The Leading Speakers Bureau

Professor of London School of Economics and Chief Economist at Citigroup and Global Finance Speaker

Willem Buiter is Chief Economist of Citigroup since 2010. He works as a senior adviser on global economic issues, as well as leading the investment research team in the creation of world-class economic analysis. Professor Buiter holds the Chair in European Political Economy in the European Institute, London School of Economics and Political Science. He has held a number of other academic appointments and prestigious positions, including Chief Economist and Special Advisor to the President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and membership on the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee.

“An internationally recognised authority on global finance and economic policy”

[expand title=”In detail”] Willem is one of Foreign Policy’s 2012 and 2009 Top 100 Global Thinkers. He has won numerous awards and received the CBE (Commander of the British Empire) for his ‘services to economics’. He writes a blog (Willem Buiter’s Maverecon) sponsored by the Financial Times of London and is a regular contributor to Martin Wolf’s FT Economic Forum. He has written six books on international macro-economics and countless articles in the profes¬sional journals and in non-technical publications for a wider public.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Willem Buiter offers audiences extraordinary depth of experience and insight into a broad range of macroeconomic issues, such as break-up risk, sovereign debt restructuring, bank creditor bail-ins, debt mutualisation, austerity and growth in the euro zone.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Willem has a wonderful wit and an engaging style which coupled with an incisive understanding and enlightened capacity to explain and discuss global issues has contributed to his high popularity and reputation.[/expand]
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Philosopher & Author

Peter Sloterdijk is the rector of the Hochschule für Gestaltung in Karlsruhe and Professor of philosophy and ethics at the University of Vienna. The conference, entitled Rules for the Human Park that he gave in 1999 at the symposium on Heidegger, aroused an international debate on the possible end of humanism and self-domestication of the human species as possible.

“One of the most famous contemporary German philosophers”

[expand title=”In detail”] Prof. Sloterdijk is also a guest Professor at the Academy of the Forming Arts, Vienna Bard College, New York, and guest Lecturer at the College International de Philosophie, Paris, and the Swiss Federal Technical University in Zurich. Peter became a freelance writer after graduation. Numerous works covering time diagnostics, culture and religion philosophy, art theory and psychology have been published up to 1992. His publication “Kritik der zynischen Vernunft” is the highest sold philosophical work in the German language since the Second World War.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Peter Sloterdijk is probably the foremost German thinker of today, and certainly one of the most controversial. Strongly inspired by Heidegger, Peter is well known for his examinations of the modern human condition through engaging discussions on genetic engineering, mass media, and the unification of Europe.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]A modern philosopher in every sense, who will shock, inspire and enlighten all audiences with a touch of humour thrown in, Prof. Sloterdijk’s unique philosophical language successfully describes the undercurrents of modern thinking and society for today’s audience.[/expand]
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Best-selling Novelist

Catherine Lim is a Singapore Chinese writer, she has written a number of short-story collections and novels written in English, published in the US, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and other countries. Since 1992 Dr Lim has been a regular speaker on cruise ships worldwide, in particular for Cunard and Silver Sea Cruise Lines. She has appeared on Radio in the UK and talks at international seminars.

“Singapore’s greatest story teller”

[expand title=”In detail”] She has a PhD in Applied Linguistics and was recently awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Literature by Murdoch University, Australia. She contributes social and political commentaries to local and foreign newspapers and magazines.[/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]Catherine offers audiences many colourful insights into modern day Singapore. She also offers great insight into the tensions that exist between the old Asian traditions and the newer progressive approach of the young professionals[/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]With characteristic verve and wit, Catherine Lim’s presentations are beautifully delivered and captivate audiences from around the globe.[/expand]
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Pioneering Architect & Engineer, Founder SENSEable City Lab, MIT

Carlo Ratti is a civil engineer and architect who teaches at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he directs the SENSEable City Laboratory, which explores the “real-time city” by studying the way sensors and electronics relate to the built environment. He’s opening a research center in Singapore as part of an MIT-led initiative on the Future of Urban Mobility. All of his work provides an interesting perspective on the kinds of sensory technologies we’ll see in the smart cities of the (near) future.

“Carlo Ratti is almost redefining what being an architect is”

[expand title=”In detail”] Carlo Ratti grew up in several European countries, graduating in engineering at the Ecole Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées in Paris, France, and at the Politecnico di Torino in Italy. He later earned his MPhil. and Ph.D. in architecture from the University of Cambridge, UK. In 2000 he moved to MIT as a Fulbright postdoctoral fellow, working with Hiroshi Ishii at the MIT Media Lab. In 2002 he established the design office carlorattiassociati – Walter Nicolino and Carlo Ratti in Torino, Italy. His projects use data gathered from sensors to actually create dazzling new environments. The Digital Water Pavilion, for instance, reacts to visitors by parting a stream of water to let them visit and a new project for the 2012 Olympics in London turns a pavilion building into a cloud of blinking interactive art.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Carlo Ratti is a world renowned thinker whose research into the less tangible qualities of the contemporary urban environment could radically alter the way we understand and design for the city. He provides a fascinating view of the technologies he has been developing. He has spoken at prestigious events worldwide, including the World Economic Forum in Davos (2009) and at TED2011 and brings his own unique perspective on how he uses interesting media to create flexible, interactive structures and visuals.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Carlo Ratti is a tall, slender and slightly gangling arc of good-natured exuberance. He has a clear, humorous and fascinating speaking style and his presentations are high in fresh and exciting content.[/expand]

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Founder & Managing Director of Corston-Smith Asset Management

Shireen Muhiudeen founded Corston-Smith Asset Management in 2004, and is today its managing director with offices in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Singapore, where it is an exempt fund manager. Under her stewardship, Corston-Smith is now a partner of British Telecom Pension Scheme (BTPS). She was chief executive of the Malaysian arm of insurance giant AIG Investment Corporation from 1991 till 2003.

“Shireen Muhiudeen is an experienced voice in Asian financial matters”

[expand title=”In detail”] Shireen Ann Zaharah Muhiudeen began managing Shariah funds in 1988 and has been a licensed fund manager representative with Malaysia’s Securities Commission since 1996. She is a member of the CFA Institute and of the International Corporate Governance Network. At AIG she managed its insurance portfolio and third-party money invested in Malaysia, Indonesia, and India, as well as AIG’s Asia Emerging Fund region-wide, save for Japan. Shireen has also singlehandedly drawn international investors to Malaysia by launching the ASEAN Corporate Governance Fund in 2008 and the ASEAN Shariah Corporate Governance Fund in 2009. An avid sportswoman, Shireen represented Malaysia in the Junior Wimbledon tennis championships and served on the board of Tourism Malaysia, as well as her country’s Sports Advisory Council.[/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]Shireen Muhiudeen brings to her extensive current ASEAN client portfolio more than 22 years of focused fund management experience. Besides having her own monthly column, Governance Matters, in Malaysia’s biggest-selling daily – The Star, Shireen is regularly sought after for her views by global broadcasters such as Bloomberg and CNBC, providing some interesting comparisons on how far women have progressed in the corporate world internationally and a completely fresh perspective on the value of having women in the Board Room. A proponent of Governance, transparency and Islamic Finance she is a regular speaker at seminars and forums.[/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]An avid advocate of equal gender representation in boardrooms, Shireen Muhiudeen is a powerful and astute orator who engages and informs worldwide audiences.[/expand]
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Cricket Legend, Coach of Kolkata Knight Riders

Wasim Akram is an internationally acclaimed personality who has been a professional Cricketer, television commentator and activist of awareness campaigns for diabetes. He is the finest fast bowler ever; pioneer of reverse swing bowling and has headed the cricket team of Pakistan in Test as well as One Day Internationals. He holds world records for taking the most wickets in ODIs.

“An international Cricket legend”

[expand title=”In detail”] His career started from his college days in 1980s. In 1998 he played for Lancashire Country Cricket Club in England and won the ECB Trophy as their captain. He played a significant role in winning the 1992 World Cup for Pakistan by taking the most wickets – a total of 55 in 38 matches. He is one of three bowlers who have taken four hat-tricks in International Cricket. He is known as ‘Sultan of Swing’ and holds a Pakistani record of taking 414 wickets in 104 matches in test cricket. He has remained the first bowler in International Cricket who has taken 400 wickets in both forms of cricket.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Being a hero and coach to several teams worldwide, he provides an insight to key issues for leadership, motivation and team work. Very original in thinking and addresses behavioural management topics too.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Wasim has a charismatic personality, full of energy and enthusiasm, very lively and friendly in his presentations.[/expand]
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Grammy Award-Winning Singer

Billy Ocean is one of the most successful British singer-songwriters of the past thirty years. He has collected a pile of Gold and Platinum records across the world and hit the number one spot worldwide on pop charts including the USA, Australia, Germany, Holland and the UK. He has recently headed back and released a new album called ‘Here You Are’ and will be playing more live dates round the globe.

“One of the most successful British recording stars of all-time”

[expand title=”In detail”] Performing with local bands and freelancing as a session singer, Billy started to record. After releasing two singles under his real name, he released his first as Billy Ocean, Whose Little Girl Are You? But it was the follow-up that was to propel him to stardom. Love Really Hurts Without You reached number 2, selling 250,000 copies. It was only kept off the top spot by Save All Your Kisses for Me by Brotherhood of Man. More hits followed as Billy also proved himself to be one of the most hardworking artists on the live stage, touring the world to ever growing enthusiastic audiences. In 2010 Billy went back on the road with his and released ‘The Very Best of Billy Ocean’.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Billy’s timeless 80s classics and infectious dance moves seem like they will never lose their appeal. Billy continues to perform live and his cabaret set is a guaranteed floor-filling crowd pleaser.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Billy’s stage presence and spectacular performances add prestige and excitement to any event.[/expand]
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Traveller and Television Presenter

Ian Wright is a seasoned international traveller; he is perhaps the most recognisable host of Globe Trekker. Globetrotting Ian has packed a great deal of travel and adventure into his life. On three occasions, he has won the prestigious U.S. Cable Ace Awards for Best Magazine Host for his Morocco, Central Asia, and Ethiopia shows. He also stars in the cable channel discovery travel and living show VIP Weekends with Ian Wright.

“Comforts don’t interest me. The sort of trips I go on are all about living cheap and getting dirty which is how I like it”

[expand title=”In detail”] Before appearing on television, Ian spent three months in Guyana as part of a Prince’s Trust initiative called Operation Raleigh. He also had extensive travel experience in Egypt, India, and Romania. Ian also devises plays in schools, runs drama and art workshops at the Children’s House in Islington on the weekends, and works with children with behavioural difficulties in special schools.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Taking the independent traveller ethos to the very limit, Ian always manages to search out the most unique elements of any destination. Never afraid to rub shoulders with the weird and wonderful, Ian likes sharing these experiences with his audiences. He is known for his witty banter and amusing interactions with locals.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Ian’s presentations are shown in a very funny way and it is essentially a very well done slide show. He certainly has a good collection of stories, has seen a lot and tells it well.[/expand]
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Professor of Entrepreneurship and Family Enterprise INSEAD Singapore

Roger D. Lehman is a professor at INSEAD’s Singapore campus where he designs and teaches in open and company specific programs, providing a focus on executive leadership, personal and professional development, change management and high performance teams. His clinical, teaching and organizational consulting career spans over 30 years during which time his experience has included a variety of staff and leadership positions in both public and private institutions.

“Instrumental in helping to bridge the gap between the psychoanalytic and business communities”

[expand title=”In detail”] Roger D. Lehman is a member of the core faculty at the INSEAD Global Leadership Center. As co-designer and Program Director of INSEAD’s innovative Coaching and Consulting for Change Program, he is deeply involved in supporting leadership transformational processes. As managing partner of insite GmbH in Frankfurt, Germany he consults to a wide variety of multinational corporations in the US, Europe, Africa and Asia. He is a licensed clinical psychologist (Indiana, USA) and a psychoanalyst with membership in the American Psychological Association, the German Psychoanalytic Society and the International Psychoanalytic Association.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Executive Coach, Roger D. Lehman’s focus on developing identified “high-potentials” enables his audiences to improve retention and to tap into an often-overlooked resource of creativity and contribution within their organizations. His unique personal background, combined with his professional training, has enabled him to be most successful in the translation of the concepts and insights drawn from the clinical perspective to direct the application for individual, team, and organizational dynamics.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]With skilfully researched, high content presentations, Prof. Lehman delivers his tailored speeches or workshops to perfectly suit clients’ requirements.[/expand]
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President of The Engine Group Advertising Agency

Robin Wight is a creative legend in advertising. As President of both Engine and WCRS, Robin was part of the management team that led the management buyout from Havas in 2004. For the last three years he has been working on a study looking at the way the brain processes communications built on the latest learning from evolutionary psychology, cognitive psychology, and neuroscience.

“An internationally acclaimed advertising guru”

[expand title=”In detail”] Robin began his career by setting up a student advertising agency while he was still an undergraduate at Cambridge. After working as a copywriter in a number of agencies, he co-founded Wight Collins Rutherford Scott. He remains chairman of the agency to this day, now under the auspices of the Engine Group, which he also helped found and chair. In 1994 he was part of the team that helped to originate and develop the Orange brand. In 2003 he founded the Ideas Foundation, a charity which helps identify and nurture creatively gifted young people from ethnic minorities through the award of Creativity Scholarships.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Robin has a tenacious grasp on the changing realities of marketing. He stands out as a gifted, bold, sometimes brash, always opinionated and successful executive.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]A charismatic, ultra cool and quick witted speaker, Robin’s speeches are always cultured, entertaining and provocative. He motivates and inspires audiences worldwide. [/expand]
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