The Leading Speakers Bureau

Head of the Society and Technology Research Group, DaimlerChrysler AG

Eckard Minx is one Europe’s leading experts on innovation and future technologies and is currently head of DaimlerChrysler’s Society and Technology Research Ground. Established in 1978, the Group has offices in Berlin, Germany, California and Japan and addresses the issue of future mobility and examines developments that will shape the face of tomorrow’s markets.

“One of Europe’s most respected innovators”

[expand title=”In detail”] After studying economics and law Eckard worked for multinational companies in Saudi Arabia and Algeria before he started working for DaimerChrysler in 1980. He is co-editor of the journal Organisationsentwicklung, lecturer at the FU Berlin and TU Berlin as well as honorary professor for sociology and technology at the University of Technology and Economics in Berlin. [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]A specialist in scenario planning Prof. Minx works with corporations and institutions around the globe to create alternative perspectives of the future and develop innovative strategies based on the latest technologies.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Prof. Minx delivers his expertly researched presentations with flair and precision. He offers audiences great insight into new developments and the very latest in cutting edge technologies.[/expand]

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Italian Journalist & Writer

Roberto Saviano is the author of the book that inspired the prize-winning movie Gomorra. He uses literature and reportage to analyse reality and his first book, ‘Gomorra’, soon became a bestseller. In 2008, six Nobel Prize-awarded authors and intellectuals (Orhan Pamuk, Dario Fo, Rita Levi Montalcini, Desmond Tutu, Günter Grass, and Mikhail Gorbachev) published an article in which they say that they side with Saviano against Camorra.

Because of his courageous stance, he is considered a “national hero” by author-philosopher Umberto Eco

[expand title=”In detail”] Roberto Saviano graduated in philosophy at the University of Naples Federico II. As a journalist, he collaborates with L’Espresso and La Repubblica, and other magazines including: Nuovi Argomenti, Lo Straniero, Nazione Indiana and Sud. The New York Times placed ‘Gomorrah’ amongst the most important books of 2007, while The Economist included it among the hundred books of the year. Saviano is the only Italian to be placed in both lists. As a consequence of the book’s outstanding success and of its uncompromising attack on organized crime, Roberto Saviano received a number of serious death threats that obliged the Italian authorities to provide him with 24-hour police protection.
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[expand title=”What he offers you”]Roberto Saviano employs prose and news-reporting style to narrate the story of the Camorra (a powerful Neapolitan mafia-like organization), exposing its territory and business connections. He provides insights into his personal journey into the violent international empire of Naple’s organized crime system. With his shaved head, dark close-cropped beard and piercing eyes, Saviano has become a symbol of the fight against organized crime for a new generation of Italians.[/expand]

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Roberto Saviano’s presentations are fascinating and delivered in his unique style, powerful and intriguing.[/expand]

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British Award Winning Author

David Almond is an acclaimed author who has written several novels for children and young adults from 1998, each one receiving critical acclaim. He is one of thirty children’s writers to win the biennial, international Hans Christian Anderson Award, “the world’s most prestigious prize in children’s literature”. For the 70th anniversary of the British Carnegie Medal in 2007, his debut novel ‘Skellig’ (1998) was named one of the top ten Medal-winning works. David’s work is translated into more than 20 languages.

“One of the finest British writers”

[expand title=”In detail”] Educated at the University of East Anglia and Newcastle Polytechnic, after graduating, David worked as a teacher before moving to a remote artists’ commune in Norfolk to concentrate on his writing. He is an experienced creative writing teacher and has worked for the Arvon Foundation, for schools, colleges and universities and is in demand as a speaker at festivals and conferences around the world. David is the recipient of numerous prestigious global awards.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]A powerful storyteller, David has lectured, done extensive book tours and has taught at several educational institutions around the globe. His emotional and magical writing make him an extraordinary guest at a wide range of events. [/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]David Almond is a wonderful writer whose highly popular and critically acclaimed work have made him a firm favourite among young readers, teachers and parents and a sought after speaker at conferences around the globe.[/expand]

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Former Vice President of the European Commission for the Digital Agenda for Europe

Neelie Kroes was the Vice President of the European Commission, responsible for the Digital Agenda for Europe from 2010 to 2014. This portfolio included the information and communications technology (ICT) and telecommunications sectors ensuring trust and security for the Internet and new technologies. Currently, Ms. Kroes leads StartupDelta, Europe’s gateway for disruptive startups and fast growing tech companies based in The Netherlands.

“One of Europe’s leading experts on Digital and disruptive startups”

[expand title=”In detail”] Ms. Kroes’ political career started at the Rotterdam Municipal Council. She was elected as a Member of the Dutch Parliament and served as Minister for Transport, Public Works and Telecommunication. After politics, Ms. Kroes was appointed President of Nyenrode University and served on various company boards, including Lucent Technologies, Volvo and P&O Nedlloyd. Since 2004, Ms. Kroes has worked for the European Commission. As a Competition Commissioner she was responsible for ensuring a level playing field for business in Europe and fair prices and wide choice for consumers. Her charity work included advising the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund and World Cancer Research Fund.[/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]In her presentations Ms. Kroes analyses the challenges that startup’s face to grow. She also covers topics such as Internet security, getting Digital and becoming world class in research and innovation explaining how to make the most of the Internet to support economy and society.[/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]Eloquent and highly inspiring, Neelie Kroes’ presentations leave audiences focused and ready to take action.[/expand]

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RenownedCanadian Angel Investor, Advisor, Entrepreneur &Strategist

Salim Ismail is a sought-after speaker, strategist and entrepreneur. His last company, Angstro, was sold to Google in 2010. He is the founding Executive Director of Singularity University and spent the last six years building out this unique organization serving as its Global Ambassador, creating relationships in over a dozen countries. SU is based at NASA Ames and is training a new generation of leaders to manage exponentially growing technologies.

“Salim lays out the blueprint for wild advancements and how they will come to forever alter society”

[expand title=”In detail”] He started his career as a software engineer with CSC Europe and then joined ITIM Associates, a boutique consulting firm headquartered in London, as a business and technology strategy consultant. In 2007-2008, Salim was a Vice President at Yahoo, where he launched and ran Brickhouse, Yahoo’s internal incubator. His team analyzed over 3000 ideas around the company and launched four major products during his tenure. After building and operating two other early-stage companies, in 2002 Salim founded the New York Grant Company as a response to 9/11. In its first year, NYGC attracted over 400 clients and delivered over $12 million of federal grants to the local economy. [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Co-founder of Confabb, PubSub Concepts and Angstro, Salim Ismail is a sought-after speaker who provides audiences with an insight on the future of breakthrough technologies and their impact on enterprises and society in general.Salim has a unique perspective and track record on how to innovate, turn cutting edge ideas into thriving start-ups and apply leading edge thinking to invigorate entire industries. His work has been featured in top publications and he advises Fortune 500 companies and world governments.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]His extensive experience in the global scenario and his leadership skills make Salim Ismail acaptivating speaker and sought-after commentator at prestigious conferences around the globe.Singularity University’s goal is “to educate, inspire and empower a new generation of leaders to apply exponential technologies to address humanity’s grand challenges”and Salim personifies this.[/expand]

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Founder, The Analogies Project

Bruce Hallas is the creator and founder of The Analogies Project and the owner and principle consultant at Marmalade Box Ltd. His expertise has most recently been called upon by Hewlett Packards Research and Innovation Labs, the UK’s Economic & Social Research Council and UK CyberSecurity KnowledgeTransfer Network to drive public policy debate. He has also been called upon, by both BBC radio and television, to comment upon information security related incidents.

“One of the sharpest minds in Info Security”

[expand title=”In detail”] Bruce’s formal training was in law, finance and marketing. This, combined with experience in business development and resource management, led him to develop information and people centric approach to security where achieving acceptable levels of risk, and not 100% security, was his objective. His research, in particularly into Integrated Regional Information Security Strategies in 2007 and the challenges of SME adoption of security best practice brought him into contact with the UK House of Parliament, national policy advisors, information security and assurance bodies, leading IT securityindustry vendors, cyber security thinktanks, research councils andEuropean government.
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[expand title=”What he offers you”]Bruce helps executive management to understand information security risks to their strategic and operational objectives providing insights into opportunities and challenges with regards to information security management. He puts down his success in information security to storytelling, facts, figures, metaphors and delivering against expectations.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]In his presentations, Bruce likes to draw parallels between events happening around us, and information security, and raise awareness of these through Twitter, his blog and The Analogies Project.[/expand]

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Paraplegic Motivational Speaker

Deepa Malik is an Indian paraplegic swimmer, biker and athlete. She won numerous accolades for her participation in various adventure sports, and whether it is swimming against the strong Yamuna current, riding a bike or even taking a shot at the Paralympic Games, she has done it all. Deepa has won bronze in the Women’s Javelin Throw and was nominated in Limca Book of Records for her swimming records.

“Award winning motivational speaker”

[expand title=”In detail”] Deepa is associated with the Himalayan Motorsports Association and the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India. She drove 1700 km in 8 days in negative temperatures and was even able to sustain an altitude of 18000 feet during the Himalaya Raid which covered many difficult and remote Himalaya paths. Deepa is a member of the working group on sports and physical education of the Indian Sports Ministry. In addition, she is a successful business woman running a restaurant in Ahmed Nagar, India.[/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]Deepa’s disability has not stopped her from taking up challenges. With determination and a positive attitude, the mother of two turns adversity into opportunities and success and encourages audiences to face their fears and become the best they can despite whatever life throws at you.[/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]Combining enthusiasm with an engaging speaking style and all of her experiences in life, from the trauma of her disability to the determination to strive for success, Deepa creates an inspirational appeal amongst any audience.[/expand]

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Founder and Former CEO, Zipcar, Buzzcar and GoLoco

Robin Chase is the founder and former CEO of Zipcar, co-founder of Buzzcarand GoLoco, an online ridesharing community. Zipcar, GoLoco and Buzzcar have been seen as disruptive and innovative: they used technology and marketing to change the way people own and use cars; they changed the ways cities are lived in and built; they changed prejudices about the incompatibility of environmentalism and capitalism. She is Executive Chairman of Veniam, a vehicle communications company building the networking fabric for the Internet of Moving Things.

“She is one of the pioneers of the sharing economy”

[expand title=”In detail”] Robin served on the board of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, the National Advisory Council for Innovation & Entrepreneurship for the US Department of Commerce, the Intelligent Transportations Systems Program Advisory Committee for the US Department of Transportation, the OECD’s International Transport Forum Advisory Board, the Massachusetts Governor’s Transportation Transition Working Group, and Boston Mayor’s Wireless Task Force.Robin lectures widely, has been frequently featured in the major media, and has received many awards in the areas of innovation, design, and environment, including Time 100 Most Influential People, Fast Company Fast 50 Innovators, and BusinessWeek Top 10 Designers. [/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]Highly innovative, Robin helps individuals, companies and government understand where to look for innovation and how to enable it. She explores how rethinking “excess capacity” can be combined with technology and platforms for participation to unlock innovation, new profit centres and ultimately lead us to a sustainable planet. [/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]Robin prepares each presentation to perfectly suit each event and offers audiences a wealth of useful actionable information with real life examples honed from her own business successes.[/expand]

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Williams F1 Development Driver

Susie Wolff is the only female F1 racing driver. She is a development driver for Williams F1 and an ambassador for Wings for Life and FIA Women in Motorsport. Sheis much more than just a great race car driver; she is a brilliant role model for women making headway in a profession dominated by men. In 2013 Susie was awarded an Honorary Fellowship at the University of Edinburgh in recognition of her role as an ambassador for women in sport

“The fastest woman in the world”

[expand title=”In detail”] Her debut came in 2001, when she started with Formula Renault. In 2003, she was selected as the BRDC Rising Star and qualified as the only woman for the final round of the coveted McLaren Autosport BRDC Young Driver Award. The following year, she made the leap into the British F3 International Series. In 2006, Susie had her debut in DTM and finished her first race within the top 10. In 2012, she was appointed development driver for the Williams F1 Team. Getting the FIA Super Licence in 2014, Susie was allowed to finally really be part of Formula 1. In November 2014 Williams announced that Susie will be stepping up to the position of Official Test Driver for Williams Martini Racing for the 2015 Formula One season. [/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]Susie shares with audiences worldwide how it is possible to succeed in all areas of the sport. She is doing a magnificent job at promoting the sport to women, considering it is generally thought of as a man’s sport.[/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]Susie’s presentations are packed with ideas, constructive suggestions and real life examples. Audiences always find them revealing, exciting, inspiring and brilliant. [/expand]

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Founding Chairman of the Advanced Human Technologies Group

Ross Dawson is globally recognised as a leading futurist, entrepreneur, keynote speaker, strategy advisor, and bestselling author. He is Founding Chairman of the Advanced Human Technologies group of companies, which includes international consulting and ventures firm Advanced Human Technologies, futures think-tank Future Exploration Network, leading events company The Insight Exchange, and three more companies being developed in stealth mode.

“Proven Prescience & Ability to Stimulate New Insights”

[expand title=”In detail”] Ross has run executive education programs and lectured at numerous academic institutions around the world, including the University of Virginia, Australian Graduate School of Management, Singapore Institute of Management, Institute of Banking and Finance, and Singularity University in Silicon Valley. Ross holds a B.Sc (Hons) from Bristol University and a Grad.Dip in Applied Finance from Macquarie University, and is certified as a Master Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming. Ross frequently appears in the media, including on CNN, Bloomberg TV, SkyNews, ABC TV, New York Timesand the Today and Sunrise shows.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Ross is an engaging speaker with the ability to get people thinking beyond tomorrow. He spells out what it will take for businesses to succeed in the knowledge-based economy of the future, providing a practical framework that audiences from any services industry can understand.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Ross is a dynamic speaker who presents his ideas in an exciting and interactive manner.[/expand]

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