The Leading Speakers Bureau

Former Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of
Enterprise and Industry

Prof. Günter Verheugen is a leading expert on European policy making. From 2004 to 2010 he was the Vice-President of the European Commission, in charge of Enterprise and Industry, he served as European Commissioner for Enlargement and was one of five Vice-Presidents of the 27-member Barroso Commission. Since 2010 Prof. Verheugen has held a Honorary Professorship at the European University Viadrina in Frankfurt and is the founder of the consultancy European Experience Company.

“A leading expert on European issues”

[expand title=”In detail”] Prof. Verheugen started his political carrier in 1969 after having worked as a journalist and having studied history and political sciences. He was a member of the German Bundestag where he held a number of senior posts, mainly dealing with foreign and security policy and European affairs. Following that Prof. Verheugen was appointed Minister of State for European Affairs in the Foreign Office in 1998 and was the European chairperson of the Transatlantic Economic Council as of 2007.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]In his presentations Prof. Verheugen gives valuable insights into European issues. His remarks are of great interest for decision makers from all fields who want to expand their businesses.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]His outstanding political career and charisma make Prof. Günter Verheugen a sought after speaker, particularly on Europe and international policy making. [/expand]

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Director of the Maurice R Greenberg Center, Journalist and Author

Sebastian Mallaby is director of the Maurice R Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies and the Paul A Volcker senior fellow for International Economics at the Council on Foreign Relations. Sebastian is also Contributing Editor for the Financial Times, for which he writes a monthly column on international finance. An experienced journalist and an acclaimed author, Sebastian joined CFR from the Washington Post, where he served as an op-ed columnist and editorial board member.

“The future of finance lies in the history of hedge funds”

[expand title=”In detail”] Sebastian spent thirteen years on The Economist magazine, covering international finance in London and serving as the bureau chief in southern Africa, Japan, and Washington, where he wrote the magazine’s weekly Lexington column on American politics and foreign policy. He spent eight years on the editorial board of The Washington Post, focusing on globalisation and political economy. He has also contributed to numerous other publications, including Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, The Atlantic Monthly, Prospect (UK), the New York Times, and the Wall Street Journal. Sebastian was educated at Oxford, graduating with a First Class degree in modern history. [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Sebastian examines how the interplay of economics and politics is shaping international relations. His interests cover a wide variety of domestic US and international issues, including globalisation, the implications of the rise of newly emerging powers, trade and investment trends and economic policy. Since the publication of his prize-winning bestseller, ‘More Money Than God: Hedge Funds and the Making of a New Elite’, Sebastian’s speaking has focused on the role of hedge funds in institutional portfolios and on their potential to stabilize the global financial system.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Sebastian speaks fluently and without notes, often walking around the stage to draw in his audience. His engaging style, coupled with an incisive understanding of global issues, has contributed to his high popularity and reputation.[/expand]

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Chilean-American Acclaimed Novelist

Isabel Allende is an internationally acclaimed author considered to be part of the Latin American feminist literary awakening. Born in Lima, Peru, she grew up in Chile and travelled around the world as the daughter of a Chilean diplomat. She is best known for her epic and highly autobiographical novel ‘The House of Spirits’, which was later released as a motion picture in 1993.

“A genius” The Los Angeles Times

[expand title=”In detail”] Isabel Allende worked with the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization in Santiago, then later in Brussels, Belgium, and in Europe. For a brief period in Chile, she also had a job translating Romance novels from English to Spanish. Reportedly, the CIA-backed military coup in 1973 “changed everything” for her because “her name meant she was caught up in finding safe passage for those on the wanted lists”. In 2006, she was one of the eight flag bearers at the Opening Ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy. Her novels have been translated into 30 languages and sold more than 51 million copies.[/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]Isabel has lectured, done extensive book tours and has taught literature at several US colleges. In her writing, Allende deals with politics, history, and social institutions in a way that is all but passive. [/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]Isabel’s presentations give fascinating insights into how she is guided by a vision of a world in which women have achieved social and economic justice. This vision includes empowerment of women and girls and protection of women and children. [/expand]

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Expert on the Environment and Sustainable Development

Prof. Dr. Klaus Töpfer is the recently appointed founding director of the Institute for Advance Sustainability Studies (IASS) which will perform research between climate problems and sustainable economics. The institute funding will be provided by the Federal Government of Germany Federal Ministry of Education and Research. He is known internationally for his personal commitment to protect the environment and promote sustainable development. He actively contributed to the success of the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 and was a forerunner in the negotiations for the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the establishment of the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

“Widely recognized as having spearheaded environmental policy as Minister of Environment”

[expand title=”In detail”] Klaus Töpfer became Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and Director-General of the UN Office at Nairobi (UNON) in 1998. He was also appointed Acting Executive Director of the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements from 1998 to 2000. Before joining the United Nations, Klaus Töpfer held several posts in the Federal Government of Germany. In 2007 he was appointed Professor for Environment and Sustainable Development at Tongji University Shanghai. [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Prof. Töpfer explains in detail his vision of a social market economy and his strategies to make the environment work to improve the lives of present and future generations. He explains how the environment is not a hindrance for economic development and how protection of natural resources and regulations on the use of harmful substances trigger technology development and create exciting new opportunities, markets and jobs.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]An experienced teacher and engaging speaker, Prof. Töpfer challenges audiences with his hard hitting, yet inspirational presentations.
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Secretary-General of UNCTAD(The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development)

In September 2005 Supachai Panitchpakdi took office as the Secretary-General of UNCTAD. In this position he works closely with member Governments to promote the development-friendly integration of developing countries into the world economy. UNCTAD has progressively evolved into an authoritative knowledge-based institution whose work aims to help shape current policy debates and thinking on sustainable development around the globe.

Leading authority on developing new markets and globally renowned economist

[expand title=”In detail”] Dr Panitchpakdi has served as the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce of Thailand. In 2000 he received the prestigious Nikkei Asia Prize for his achievements in national growth and the Royal Decoration of “Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant” . He has been actively involved in international trade throughout his career and in 2002 he was appointed director general of the World Trade Organization.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Dr Panitchpakdi carefully explains in his seminars the importance of international co-operation through sub-regional, regional and global frameworks. He shows audiences how to successfully conduct inter-national trade negotiations and how to develop new markets. [/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]A balanced and informative speaker, Dr Panitchpakdi’s presentations are filled with hard facts and real life examples presented in a clear and precise way.[/expand]

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Founder and CEO of Global Institute for Tomorrow

Chandran Nair is the Founder and CEO of The Global Institute for Tomorrow (GIFT), an independent social venture think tank dedicated to advancing an understanding of the impacts of globalisation and the role of business in society through thought leadership and positive action to effect change. He is also the Chairman of Avantage Ventures, an Asian based boutique investment advisory company in the field of high impact social investing which was established in 2010. He serves on the Governance for Sustainability Global Agenda Council of the World Economic Forum. He is a regular speaker and panellist at the World Economic Forum, the APEC CEO Summit and conferences organised by the UN and OECd.

“The biggest lie of all is that consumption-driven capitalism can deliver wealth to all”

[expand title=”In detail”] Prior to starting GIFT he was Asia Pacific Chairman of UK based industry leader Environmental Resources Management (ERM). For more than two decades, Chandran Nair has strongly advocated a more sustainable approach to development in Asia, and has helped governments and corporations instil these principles into their key decision-making process. He is the creator of “The Other Hundred,” a non-profit photo book initiative which serves as a counterpoint to the Forbes 100 and other media rich lists. “The Other Hundred” aims to highlight and celebrate the lives of those who are not rich or famous, but whose stories need to be told.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Chandran’s challenges current thinking on globalisation and explains to audiences why he believes that “nothing good will come to any of us if success in the new economies of the east is defined by flashy, western-style consumption”. He provides strategic management advice and coaching to business leaders worldwide.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Chandran’s reputation as a provocative speaker has attracted corporations and governments to seek his advice on a variety of leadership and business challenges in Asia. [/expand]

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Professor of Leadership at INSEAD

Dr Hal Gregersen’s vocation is executive teaching, coaching, consulting and research, centres on leading innovation, change, and globalisation. Dr Gregersen’s forthcoming book, ‘The Innovator’s DNA’ flows from a path-breaking international research project which explores the fundamental question of where disruptive innovations come from and what roles senior executives, managers, and employees play in the creation of highly innovative teams and organisations. The insights on innovation surfaced from interviews with founder entrepreneurs and current CEOs, in-depth case studies of the world’s 25 most innovative companies and The Innovator’s DNA survey assessments of 3500 high performing entrepreneurs, managers, and inventors. He is also exploring how well the Innovator’s DNA skills may also drive social entrepreneur success

“An authority of modern leadership”

[expand title=”In detail”] Before joining INSEAD, Dr Gregersen taught at the London Business School and other highly acclaimed institutions. He has written for various global journals including the Harvard Business Review and his research has been highlighted on CNN and in Across the Board, Business Week, Fortune, Psychology Today, and The Wall Street Journal. Dr Gregersen has received several awards for teaching excellence as well as the Ascendant Scholar Award from the Western Academy of Management for research excellence. [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Hal Gregersen expertly communicates his fascination with how leaders in business and society generate provocative ideas with powerful impact. Putting his research on leading innovation, strategic change, and globalisation to practice and steers senior executives through the complexities of modern leadership and delivers a powerful framework for transforming old patterns of action into new strategic direction, emphasizing what matters most – people. His listeners will understand the real dynamics a leader must manage by focusing on people, where the real change must occur.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Hal Gregersen’s powerful presentations are rich in content, and delivered with insightful clarity, precision and intelligent humour.[/expand]

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Prolific Author & the Most Widely Cited Sociologist in the World Today

Lord Anthony Giddens popularised the notion of the “Third Way” in political thinking, and his advice has been sought by political leaders from Asia, Latin America and Australia, as well as from the US and Europe. Frequently referred to as Tony Blair’s guru, he has made a strong impact on the evolution of New Labour. He currently serves as Emeritus Professor at the London School of Economics

Anthony Giddens is “the fifth most-referenced author of books in the humanities”

[expand title=”In detail”] Anthony Giddens served as Director of the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) from 1997 to 2003. He was previously a Fellow and Professor of Sociology at King’s College, Cambridge. He was the 1999 BBC Reith Lecturer. His first work, ‘Capitalism and Modern Social Theory’, has been continuously in print for more than three decades. He was given a life peerage in 2004, as Baron Giddens of Southgate. In 2002 he was awarded the Prince of Asturias Prize for the social sciences, known as ‘the Spanish Nobel Prize’.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Anthony Giddens is the most widely-read and cited social theorist of his generation. His ideas have profoundly influenced the writing and teaching of sociology and social theory around the world. In particular, he developed the theory of “Structuration”, which is the understanding of the relationship between individuals and the conditions around them. [/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Anthony Giddens is renowned for his clear and fluent speaking style and continues to be in great demand by corporate clients the world over.[/expand]
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Political Theorist, Author

Benjamin Barber is an internationally-renowned political theorist, consulting regularly with political and civic leaders in the U.S. (President Clinton, Howard Dean) and around the world. He is the current President and founder of the Interdependence Movement and the NGO “CivWorld”. His current work focuses on global democratic governance and the relationship between the arts and democracy. In 2012, he became a Senior Research Scholar at the Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society at the CUNY Graduate Center

“Autonomy is not condition of democracy; democracy is the condition of autonomy”

[expand title=”In detail”] From 2007 – 2012, he has been a Distinguished Senior Fellow at Demos. In addition to his international work Dr. Barber is a professor of Political Science Emeritus at Rutgers University and a former Kekst Professor of Civil Society at the University of Maryland. He is a frequent commentator in the news/media. As a political theorist, he argues for a renewed focus on civil society and engaged citizenship as tools for building effective democracy, particularly in the post-Cold War world. [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Dr. Barber is the ideal authority to address the issues of global citizenship. He brings an abiding concern for democracy and citizenship to issues of politics, culture and education. He writes and speaks on a wide variety of questions connected to democracy and citizenship, including the arts, education, globalization, terrorism, and the new politics of the Middle East and North Africa.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Drawing on anecdotes from his own experience as a widely travelled, progressively educated fellow, he enthrals audiences with his entertaining presentations which showcase his impressive political insight.[/expand]
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Leading Environmentalist

Jonathon Porritt, Co-Founder of Forum for the Future, is an eminent writer, broadcaster and commentator on sustainable development. Established in 1996, Forum for the Future is now the UK’s leading sustainable development charity, with over 100 partner organisations, including some of the world’s leading companies. His numerous appearances on television and radio, countless public lectures and many hard-hitting articles in newspapers and magazines have made him probably the best-known environmentalist in Britain today.

“Like it or not, capitalism is the only game in town”

[expand title=”In detail”] He was appointed as Chairman of the UK Sustainable Development Commission in 2000. In addition, he has been a member of the Board of the South West Regional Development Agency since December 1999, and is Co-Director of The Prince of Wales’s Business and Environment Programme. In 2005 he became a Non-Executive Director of Wessex Water, and a Trustee of the Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy. He is also Vice-President of the Socialist Environment Resources Association (SERA). He was formerly Director of Friends of the Earth (1984-90); co-chair of the Green Party (1980-83) of which he is still a member; chairman of UNED-UK (1993-96) and a Trustee of WWF UK (1991-2005). [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]With a wealth of experience in the sensitive area of environmental issues and sustainable development, Jonathon is a leading expert in showing decision makers how to make their businesses more eco-friendly.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]A professional and much sought-after speaker, his concerns being a crucial factor for today’s business, he lectures and speaks on business related topics.[/expand]
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