The Leading Speakers Bureau

One Of Britain’s Leading Wine Writers & Internationally Recognised Wine Expert

Tim Atkin is a British Master of Wine & award winning wine correspondent. He writes a weekly column on wine for The Times and is Wine Editor at Large for Off Licence News. He also writes for Woman and Home, The World of Fine Wine, Decanter, Jamie Magazine and Intelligent Life. He appears regularly on the BBC’s Saturday Kitchen, judges wine all over the world and is co-chairman of the International Wine Challenge.

“Tim Atkin has won over 20 awards, including 2009 Roederer International Wine Columnist of the year”

[expand title=”In detail”] Tim Atkin runs his own wine school, specializing in the wines of Spain, France and the New World. He holds a BA from Durham University in Modern Languages and a Masters degree from the London School of Economics in European Studies. He became a Master of Wine in 2001, winning the Robert Mondavi Award for the best theory examination and is a Caballero del Vino, a Chevalier du Tastevin and a member of the Ordre du Bontemps. In 2009 he was highly commended in the Columnist of the Year (Business Media) category in the PPA Awards and named Louis Roederer International Wine Columnist of the Year for his articles in The Observer, OLN and Intelligent Life. He has judged wines in the UK, France, the United States, Argentina, Spain, South Africa, Chile and Australia.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]With over 25 years’ experience, multi-award winning journalist Tim Atkin was named Communicator of the Year by the International Wine & Spirit Competition and Best Drink Journalist in the World Food Media Awards in 2007. He provides highly informative and entertaining lectures and frequently acts as a wine tasting judge. He also runs a highly acclaimed wine course in London at Vinoteca.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Tim Atkin has a vast knowledge of all facets of the wine industry and his engaging presence and chrisma is highly sought-after at a wide range of prestigious events.[/expand]
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The Fifth Executive Director of UNICEF (2005 – 2010)

Ann Veneman recently completed a five-year term as executive director of the United Nations Children’s Fund, travelling to more than 60 countries to review the plight of children and UNICEF’s work to assist them. In a personal capacity, she serves on the Board of the Close Up Foundation and has previously served on a number of advisory councils and committees. A champion of UN coherence and a strong voice for children as well as Millennium Development Goal implementation, her legacy at UNICEF is an organization that is financially and intellectually strong and well-equipped to meet the challenges children face in the twenty-first century.

In 2009, Ann Veneman was named to the Forbes 100 Most Powerful Women list, ranking #46

[expand title=”In detail”] A lawyer by training, Veneman has practiced law in Washington, DC and California. Prior to joining UNICEF, Ann Veneman served as Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), overseeing 110,000 employees and an annual budget of $113 billion. In 2003 she hosted the first-ever Ministerial Conference on Science and Technology, bringing together leaders from 120 nations. She held various other positions at USDA, including Deputy Secretary, Deputy Undersecretary for International Affairs and Commodity Programs and Associate Administer of the Foreign Agricultural Service. She also served as Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture. [/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]With first-hand knowledge of how children’s lives are saved and having stressed a culture of continuous improvement to help achieve lasting results for children, Ann Veneman offers insights into her leadership and vision that has been recognized both nationally and internationally. She has helped children around the world by advocating for and protecting their rights.[/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]The first woman to become the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Ann Veneman is a distinguished orator who impresses with her extraordinary energy and immense dedication. She has become a catalyst for global action to help children reach their full potential.[/expand]
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Founder & CEO of FutureWorld

Wolfgang Grulke is Founder and Chairman of FutureWorld, a global business and technology think tank, instrumental in helping major corporations and venture capital firms position themselves for the new world economy. Wolfgang is a Fellow of the Centre for Management Development at the London Business School and teaches regularly on the School’s flagship Senior Executive Programme. He also works with Duke CE and Oxford University’s Said Business School. He was formerly founder and CEO, Business Futures Group, a South African management consultancy firm renowned for applying holistic and systemic thinking in a chaotic business environment and creating sustainable business change.

“One of the world’s most important commentators on the future” The Forbes Group

[expand title=”In detail”] As a former IBM executive he worked internationally with IBM for more than 20 years and was awarded the prestigious IBM Outstanding Innovation Award from then CEO John Akers in London in 1983. His article, In Search of Simplicity, won the NACCA award for the best business article of the year and From Value Chain to Marketspace was awarded the AFSM International Writing Award for Professional Writers and Consultants in Boston. He also works with Duke CE and Oxford University’s Said Business School. He is a successful writer and photographer and has been widely published, on the subjects of business, technology, management and marine life.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]With a background in business, technology, nuclear physics, entertainment and marine biology, Wolfgang is an exhilarating and thought-provoking speaker on topics from business transformation to the technological revolutions, paradigm shifts to chaos, fractals and the dilemmas of modern management, With a superb combination of practicality and vision, real out-of- the-box thinking, exploring essential strategies for difficult times, Wolfgang shows decision makers from all fields how to create powerful communication vehicles to encourage and promote radical business and personal change. Wolfgang has addressed audiences in more than 20 countries, in person, on radio and on television.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Wolfgang is a true visionary and in the style of a Victorian raconteur Wolfgang brings fresh ideas and a breadth of thinking that is rare in today’s focused and specialised world.[/expand]
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Professor of Sociology, University of Canterbury

David C. Thorns, Professor of Sociology and Director of the Social Science Research Centre at the University of Canterbury is a distinguished sociologist and one of New Zealand’s leading social scientists. His major research projects have addressed a number of themes: housing, tourism, suburban and community research; the sociology of housing and residential mobility; social inequality and class formation; comparative urban research; restructuring and change within advanced capitalist societies; urban sustainability; comparative welfare state policy analysis and globalisation and urban change.

In 2002 he was awarded the University of Canterbury Research Medal

[expand title=”In detail”] His work has been innovative and led to significant shifts in theoretical and research agendas. It also shows a consistent engagement with the implications of social science research for both public debate and disciplinary development.. [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]His current areas of research are restructuring and change within advanced capitalist societies and the meaning of house and home, globalisation and the creation of the knowledge economy/society and the development of new residential areas..[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]For the past five years he has directed research programmes funded by the New Zealand Foundation for Research Science and Technology.[/expand]
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Leading Authority on Global Organised Crime

Misha Glenny is an award winning author and journalist who has been working in Eastern and Central Europe for 20 years. A former BBC Central Europe Correspondent, Misha is also the author of four best-selling books and has spent several years in a courageous investigation of organized crime networks worldwide. He is the Founding Director of SEE Change, an NGO which completed a two-year project developing cross-border cooperation between multi-ethnic municipalities in Kosovo, Serbia and Macedonia.

While at the BBC, Misha Glenny won 1993’s Sony Gold Award for his ‘outstanding contribution to broadcasting’

[expand title=”In detail”] Misha has written for all major British and European newspapers and is a regular contributor to the New York Times, the New York Review of Books, and the New Yorker. Among his awards are the Sony Gold Award for Special Contribution to Broadcasting. He has lectured at universities throughout Europe and the United States while the major diplomatic actors involved in the Balkans, including the Foreign Office and State Department at the highest level, continue to consult him regularly.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Misha Glenny is a popular keynote speakers at cyber security events around the world with his unique research into the relationship between cyber crime, cyber industrial espionage and cyber Having penetrated the convoluted, globalized and franchised modern underworld, often at considerable personal risk, he leaves no stone unturned (and no failed state unexamined) in his excavation of criminal globalization.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Currently researching a new book on cybercrime, underworld investigator and former BBC World correspondent Misha Glenny combines a thoughtful approach with an elegant style, speaking clearly, frankly and in great depth, providing a deeper understanding of the real-life, international criminals.[/expand]
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Activist, Businessman, Musician

Bob Geldof KBE is best known for organising the 2005 Live 8 and 1985 Live Aid benefit concerts. A self-styled campaigner he is tremendously well informed on a broad range of global and national issues. Currently, he is heavily involved in the Make Poverty History Campaign, a campaign against third world poverty. In addition to his equally successful if diverse campaigning and musical achievements, he is also a proven businessman and is co-founder of Ten Alps a very successful production company. Bob was recognized by Time Magazine as one of the 2005 European Hero’s and made the front cover of their European Edition on 10th October 2005.

Outspoken and celebrated global activist

[expand title=”In detail”] Now a truly global figure, his career began in journalism before forming the rock band Boomtown Rats. The course of his work changed when he set about the huge challenge of arranging Live Aid. In 2004 he returned to Ethiopia with UNICEF reviving media and public interest in the country’s economic state. Most recently he was honoured with the 2005 Nobel Man Of Peace Award and the MTV Free Your Mind Award which he received at the European Music Awards. He was also a Nobel Prize Nominee in 2005.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]The breadth and depth of his knowledge and experience is unique and hard to replicate. He is highly entertaining and has great insight into the socio-political arena as well as leadership, communications, marketing in the global village, motivation and self-development.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Passion is undisputedly one of his strengths, but so is validity of message. His inspirational presentations are both well researched and convincing.[/expand]
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Expert on Employment and Workforce Diversity

Amin Rajan is Chief Executive of the Centre for Research in Employment and Technology in Europe (CREATE) – a pan-European network of prominent researchers undertaking high level advisory assignments for the UK government, City institutions, multinational companies and international bodies such as the EU, OECD and ILO. He is also a visiting professor at the Cass Business School, London Guildhall University and at the Centre for Leadership Studies at Exeter University, and also President of the Scientific Committee at Audencia-Nantes, Ecole de Management.

“ Amin’s work has proved so influential that he now provides leadership coaching to top executives and investment specialists”

[expand title=”In detail”] Amin Rajin was formerly an economic advisor at the National Economic Development Office, Cabinet Office and HM Treasury. He has also carried out numerous studies for the UK Government and international bodies, and acted as a consultant to companies such as BP, British Telecom, IBM, ICL, Legal & General, Motorola, Merrill Lynch, National Westminster Bank, Fiat, Rolls Royce, SunAlliance and Shell.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]As a prominent researcher Amin Rajan offers audiences valuable insights into the business benefits of and practical challenges involved in the promotion of workforce diversity. Amin Rajan also uses his experience to coach decision makers and offer essential advice on leadership and emerging business strategies. [/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Appearing regularly on business television as well as at numerous events around the world, Amin Rajan’s high content presentations are filled with invaluable information from his research perfectly tailored to suit individual client’s needs.[/expand]
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INSEAD Chaired Professor of Strategy, INSEAD & Chief Advisor, China India Institute

Prof. Anil K. Gupta is widely regarded as one of the world’s leading experts on strategy and globalisation. He is currently the Professor of Strategy and Organization as well as Research Director at the Center for International Business Education & Research at The University of Maryland. He also serves as chief advisor to The China India Institute, a Washington DC-based research and consulting organization.

“One of the Top 20 North American Superstars for research in strategy and organization” Management International Review

[expand title=”In detail”] Prof. Gupta received a doctorate from Harvard Business School and an M.B.A. from the Indian Institute of Management. He has served as a visiting professor at Stanford University, Dartmouth College, Bocconi Business School (Italy), Helsinki University of Technology (Finland), and IPMI (Indonesia).

The recipient of numerous awards for excellence in research and teaching, Prof. Gupta has been recognized by Business Week as an Outstanding Professor in its Guide to the Best Business Schools and inducted into the Academy of Management Journals’ Hall of Fame. He is frequently quoted by the media in the U.S., China, India and Europe.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Prof. Gupta outlines how companies can leverage the market and the resource opportunities presented by the China and India phenomenon to achieve global dominance within their particular industries. He also talks about the key questions that business leaders must address in order to develop winning strategies to go global and to transform global presence into global advantage. He offers conceptual frameworks that business leaders can use to answer these questions.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Anil Gupta’s candid presentations on the global perspective and the realities of China and India are highly captivating, insightful and thought-provoking.[/expand]
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World’s Leading Historian of the Global Economy

Niall Ferguson is widely acknowledged as the world’s leading historian of the global economy. He is a prolific commentator on contemporary politics and economics and a regular contributor to television and radio on both sides of the Atlantic. He is also a contributing editor for the Financial Times. In 2010 Niall takes up the chair in History and International Affairs at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).

“the most talented British historian of his generation”

[expand title=”In detail”] Niall Ferguson is Professor of History at Harvard University and Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School. He is also a Senior Fellow of the Hoover Institution, Stanford University. In 2009 the London School of Economics appointed Niall to chair History and International Affairs. For a documentary series based on his book ‘The Ascent of Money’, Niall received the International Emmy for Best Documentary. He is currently researching the life and times of Henry Kissinger for a new book.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Named as one of the world’s hundred most influential people by Time magazine, Niall believes that money is the cornerstone of human progress but can also be the catalyst for catastrophe for individuals, companies and nations. Through his in-depth analysis and research into historical events as well as current economical and political trends, he offers invaluable advice for leading businesses world wide.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]An experienced television and radio presenter, Niall Ferguson is an accomplished and dynamic speaker. His thought-provoking presentations are delivered with the perfect balance of wit and analytical clarity to challenge conventional thinking.[/expand]
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Winner of the 2006 Nobel Prize for Literature

Orhan Pamuk is a Nobel Prize-winning novelist and is the recipient of numerous national and international literary awards. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature on October 2006, becoming the first Turkish person to receive a Nobel Prize. He is currently a Fellow with Columbia University’s Committee on Global Thought and holds an appointment in Columbia’s Middle East and Asian Languages and Cultures at The School of the Arts.

“One of the world’s most celebrated novelist”

[expand title=”In detail”] Orhan Pamuk studied architecture at the Istanbul Technical University before leaving to become a full-time writer. He graduated from the Institute of Journalism at the University of Istanbul in 1976. He was a visiting scholar at Columbia University from 1985 to 1988, a period which also included a visiting fellowship at the University of Iowa. He returned to Istanbul, where he lived until 2006, before returning to the US to take up a position as a visiting professor at Columbia.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Orhan Pamuk is not only one of the world’s best known authors but also one of the most outspoken social and political commentators. In his presentations he tackles a wide range of social, political and economic issues as he explains to audiences the potential opportunities for organisations. He is supporter for Turkey’s accession to the EU.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Orhan Pamuk mesmerises audiences with his highly engaging speeches and he is an ideal choice as a guest for events where a live interview format is used.[/expand]
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