The Leading Speakers Bureau

Educational Reformer & Inspirational Figure, Founder of Dancing Classrooms

Pierre Dulaine is an acclaimed dancer and educator born in Jaffa, Palestine. He is the creator of the Dulaine Method of teaching dance, an educational pedagogy that puts an emphasis on respect, discipline, collaboration & social development. Using The Dulaine Method, he created Dancing Classrooms, a Social & Emotional Development Arts in Education Program for children that uses ballroom dance as a vehicle to change the lives of students, their families and even teachers. Using a combination of verbal and physical language, he has the ability to impart life skills that are often overlooked by traditional education.

“Dancer & Teacher extraordinaire” – New York Times

[expand title=”In detail”] An accomplished competition and show dancer, Pierre came to New York in 1972, soon met dance partner Yvonne Marceau, becoming 4-time Show Dance Champions of the world. In 1994, Pierre founded Dancing Classrooms, a non-profit social entrepreneurial endeavour. The success of the program in schools across New York City was parlayed into a documentary, Mad Hot Ballroom, which was followed up with the widespread theatrical release of Take The Lead featuring Antonio Banderas playing the role of Pierre. Since then, the program has been adopted in 31 cities in five countries around the world. Most recently, Pierre has worked with Israeli Palestinian and Israeli Jewish children, the result is a new documentary, Dancing In Jaffa.
[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Through his many experiences Pierre has a range of topics about which he can impart valuable lessons, from Leadership, to Education and even Conflict Resolution. Pierre has a step by step approach and amazing anecdotes that stimulate audiences and leaves them inspired to take action. His experience easily translates to valuable lessons that any organization can use to navigate the obstacles that make them less effective.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Multilingual by birth, Pierre’s highly personalised, interactive presentations are truly unique and engage audiences around the world. His message is simple – the transferable skills of social development are the linchpin of cooperative positive interactions amongst groups. His ability to overcome amazing challenges to gain consensus by being human make his presentations not only unique, but unforgettable.[/expand]

Continue Reading »

Technology Expert & Futurist

Christer Holloman is an expert commentator and former resident blogger at Sky News Tech Talk; experienced keynote speaker and Chairman of First Tuesday – UK’s largest network for high growth technology SME’s and their investors. Chris launched Expedia founder Rich Barton’s new $90m start-up Glassdoor.com in Europe, and is frequently invited to write for The Guardian, Sky News and GQ about how organisations can make the most of opportunities presented by new technologies.

“One of London’s Most Influential Individual Within New Media”
The Evening Standard

[expand title=”In detail”] Christerwas previously Head of Digital Product Development at The Times and The Sunday Times, responsible for award-winning apps and delivering new digital revenue streams.A born entrepreneur, Christer’s childhood games became a blueprint for his future career ut it was in the year 2000, at the height of the IT boom, that Christer established himself as a business force to be reckoned with when he launched a local social networking site, and then sold it to an investor for an undisclosed amount, only 6 months later.
[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Christer’sexpertise lies in technology and social media, and he’s a fascinating futurist who uses his insight and experience to inspire and inform. He inspires and excites audiences with new ideas they can apply to their own business or department.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Apart from his contagious energy, entertaining presentations, and sunny personality, Christer embodies real digital innovation and delivery, and is an exceptional speaker on the subject.[/expand]

Continue Reading »

Fintech Expert & Serial Tech Entrepreneur

Luis Carranza is a serial entrepreneur and key player in the global tech scene. He is the Founder of Fintech Ltd., a London based innovation consultancy that runs several events, including London’s largest Fintech festival, Fintech Week. In 2015 Fintech Ltd. is planning a series of Fintech events to continue to raise awareness of the financial services Technology renaissance. Luis also runs one of London’s largest technology / entrepreneur communities and led digital and innovation strategy across some of the best agencies and working on some of the world’s best known brands including Mazda, Dyson, FIFA, Adidas, and HSBC among others.

“Luis Carranza has the ability to think outside the box”

[expand title=”In detail”] Luis started his work in the financial services sector as a strategist and quickly made a name for himself running innovation days for clients like Western Union. Then he noticed that the Fintech sector was gaining momentum and created London Fintech Week to unite the ecosystem into a community in order to fast track innovation and investment in the sector. Following that he helped launch Innovate Finance, a new trade organisation tasked to champion London’s Fintech sector and unite large enterprises with growing Fintech companies. Luis holds a Bachelor of Science degree and a Masters in Brand Management. [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Luis has a great business instinct and is a seasoned problem solver with a clear understanding of brands, technology and human behaviour. He delivers strategic thinking to decision makers at the highest level and works alongside creative and technical teams in order to bring promises to life.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]An entrepreneur at heart, Luis’ presentations are creative, innovative and highly inspiring. He is in great demand to speak at prestigious conferences around the globe. [/expand]

Continue Reading »

Director and Managing Director of Mobile Convergence Ecosystems Ltd

Jean-StéphaneGourévitch is an International consultant with. over twenty two years’ experience in the International, European and UK Regulatory, Competition & Economic Regulation, Public Policy/Public Affairs and Strategy fields in digital communications. He is currently working globally on a range of strategic and policy issues focusing on the risks and opportunities of the emerging Mobile Convergence Ecosystem, in particular Fintech, digital payments, banking & financial inclusion.

“Jean-Stephane has a rare gift for explaining highly complex policy and regulatory issues in an engaging and clear manner.”

[expand title=”In detail”] Since 2012, Jean-Stéphane has been contributing as an editor and expert contributor to Payments Compliance, a subscription website providing market and regulatory information to its customers. He has advised public and private sector clients in Europe, Americas, Asia and Africa on the key strategic and policy risks, opportunities in digital/ mobile payments, banking &financial inclusion. He has supported the realization of a study for the EU on the new mobile convergence products/services, promising start-ups, and the identification of the most active hotspots for start-ups creation in Europe. He is a reputed speaker and thinker in digital financial services and a mentor to Fintech start-ups in the UK, Africa and Asia.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Jean-StéphaneGourévitch is a highly experienced expert in strategy, regulation compliance, competition, economic regulation and public policy in the Digital and Mobile Convergence Ecosystem in particular digital and mobile payments/banking/commerce and Fintech.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Jean-Stéphaneis an experienced speaker and seminar leader on platforms around the globe and an effective performer with a clear and valuable message. [/expand]

Continue Reading »

Founder and President of the Lean Enterprise Institute

Dr James P. Womack is the Founder and President of the Lean Enterprise Institute SM, a non-profit educational and research organisation chartered in 1997 to advance a set of ideas known as lean production and lean thinking. At the Institute James is conducting a series of research activities to create a tool kit for decision makers of methods for implementing lean thinking in a wide range of industries. The Institute also sponsors a series of educational meetings through the year and helps people to apply lean thinking in entirely new applications such as health care, construction, and distribution.

[expand title=”In detail”] Dr. Womack received a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Chicago in 1970, a master’s degree in transportation systems from Harvard in 1975, and a Ph.D. in political science from MIT in 1982 (for a dissertation on comparative industrial policy in the U.S., Germany, and Japan). During the period 1975-1991, Dr. Womack was a full-time research scientist at MIT directing a series of comparative studies of world manufacturing practices. [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]The intellectual basis for the Institute is described in a series of volumes and articles co-authored by Dr. Womack over the past twenty years. The most widely known of these are The Machine That Changed the World, Lean Thinking, From Lean Production to the Lean Enterprise, Beyond Toyota: How to Root Out Waste and Pursue Perfection.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]James’ presentations are a mechanism for lean practitioners to discuss and solve problems and focus on how to implement lean thinking with the emphasis on change management and getting things done. An experienced speaker James is able to show executives how to sustain growth within their industry and increase the all important bottom line.[/expand]

Continue Reading »

Senior Research Fellow at Cardiff University, Lean Principles Expert

Dr. David Taylor is a Lean Thinking expert who came to Cardiff University in 1997 to work on the LEAP project a three year study to apply lean principles to the upstream automotive component supply chain in the UK. Since then he has carried out various research projects to develop and apply best practice in supply chain management. Over the past five years he has been fully engaged with the Food Value Chain Analysis projects and his work has made a significant contribution to the national initiative to improve the performance of UK agi-food supply chains.

“Specialist at applying Lean Thinking to supply chain management”

[expand title=”In detail”] David Taylor holds a Masters in Business Administration specialising in Supply Chain Management from Cardiff Business School. A key characteristic of his work has been to ensure that his academic research has been firmly related to practical application and in consequence he has worked with many companies both in the UK and abroad. David’s career started in the automotive industry at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars where he held a number of roles in the fields of Purchasing, Supplier Development, Quality and Customer Service. He previously worked in the Department of Logistics at the University of Huddersfield, as a Research Fellow at RMIT University in Melbourne and as Marketing and Distribution Manager with a medical equipment manufacturer.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Currently exploring how best practice methodologies for supply chain improvement can be adapted and applied to humanitarian supply chains, David Taylor has delivered both consultancy and training projects for many companies and organisations to provide practical assistance in improving supply chain operations. With an interest in humanitarian aid, he has had direct involvement in humanitarian operations. He has worked in industries as diverse as steel, automotive, high-tech equipment manufacture, shipbuilding, footwear and most recently on a large project on the agri-food supply chain for the Food Chain Centre, funded by the UK government.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]With experience in business research, consultancy and lecturing, David Taylor is an eloquent and highly informative speaker.[/expand]

Continue Reading »

Lean Leadership Principles and Operational Excellence speaker

Darril Wilburn is a consultant, coach and speaker who focuses on the application of Lean Leadership Principles and Operational Excellence. Darril was a leader in the development and implementation of some of Toyota Motor Manufacturing’s highest profile leadership development programs of the past 10 years. . He led the Toyota Way (Toyota core principles) implementation at Toyota’s largest manufacturing plant in North America. He worked with The Toyota Institute in Japan to develop the Toyota Business Practice leading the global pilot of this program as well as the North American Senior Executive sessions. Darril also served as an internal leadership coach and led the assimilation of new-to-Toyota management.

“Darril is a great resource”
MM Mars Latin America

[expand title=”In detail”] Darril Wilburn attained his Master of Science in Instructional Design from the University of Kentucky. Darril Wilburn was a leader in the development and implementation of some of Toyota Motor Manufacturing’s highest profile talent and leadership development programs over the past 10 years. Darril also worked with The Toyota Institute in Japan to develop the Toyota Business Practice leading the global pilot as well as the North American Senior Executive sessions. [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Darril brings more than 17 years of leadership, process improvement and organizational development experience to his work. He has proven skills in the development, implementation and management of OD and training functions as well as knowledge of lean business concepts such as: Standardization, Kaizen and Root Cause Problem Solving. He expertly conducts focused problem solving training as a preparation for coaching individuals and teams as they solve their workplace problems. Darril is passionate about sharing the principles, culture and practices that make Toyota one of the most admired companies in the world. [/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Darril Wilburn’s presentations are eye opening and full of actionable content designed specifically to inspire teams from all fields. Darril Wilburn is an energetic and effective presenter who focuses on the application of Lean Leadership Principles.[/expand]

Continue Reading »

Leading Expert on Fashion Retail & Brand Communication

Mary is one of the UK’s foremost authorities on retail and brand communication and is credited with turning Harvey Nichols into the modern fashion powerhouse that it is today. Her first book, ‘Windows – the Art of Retail Display’, was published in five languages and quickly became the worldwide authority on the subject. Mary is one of the most respected figures in the fashion industry, acting as a retail consultant to huge brands around the world. She has worked with a huge number of stores including Oasis, Patek Phillipe and Harvey Nichols.

“Inspiration can strike at anytime, anywhere, anyhow”

[expand title=”In detail”] As well as starring in a new BBC television series, Mary also writes a weekly column, reviewing fashion shops across the country. She is founder and creative director of Yellowdoor, one of London’s leading creative communications agencies with publicity, advertising, retail marketing and events and brand strategy divisions.[/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]Mary Portas shares the knowledge she has gained from her years at the leading edge of fashion retailing, giving the ultimate insider’s guide. She regularly travels around the world advising on retail strategy and frequently lectures on the theme of brands and retail.[/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]Mary is globally recognised as a leading authority on the future trends of fashion retail, brand communication and on the development of effective people and culture within organisations. Her presentations are inspirational and highly motivating.[/expand]

Continue Reading »

Leading Authority on the Luxury Goods Industry

Marie-France Pochna is a luxury industry watcher and authority on the power of innovation that drives this multi-billion dollar industry. An award winning author, Marie-France has also written biographies on several of the fashion industry’s key players. She teaches an MBA course in luxury brands at ESSEC, the leading French business school in Paris and at the London College of Fashion as well as Cass University.

“Ms. Pochna brings to her subject a reporter’s doggedness and a mechanic’s knack for assembling a whole from parts” New York Times

[expand title=”In detail”] Born and educated in France, Marie-France obtained a law degree from Paris University and became a member of the Paris Bar. She subsequently joined the international law firm, Coudert Brothers, working both in Paris and New York.
[/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]She has become an acclaimed guest lecturer analysing creative methods that have established the luxury industry as the forerunner of our global consumer culture. Her speeches investigate the power and the prestige of the global luxury industry and its impact on society and the economy.[/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]An enchanting and eloquent speaker, Marie–France always captivates audiences with her in-depth knowledge and well-informed opinions.[/expand]

Continue Reading »

Serial Entrepreneur and Business Consultant

Marc Vidal is a renowned economic analyst who specialise in New Economy. He is the founder and Managing Director of IDODI. A natural born entrepreneur, he is a consultant in the fields of company modernisation and internalisation and was named one of the 10 most influential people on the Internet in Spain. Whilst originally he focused on large companies he now helps start-up-companies to grow and become successful.

“A leading expert in New Economy and Start-Up Companies”

[expand title=”In detail”] He set up his first company in the US, Sit2Sit, a technological tool linked to the management of intelligent communities. He is the Founder of Emprende America, a platform that represents thousands of Latin American technological entrepreneurs and that develops various platforms of social commerce and social shopping in collaboration with Shoponk. Currently he is a consultant of New Economy and Digital Entrepreneurship for the Central American Bank of Economical Integration (BCIE) which depends on the IMF. Marc is a highly respected expert on social media strategies who has lead institutional and business campaigns in various countries. In 2009 he participated in the Superior Program to study new ways of developing businesses and technological communication at Harvard and MIT. [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]In his well researched presentations Marc uses examples of success stories and provides audiences with the necessary tools to confront the challenges companies face in today’s uber competitive markets. He demonstrates using proven strategies that there is potential for business growth even in difficult times.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]With a wealth of research at his fingertips, Marcus’ presentations are filled with a veritable wealth of useful information making him a highly sought-after speaker at conferences worldwide.[/expand]

Continue Reading »