The Leading Speakers Bureau

Former President of Goldman Sachs

John Thornton is Professor and Director of Global Leadership at Tsinghua University in Beijing. He is a former President and Co-COO of Goldman Sachs. In 1983, Thornton founded and developed Goldman Sachs’ European mergers and acquisitions business. He served as co-CEO of Goldman Sachs International in London from 1995 to 1996 and was Chairman of Goldman Sachs Asia from 1996 to 1998. Mr Thornton is a director of Intel, Pacific Century Group, Ford Motor Company, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China and News Corporation. He is also Chairman of the Board of The Brookings Institution.

“If I can contribute to the way China evolves and how that relates to the outside world and the US, that would be a good thing”

[expand title=”In detail”] Mr Thornton earned a bachelor’s degree from Harvard College, bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Oxford University, and a master’s degree from Yale School of Management. Mr. Thornton joined Goldman Sachs in 1980 in the Mergers Department. He became a partner in 1988 and co-chief executive officer of Goldman Sachs International in 1995. He was named president and co-chief operating officer of Goldman Sachs in 1999.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]In his presentations John Thornton explains his decision to leave Wall Street and teach the Chinese elite at Tsinghua University in Beijing. He also offers audiences an insider’s view of the future of China and the vast opportunities that Asia presents to companies wishing to expand their international operations.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]An accomplished teacher, Mr Thornton’s invigorating presentations are immaculately prepared and tailored to fit individual client’s needs.[/expand]
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Expert on Risk Management, Financial Derivatives, Capital Markets

Satyajit Das is an international specialist in the area of financial derivatives, risk management and capital markets with a global reputation. He was featured in Charles Ferguson’s 2010 Oscar winning documentary Inside Job and a 2009 BBC TV documentary – Tricks with Risk. He is a frequent interviewee and widely quoted in the financial press worldwide and one of the most requested keynote speakers.

“An International Financial Expert”

[expand title=”In detail”] Satyajit Das has worked in financial markets for over 30 years. He anticipated many aspects of the global financial crisis in his 2006 book Traders, Guns & Money: Knowns and Unknowns in the Dazzling World of Derivatives. Since 1994, he has acted as a consultant to financial institutions and corporations. Between 1977 and 1994, Satyajit worked on the ‘sell side’ (Commonwealth Bank of Australia, CitiGroup and Merrill Lynch) and the ‘buy side’ (TNT Group, an Australian based international transport and logistics company).[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Satyajit Das is an experienced public speaker and recognised for his capacity to communicate complex financial subjects and trends in simple and non-technical language.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Satyajit’s speaking style coupled with an incisive understanding and enlightened capacity to explain and discuss global issues has contributed to his high popularity and reputation. He is also part of our Most Popular keynote speakers list[/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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Philosopher & Author

Alain de Botton is a writer of essayistic books that have been described as a “philosophy of everyday life”. He has written widely on philosophy, work, status, religion, love, architecture, travel, and literature. His books have been best-sellers in 30 countries and some have been turned into TV series. Alain has also opened a school in London called The School of Life, dedicated to a new vision of education.

“Everything we expected and more!”
Miles Young, Worldwide CEO, Ogilvy & Mather

[expand title=”In detail”] In his books, Alain refers both to his own experiences and ideas and to those of artists, philosophers and thinkers, informed by his deep reading in philosophy and by a novelist’s eye for small, perfect moments. He is a frequent contributor to numerous newspapers, journals and magazines and is a member of the Arts Council of England’s literature panel.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Acclaimed philosopher, Alain de Botton offers a kinder, gentler philosophy of success, giving us a great lesson on how to relate to ourselves, and how to relax counter-productive emotions. The way he organizes his thoughts, and combines philosophy with pragmatism, is truly engaging. His goal is (through any of his mediums) to help clients learn “how to live wisely and well”. He was an extremely popular speaker at TEDGlobal 2009.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]With a philosophical eye and his characteristic combination of wit and wisdom, Alain de Botton’s humorous, articulate and eye opening talks are given with an elegance philosophers might envy. He makes an eloquent, witty case to move beyond snobbery to find true pleasure in our work and skilfully raises the big questions we all tend to ask of our work.[/expand]
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CEO of Three Oaks Investments and Former Senior Counselor to the White House

Ginger Lew is CEO of Three Oaks Investments LLC a consulting firm that provides advice to start up companies. Until October 2011, she served as Senior Counselor to the White House National Economic Council. She provided economic policy advice on a broad range of matters, including innovation, commercialisation, small business, capital access and formation of entrepreneurship policies. She was also appointed by Secretary Clinton to serve on the Board of Governors of the East West Centre.

“Ms. Lew was the primary architect of the Administration’s policies regarding the important role of women/gender integration as an engine for economic growth”

[expand title=”In detail”] From 1998 to 2009, Ms. Lew was the CEO of TDF, a communications venture fund and a venture advisor to Amplifier Venture Partners. She also was a member and co-chair of the NASDAQ Listing Council. She has served on the boards of publicly traded companies, private companies and not for profit organisations. She chaired the White House Regional Innovation Clusters Group which focused on high growth opportunities created through the integration of innovation, industry specialisation and geographic proximity. She also co-chaired the White House Interagency Group on Innovation and Entrepreneurship.[/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]Ginger Lew shares her insights and perspectives about what it takes to be successful in business. She genuinely believes in helping small businesses and specially in advising the entrepreneurial spirit.[/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]Ms. Lew has a charming, commonsense speaking style and a wealth of wisdom and invaluable insights which make her a highly sought after speaker. [/expand]
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Expert on Innovation & the Future of Media, Author, Publisher & TV Presenter

Florian Langenscheidt is widely respected for his innovative approach to publishing, the future of new media, and consequently the future of e-business. He is also a successful children’s book author and holds prestigious chairs and board memberships with organisations such as Transatlantic Ventures AG, buecher.de AG, the BDI Committee for Multimedia and Telecommunications. He is TV-host of the Münchner Runde talk show, Bavarian TV and nachtclub (since 1992).

“One of the Germany’s most important media experts”

[expand title=”In detail”] Born in Berlin to the Langenscheidt dynasty, whose name has become synonymous with the famous dictionary group, Florian took on the running of the 150 year-old family business in 1990, the Langenscheidt Publishing Group. A graduate of Harvard University and MBA holder from INSEAD, Langenscheidt was Chairman of the study group “Initiative Future” in Germany from 1996-1999, founding spokesman for the study group “Electronic Publishing” and columnist of Capital. Florian is also an active promoter of reading and a Board Member of the German Children and Youth Foundation in Germany. He has devoted his time to the global children’s organisation “Children for a Better World” and serves on the Board of Trustees for the World-Wide Fund for Nature.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Dr. Langenscheidt is widely regarded as one of the leading authorities in Germany on Innovation & the Future of Media. His numerous speeches at home and abroad are concerned with optimism, values, family companies, trademarks, school, education, luck and Germany. [/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Florian Langenscheidt engages his audience with a unique “return to innocence” theme whilst discussing the trendiest topics of innovation and future media. Though far advanced into the world of the e-book, Florian Langenscheidt still believes in the emotional experience of reading a book. “You hold it, you smell it, you feel it!”. He delights audiences with his humorous and entertaining style.[/expand]
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Music Industry Entrepreneur, MD of Leighton-Pope Organisation

Carl Leighton-Pope has carved a successful business career as an entrepreneur in the dynamic yet demanding worlds of music and entertainment. From the early 70s through to the present, Leighton-Pope has always been at the forefront of the music business and at various times has been agent for many leading performers. Currently agent for Bryan Adams and Michael Bublé as well as Crusty Demons, a fully choreographed freestyle motocross show, and the Harlem Globetrotters, Carl has also enjoyed success touring Van Morrison and Bonnie Tyler.

“It’s not about the money; it’s about being at the event, being at the show”

[expand title=”In detail”] Carl Leighton-Pope’s early years in the music industry started with the NEMS agency where he signed many of the leading groups that were popular in the 70s. In the 1980s, Carl’s entrepreneurial ambitions were revealed and he founded a management company and a record company finding business and financial success through working with many famous names.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]The recent years have seen many changes in the music business and few people understand the effects of those changes better than Carl Leighton-Pope. As a successful businessman, entrepreneur and multi-millionaire, Carl Leighton-Pope delivers invaluable advice on how to build a business, how to sustain success and the pitfalls to be aware of.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]As a speaker, Leighton-Pope is a natural communicator. Connecting immediately with the audience, his speeches are punchy, full of anecdotes, thought-provoking and delivered in a style that is direct yet full of humour.[/expand]
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Family & Business Management Consultant

Dr. Randel Carlock researches and teaches about entrepreneurship and family business based on his experience as a CEO, management professor, consultant and psychotherapist. Randel is an insightful coach and advisor providing personal and professional counselling services for global family enterprises and corporations. He currently specialises in Asia, Europe and the Middle East enterprises.

“A Leading Expert on Family Management Skills”

[expand title=”In detail”] Dr. Carlock has 25 years of management and leadership experience serving first as an executive with a New York Stock Exchange family business, Dayton-Hudson (now Target Corporation) and as a CEO and Chairman of four companies he created including a NASDAQ listed corporation. Previously he was the first Opus Professor of Family Enterprise and founder of the family business centre at the University of St. Thomas in Minneapolis, MN (USA).[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Dr. Carlock´s expertise allows him to clearly interpret the issues that so often create tensions in family business. He has the ability to quickly identify and demystify the challenges and to find and apply innovative and practical strategic solutions with his unbiased external advise and expertise. [/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Dr. Carlock’s presentations are packed with a rich source of actionable information which he expresses with clarity and precision. [/expand]
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An Authority on Leadership and Accomplished Business Strategist

Allen Pathmarajah is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, of the Marketing Institute of Singapore and the Singapore Human Resources Institute. He has extensive experience in Financial Services, Industry and Management Consultancy. In addition, he is the Chairman and Director of several public-listed and private companies in Singapore and overseas, as well as being a member of several government, professional and charitable committees.

“An inspirational business leader”

[expand title=”In detail”] Allen was for over 22 years, with the Overseas-Chinese Banking Corporation Group (OCBC), initially as the Executive Director of Specialists Services and concurrently Special Assistant to the Group Chairman. Thereafter for 12 years he was with Great Eastern Life Assurance Co Ltd as General Manager and subsequently as Managing Director. He continued as a Director until May 1998. He was also an Adjunct Professor at Nanyang Business School, Nanyang Technological University.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Allen gives effective and practical management consulting advice. His unique combination of leadership, current affairs and business achievements make him an internationally sought after speaker.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Allen‘s presentations are very practical and engaging, full of real life examples and experiences.[/expand]
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Strategy Implementation Specialist & CEO of Bridges Business Consultancy

Robin Speculand is a strategy implementation specialist and the CEO of Bridges Business Consultancy Int., which specialises in making strategy come alive. His work has been featured on media channels such as the BBC Global, the Financial Times and various other TV, radio and business magazines. Based in Asia-Pacific since 1989, Robin has lived and worked in the United Kingdom, USA, Australia, Macau and Hong Kong.

“Robin is a specialist in the implementation of strategies in organisations.”

[expand title=”In detail”] Before founding Bridges, he was Asia Pacific Regional Vice President for Citigroup. He holds an MBA from the National University of Singapore. Robin is the founder and president of Business Roundtable for Innovative Management, a Singapore-based management think tank and a founding member of Asia Speakers Association. He has worked with management teams worldwide.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Robin is a senior advisor to boards and management teams and an internationally renowned keynote speaker and sought-after facilitator. He demonstrates how strategies can be developed to benefit from globalisation.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Robin has gained a reputation as a masterful event facilitator, brilliant raconteur as well as an engaging and knowledgeable keynote speaker. In his tailored and well researched presentations he includes invaluable advice on successfully implementing strategies by “making your strategy come alive and turning it on”. [/expand]
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