Or perhaps found yourself amazed at how some companies develop killer insights that enable them to break into major new categories. Building on over 25 years of experience with the Walt Disney Co. Duncan creates an immersive, engaging forum that will not only answer these questions but leave you with the tools to take on your challenges in new and different ways that deliver tangible results.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Acknowledging the 3 preferred learning styles: auditory, visual and kinesthetic, Duncan fully immerses the audience in a participatory workshop/forum to ensure they take away real tools they can use. He is also a very engaging, entertaining and motivational speaker.[/expand]

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CEO of Rinspeed & Unconventional Business Visionary

So what kind of car you would like? One that shrinks for easy parking? A four-seater that turns into a pick-up at the touch of a button? Or would you like seats that lean into the curves? Well, they all exist. Swiss inventor Frank Rinderknecht comes up with a different curiosity every year. With his company Rinspeed, he has a habit of unveiling a world’s first and most innovative that is guaranteed not to go unnoticed. In 2010, Rinspeed revealed its quirky BamBoo concept, which is bound to evoke plenty of admiration when it makes its debut at the 2011 Geneva motor show.

“We want to set trends–we don’t want to follow”
Frank M. Rinderknecht

[expand title=”In detail”] In 1979 Frank founded Rinspeed Inc. and appeared for the first time at the Geneva International Motor Show. Today Rinspeed is a successful automotive consulting business which creates special products and conversions and is internationally renowned for extraordinary concept cars. Rinspeed also focuses on the use of new materials and eco-friendly energies and engines. The Swiss are among the world’s pioneers in the area of hydropower – his car creations sQuba is a zero emission car.
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[expand title=”What he offers you”]The pioneering Swiss car designer shows how dreams become reality. Frank analyses the structures of communication and leadership in organisations and employs the model of extraordinary concepts in the corporate life. His presentations also offer insights into his belief that emotions are an important factor of success – they inspire creativity and innovation and generate new ideas.
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[expand title=”How he presents”]Through wit and intelligence Frank will be a thought-provoking, out-of-the-box thinking speaker at your event.
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Editor-at-Large at WIRED

David Rowan is the Editor-at-Large of WIRED UK, the award-winning technology and trends magazine covering innovation and the people and businesses that are building the future. He served as Editor-in-Chief of WIRED for almost eight years, since its launch.

“We are all ‘disrupters’ now!”

[expand title=”In detail”] David studies all the things that are, or soon will be changing business, culture and every aspect of our lives from AI to VR. He investigates the companies and entrepreneurs changing our world and has recently spent time with the founders of WhatsApp, LinkedIn, Google, Spotify, Xiaomi, Nest and countless other disruptive start-ups from Tel Aviv to Shenzhen. He speaks and moderates, at international conferences and has also addressed the TEDs, he frequently contributes on Newsnight and the Today programme. He also writes a monthly column for GQ magazine. David has curated an exhibition of British creative talent at the Government’s Cabinet Forum conference. David’s most recent awards include Techmark Technology Journalist of the Year, DMA Editor of the Year and BSME Editor of the Year in 2012.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]David demonstrates innovative concepts and ideas for commercial success. In his presentations he considers how technology is disrupting every industry and market, how apps change consumer behaviour and why ‘social commerce’ is killing traditional marketing. He also looks at how technology has evolved and reveals the ten trends that will change your sector in the next decade – and what you should be doing now to prepare. He also explains how organisations have to adapt, and how they can foster a culture of innovation.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]David is renowned for his insightful, inspirational and thought-provoking speaking style. His presentations are lively and quick-paced. He is in great demand by corporate clients the world over.[/expand]

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Steven Roth Professor of Management; Faculty Director, Tuck Center for Leadership

Sydney Finkelstein is the Steven Roth Professor of Management and Director of the Center for Leadership at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College, where he teaches courses on Leadership and Strategy. He is also the Faculty Director of the flagship Tuck Executive Program.

“One of the world’s top ranking management gurus”

[expand title=”In detail”] Professor Finkelstein is a Consultant and Speaker to senior executives around the globe, as well as an Executive Coach, focusing on leadership, talent development, corporate governance, learning from mistakes, and strategies for growth. He is a Fellow of the Academy of Management and listed on the “Thinkers 50”, the world’s most prestigious ranking of leadership gurus. He has been featured in the FinancialTimes, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, Harvard Business Review, Business Week, the London Times, Toronto Globe and Mail, Inc, Fast Company, and CNBC, and is a regular columnist for the BBC.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Professor Finkelstein is a recognised thought leader on leadership, strategy, and corporate governance, and is listed in the “World’s Top 25 Leadership Gurus.” He regularly consults with firms on strategy and leadership.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Professor Finkelstein tailors each presentation to the needs of his audience. [/expand]

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Leading Authority on Management Development, named “The Management Pope”

Reinhard Sprenger is the “The Management Pope” – a renowned European management expert and advisor on shaping future management and guiding culture in enterprises. A lecturer at the Universities of Berlin, Bochum, Essen and Cologne, his ideas of self-accountability have shaken up the management world both in Europe and the US.

“Germany’s most read author on Management” – Der Spiegel

[expand title=”In detail”] Reinhard Sprenger studied philosophy, psychology, economics, history and sports at the Ruhr University Bochum, receiving his PhD in 1985 from the Free University Berlin. His books have sold more than half a million copies in Germany alone. The continued success of his books has made him one of the most-read management authors. His previous positions include being Executive of Human resource development and Training at 3M in Germany and scientific advisor for the Ministry of Culture in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. His expertise has been sought from numerous national and international firms such as Coca-Cola, 3M, Mobil Oil, Philip Morris, Daimler Benz, Hewlett Packard and Siemens.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Reinhard Sprenger embraces the vision of an individualised company, which places people as the main focus. “Leading” according to Reinhard, means above all encouraging, finding the right task for the individual to provoke superior achievement. He squarely confronts the notion that trust is a necessary foundation for individuals and organisations to maximise their potential over time[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]His high-powered verbal style includes trailblazing formulas such as “guidance cannot be ordered, guidance is selected”. His forward-thinking approach to change in international management structures leaves his international audiences inspired.[/expand]

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Co-founder, President and Chief Strategy Officer, DigitalGenius

Mikhail Naumov is an entrepreneurial leader with an international background, who develops solutions in artificial intelligence and natural language processing and is passionate about growing value-driven companies with scalable and disruptive business models.

““Forbes 30 Under 30” list for Enterprise Technology”

[expand title=”In detail”] Mikhail is President and Chief Strategy Officer of DigitalGenius, a global supplier of artificial intelligence technologies to Fortune 500 companies, governments and banks.At DigitalGenius, his team enables companies to automate repetitive intelligent labour by creating conversational automation solutions in customer service and experience, and then expanding to other key areas.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Mikhail brings emerging technologies to life and is passionate about building and growing values-driven companies with scalable and socially responsible business models.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Mikhail’s highly informative presentations are insightful and eloquently delivered.[/expand]

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Economist&Professor, Wharton School, University Of Pennsylvania

Michael Useem helps leaders develop the capabilities required for making good and timely decisions in unpredictable and stressful environments, in moments when leadership really matters. He is the author and co-author of many books on leadership and management.

“We can all become strategic leaders if we stay on the right path.”

[expand title=”In detail”] Michael’s university teaching includes MBA and executive-MBA courses on management and leadership, and he offers programmes on leadership and governance for managers in the United States, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. He works on leadership development with many companies and organisations in the private, public and non-profit sectors. Michael’s programmes are extremely effective at developing deeper decision-making resources in leaders. Heis co-anchor for a weekly programmeLeadership in Action on SiriusXM Radio. [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Michael presents true stories of management and leadership challenges—from the White House to the boardroom, from the trading floor to fire fighting to mountaineering. He brings the audience right up to the crucial leadership moment in the story, and then engages the audience interactively to propose possible solutions. Finally, he compares the participants’ ideas to the real decisions and outcomes of the moment and analyses the resulting themes. The result: lessons that managers can apply to their own situations in a practical way.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Michael is an excellent speaker with a trademark interactive approach based on the stories of real crisis events. He truly engages his audiences, drawing them more deeply into their own leadership potential. [/expand]

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Expert in Customer Service

Linda Moir has worked in a number of high profile businesses that have developed extraordinary reputations for outstanding customer service. In 2012, Linda led the front of house Event Services team at the London Olympic and Paralympic Games where 15,000 volunteer Games makers hosted 9 million spectators. As Virgin Atlantic’s Director of In Flight Services she was responsible for the airline’s award winning service. Drawing on her unique background in customer service management Lindademonstrates how to deliver exceptional performance through people.

“Linda is a practical, informal and fun Speaker”

[expand title=”In detail”] During her five years at Virgin Atlantic, Linda oversaw significant business growth whilst consistently driving the Virgin Atlantic service promise of ‘Brilliant Basics, Magic Touches’. With the support of Sir Richard Branson she revised the recruitment, training, promotion and performance management of 5,000 Cabin Crew that led to the highest recorded customer satisfaction scores. Before joining Virgin she was a Director for National Air Traffic Services during the period of transition from public to private ownership. She started her career at British Airways and was involved in the organisation’s transformation to a customer led business.[/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]Linda’s unparalleled success in customer service management serves as an inspiring model of performance delivered through people. Linda demonstrates how the connection between high levels of staff engagement leads to increased customer satisfaction and business success.[/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]Linda’s insights into her successes and experiences are invigorating and thought provokingmaking hera perfect choice at a wide range of speaking engagements.[/expand]

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Political Strategist & Campaigning Consultant

Julius van de Laar is a digital media strategist who advises clients on campaign strategy, positioning and message development, social and digital strategy. He served as President Obama‘s Youth Vote and Regional GOTV Director during the 2008 and 2012 presidential campaign in Ohio.

“One of the top 40 up-and-coming talents in German politics” Capital magazine

[expand title=”In detail”] Julius van de Laar has worked as a campaign and strategy consultant for profit and non-profit organisations.After studying Political Science and Communication in the USA, Julius dedicated two years to serving as a full-time campaigner on Barack Obama’s presidential campaign. As Chief of Staff in Ohio, Julius also worked for Barack Obama’s second election campaign. Ohio is one of the key swing states – and was ultimately decisive in returning Obama to the White House for a second term as President of the United States. After Obama’s election victory, he brought his expertise as an external consultant to the 2009 German Bundestag election campaign. He subsequently held the post of Director and Spokesman of the German section of the campaign organization Avaaz.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Media strategist Julius will share a behind the scenes look into some of the most effective online and social media tactics, presenting case studies and concrete tools that are used today by leading political campaigns. Speaking about innovative campaigning strategies and provide a first-hand account on how campaigns empower millions to become active in the political process by giving a voice to anyone with an internet connection.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Julius is an engaging and innovative speaker able to apply his insights and experience to the work of others with wit and passion.[/expand]

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President/CEO of The Jim Stengel Company

Jim Stengel is the former Global Marketing Officer of Procter & Gamble.In 2008, Jim left his prestigious role at P&G. This bold move was Jim’s first step on a new mission and he founded of The Jim Stengel Company, both a think tank and a consultancy.

“One of the world’s most respected business executives”

[expand title=”In detail”] P&G sales doubled during Jim’s tenure as GMO. Highly regarded, his leadership was recognised when P&G was honoured as the 2008 Cannes International Advertising Festival Advertiser of the Year for the first time in company history. He was recognised in 2003, 2004, 2006, and 2007 by Advertising Age as the number one “Power Player” in marketing. In 2005, he was recognised as Grand Marketer of the Year by Brandweek magazine, the same year P&G was named Marketer of the Year by Advertising Age magazine. Jim was named to the first-ever Fortune Executive Dream Team in 2011.Jim loves building capability with business leaders, especially the next generation. In 2009, he was appointed adjunct professor of marketing at the UCLA Anderson School of Management. [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Jim Stengel reveals the secrets to sustainable growth by connecting brands and people on a global scale. Groups of all sizes have benefited from his insights on leadership, marketing, innovation, disruption, and the role of the CMO and CEO.He shares his passion for growing business through a focus on higher ideals.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Jim’s presentations are inspirational, interactive and engaging, drawing high marks from participants. He tailors his talks to the occasion and takes any requirements needed for his clients into careful consideration. [/expand]

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