The Leading Speakers Bureau

Biologist, Writer and Broadcaster

Aarathi Prasad is a science writer and broadcaster, and has presented and written for programmes including Is It Better to Be Mixed Race?, the Health and Biology episodes of Brave New World and the 4thought filmShould We Raise Children in Mixed Marriages?on Channel 4, and The Quest for Virgin Birth on BBC Radio 4.

“A well renowned scientist”

[expand title=”In detail”] Aarathi has a PhD in molecular genetics from Imperial College London, and subsequently worked on a Cancer Research UK-funded post-doctoral project using chemical genetics to identify early therapeutic targets in cancers.She was a recipient of the Wellcome Trust Mentoring Award for Emerging Talent, and has been a science advisor to the British Council, the United Kingdom’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. She has written for publications including the Guardian and Telegraph newspapers, Prospect and Wired magazines, and Euroscientist, and she has judged the Science and Natural History category in the Royal Television Society’s Programme Awards. [/expand]

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In her presentations, Aarathi shares her insights on how human beings are in control of their destiny. She wants us to drop our prejudices about sex, sexual difference, reproduction and foetuses and look to a future where anyone, regardless of age or sex, can become pregnant.
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[expand title=”How she presents”]A breath of fresh air, Aarathi explains hervivid, personal and panoramic journey through the health and beliefs of one fifth of humanity.[/expand]

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Journalist

James Chau is a journalist who currently anchors the news for China Central Television. He also presents his own current affairs programme, World Insight, which airs internationally every weekend. James has reported on major stories including the 9/11 attacks, China’s entry to the World Trade Organisation, Hu Jintao’s first White House visit and the bird flu outbreak. Through 2003, he covered SARS and later, filed live reports from Indonesia in the immediate aftermath of the Tsunami.

“A leading voice on international issues and current affairs”

[expand title=”In detail”] After a car accident in 1996 that caused a spinal fracture, James after treatment, finished his exams at City of London School where he was a Bakers Company scholar and started writing for newspapers, magazines and, as he describes, “just about anyone who would read me”. This continued when he became the first ‘Varsity’ News Features Editor at Cambridge University. James was an intern at Vogue and the Sunday Mirror, where his double page feature on the plight of women in Eastern Europe and the Middle East was published at the end of his first week. [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]James Chau speaks knowledgably about various aspects of worldwide affairs and current affairs. With a wealth of national and international experience in broadcasting and journalism, James is an excellent communicator.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]James Chau is a charismatic speaker, and his content rich speeches are delivered with authority and an engaging sense of humour.[/expand]

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Editor-at-Large at WIRED

David Rowan is the Editor-at-Large of WIRED UK, the award-winning technology and trends magazine covering innovation and the people and businesses that are building the future. He served as Editor-in-Chief of WIRED for almost eight years, since its launch.

“We are all ‘disrupters’ now!”

[expand title=”In detail”] David studies all the things that are, or soon will be changing business, culture and every aspect of our lives from AI to VR. He investigates the companies and entrepreneurs changing our world and has recently spent time with the founders of WhatsApp, LinkedIn, Google, Spotify, Xiaomi, Nest and countless other disruptive start-ups from Tel Aviv to Shenzhen. He speaks and moderates, at international conferences and has also addressed the TEDs, he frequently contributes on Newsnight and the Today programme. He also writes a monthly column for GQ magazine. David has curated an exhibition of British creative talent at the Government’s Cabinet Forum conference. David’s most recent awards include Techmark Technology Journalist of the Year, DMA Editor of the Year and BSME Editor of the Year in 2012.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]David demonstrates innovative concepts and ideas for commercial success. In his presentations he considers how technology is disrupting every industry and market, how apps change consumer behaviour and why ‘social commerce’ is killing traditional marketing. He also looks at how technology has evolved and reveals the ten trends that will change your sector in the next decade – and what you should be doing now to prepare. He also explains how organisations have to adapt, and how they can foster a culture of innovation.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]David is renowned for his insightful, inspirational and thought-provoking speaking style. His presentations are lively and quick-paced. He is in great demand by corporate clients the world over.[/expand]

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BBC’s Security Correspondent

Frank Gardner is BBC’s security correspondent reporting for TV and radio domestic and international security issues, notably on Al Qaeda related terrorism. He was awarded an OBE in June 2005 for services to journalism and released his first book ‘Blood and Sand’ in 2006.

“His work always reflects the true complexities of the stories he reports.”
Vin Ray

[expand title=”In detail”] Frank’s fascination with the Middle East began as a teenager when he had a chance meeting with Wilfrid Thesiger (who extensively travelled and photographed the Middle East). A fluent Arabist with a degree in Arabic and Islamic studies from Exeter University. Frank spent nine years as an investment banker in New York, London and Bahrain before switching to journalism and becoming the BBC’s Middle East correspondent based in Cairo. He has reported extensively on the so-called ‘War on Terror’ in Guantanamo Bay, Yemen, Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere in the Middle East. In 2004 he survived being shot six times at close range by Al Qaeda terrorists in the Riyadh suburb, Saudi Arabia. After many months in hospital he returned to the BBC to resume his job. His book ‘Blood and Sand’ reached number three in the Sunday Times Bestseller List.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Frank draws on his experiences as a security correspondent to offer audiences remarkable accounts of his time in the Middle East. Having witnessed some truly terrifying situations his determination to return to his full and active life makes his story both fascinating and inspirational.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Frank is a good communicator, knows how to handle situations spontaneously and comes across really well.
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BBC Arts Editor

Will Gompertz is the BBC Arts Editor and a respected commentator on The Arts.Voted one of the World’s Top 50 Creative Thinkers by New York’s Creativity Magazine, Will was previously a Director of The Tate Gallery. During his time there, he was responsible for Tate Online – the UK’s most popular art website. He set up a TV production unit, making arts programmes for Channel 4 and ITV and he also created Tate Etc, the UK’s highest-circulation art magazine.

“We’re brought up to be intimidated by art”

[expand title=”In detail”] Will has advised many arts and media organisations and has been a board member of the National Campaign for the Arts. As a writer he has penned numerous articles for, amongst others, The Times and The Guardian. In the summer of 2009, he wrote and performed a one-man show at the Edinburgh Fringe called Double Art History, a light-hearted lecture on the story of modern art.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Will has great passion, experience and knowledge of the arts. He is a great communicator and is full of ideas about how new media can be use more effectively to share arts news with audiences. He gives an introduction to modern art in the guise of a classroom lesson. [/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Will Gompertz’s passion for art is expressed with wit and verve. He is an impressive speaker who makes audiences laugh from the start with his self-deprecating humour, trying to make art funny.
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Journalist & Former Vice President Mercedes-Benz Motorsport

Norbert Haug is a German journalist, and the former Vice President of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport, including Formula One, Formula 3 and DTM. Under his direction, Mercedes-Benz enjoyed considerable success in all categories, winning multiple races and championships.

“Business is like Formula 1 – only with many more competitors”

[expand title=”In detail”] For over 22 years, Norbert Haugwas Head of Motorsports at Mercedes-Benz. Under his leadership Mercedes, along with its partner teams, won a total of four Formula 1 Drivers and two Constructors world championship titles between 1998 and 2009. In the DTM (German Touring Car Masters), Mercedes triumphed under Norbert’s leadership between 1991 and 2012 against well-known factory teams like Audi or BMW in more races than all the competitors put together. Mercedes thus became the most victorious brand of the DTM. Out of 900 races in all the key motor sports categories, Mercedes won over 400 under the leadership of Norbert, of which 80 in Formula 1 and 140 in the DTM.
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[expand title=”What he offers you”]In his talks and interviews, Norbert inspires with his authenticity and passion. He isvery skilful at establishing easy to understand analogies between the challenges of motor sports and everyday work.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]An engaging and entertaining speaker, Norbert uses a mix of stories and anecdotes from his career combined with stunning images to challenge and inspire audiences to greater things.[/expand]

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Celebrated Philosopher, Intellectual and Bestselling Writer

Bernard-Henri Lévy is a master philosopher, journalist, activist and best-selling author of over 30 books, including works of philosophy, fiction, and biography. An advocate of ethics and justice, he broke ground as the leader of the New Philosophers in the 1960s. Maintaining his outspoken streak of activism, he served as a war reporter extensively covering the Middle East and Afghanistan. His eyewitness accounts include philosophical insights about genocide, terrorism and the nature of history have made him a celebrity on the French and international scene.

“One of Europe’s most celebrated thinkers”

[expand title=”In detail”] Lévy gained renown for his documentary film about the Bosnian conflict, Bosna! after starting his career as a war reporter for Combat. He has undertaken several diplomatic missions for the French government and has travelled to the world’s most troubled areas. In 2008, Lévy received an honorary doctorate from Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and in December 2009, Foreign Policy magazine ranked him 31st among the “100 Top Global Thinkers.”[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Bernard-Henri Lévy’s distinctive intellectual mind, combined with his trademark sense of elegance, inspires a new generation of minds to explore, question, and challenge modern thought the world over. [/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Bernard-Henri is a very charismatic, controversial and phlegmatic character who epitomises a passion for life. His lust for searching out the truth has made him truly a unique orator in regular demand on the global stage.[/expand]

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Professional Photographer

Giles Duleyworked for 10 years as an editorial photographer in the fashion and music industries in both the US and Europe. Giles now focuses his work on humanitarian projects. Giles works with well-respected charities such as Medecins Sans Frontiers, IOM and UNHCR to highlight lesser-known stories deserving of public attentionandaction. Although documenting challenging, and at times, horrific situations, Giles captures the strength of those who fight their adversity rather than succumb. His photographs draw the viewer to the subject, creating intimacy and empathy for lives differing from ours only in circumstance.

“Do you ever have one of those mornings, when you just can’t be bothered to put your legs on?”

[expand title=”In detail”] In 2011, whilst on patrol with 75th Cavalry Regiment, United States Army in Afghanistan, Giles stepped on an improvised explosive device (IED). He was severely injured, losing both legs and an arm. Despite the fact that the horrific accident left Giles a triple amputee, he continues to dedicate his life to telling stories through photography. His work has been exhibited and published worldwide in many respected publications. In 2010 he was nominated for an Amnesty International Media Award and was a winner at the Prix de Paris in 2010 & 2012. His self-portrait was selected for the 2012 Taylor Wessing Exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]With stories that are by turns moving, inspiring and amusing, Giles looks at the passion for his work that helped him overcome his injuries. He offers a look at a world few see first-hand, putting things in perspective, but also offering lessons in personal commitment, goals, and work values. He considers what businesses can learn from the power and importance of telling a story as well as his own resilience and determination.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]In his moving talks, Giles tells stories of lives lost and found — including his own. Humorous, engaging and a fascinating story teller, Giles offers fresh insights and hard-won truths gathered over his years as a photographer.[/expand]

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Former Regional Director BBC Worldwide, Media & Communication Expert

Hani Soubra is an experienced media and communication expert who worked in the Arab world for the last 20 years. With an extensive knowledge of the Gulf region, Hani has contributed significantly to debates in the field of politics and economics. For 13 years he was Regional Director for BBC Worldwide, handling their development in the MENA region across all BBC platforms.

“An eye-opening commentator on Middle East related issues”

[expand title=”In detail”] Hani studied Economics at the American University of Beirut and earned an MBA from the University Glasgow. He is an acclaimed author on politics and current affairs in the Middle East and a lecturer at the University of Middlesex, Dubai campus. In addition, he taught masters students Media and Creative Industries and is currently teaching global Journalism for undergraduates. As a public speaker, Hani lectures on media, culture, politics and current affairs at universities and forums around the world. [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]The personification of the youth of the Middle East, Hani’s informed opinion and in depth analyse of Middle East and global political issues make him a sought after commentator at events around the globe. [/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Hani is an energetic and passionate speaker with a clear view of current affairs. His presentations are well received by any audience. [/expand]

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Award Winning British Journalist, Broadcaster and Author

Paul Mason is Channel 4 News’ Economics Editor covering all aspects of the UK and global economy, markets, labour and commerce. He previously served in the same role for BBC2’s influential Newsnight. Before he became Economics Editor, Paul was Channel 4 News’ Culture & Digital Editor in September 2013. He is the author of several books, and a visiting Professor at the University of Wolverhampton.

“A widely respected commentator on economics, society and culture”

[expand title=”In detail”] Paul has been twice shortlisted for the Orwell Prize, won the Wincott Award for Business Journalism in 2003, the Workworld Broadcaster of the Year in 2004, and the Diageo African Business Reporting Award in 2007. His report on the social movements behind Bolivian President Evo Morales was cited when Newsnight was awarded the Orwell Prize in 2007. He was named the Royal Television Society’s specialist reporter of the year in 2012 for his coverage of the economic crisis and social unrest in Southern Europe. In the early 1990s, Paul spent nine years covering business in specialist magazines and newspapers before sidestepping into TV[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Paul Mason is an intelligent and vastly experienced journalist with a great track record in scoops. He offers audiences profound insights into the current global political and economic landscape. In his presentations he focuses on the social changes, new global revolutions and a guide to our future. [/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Paul’s presentations are authoritative, comprehensive, and pitched at the correct level. He is an approachable and engaging speaker with a simple, direct, no-nonsense delivery and some very interesting insights and predictions.[/expand]

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