The Top 10 Keynote Speakers in the UK to Hire Ranked by Official Popularity

In today’s fast-paced and ever-evolving business world, strong leadership is more essential than ever. Inspirational leadership speakers play a vital role in shaping the mindset of teams, igniting motivation, and fostering a culture of resilience and collaboration. A truly effective leader doesn’t just manage—they inspire, empower, and drive meaningful change. Bringing a seasoned leadership speaker into your next corporate event or team-building workshop can energize your team, provide fresh perspectives, and equip individuals with practical tools to lead with confidence and clarity. Investing in leadership development through expert speakers is not just a motivational boost—it’s a strategic move toward long-term success.

Why is it important to be a good leader?

Being a good leader is crucial because it has a powerful impact on employee engagement, which in turn drives team success, morale, and overall productivity. Effective leaders don’t just manage—they inspire. They build trust, encourage collaboration, and create a workplace culture where individuals feel valued, supported, and motivated to give their best. This kind of leadership leads to higher engagement levels, which is directly linked to satisfaction and retention. According to Gallup’s latest State of the Global Workplace report, employees who are actively engaged at work are 87% less likely to leave their organization. In other words, great leadership fosters commitment and enthusiasm, helping organizations build stronger, more resilient teams and achieve sustainable results.
Forbes

What types of events benefit from hiring a keynote speaker?

Keynote speakers add significant value to a range of events, including corporate conferences, leadership summits, team-building workshops, and industry expos. They can inspire audiences, provide expert insights, and set the tone for the event, enhancing overall engagement and impact.

Who are the Top 10 Keynote Speakers in the UK?

Utilising select data from 68 corporate event surveys, we deliver our exclusive insight on who the Top 10 Keynote Speakers in the UK.

1. Jo Salter

Official Corporate Ranking – 9.7/10

Jo Salter is a trailblazer, celebrated as Britain’s first female fast jet pilot, having flown the Panavia Tornado with the RAF’s 617 Squadron. Transitioning from military to corporate leadership, she now serves as PwC’s Director of Global Transformative Leadership and Managing Director at Saltin Ltd. Jo is also an accomplished author and speaker, sharing insights on resilience, inclusive leadership, and technological innovation.​ Jo stands out as a keynote speaker due to her unique blend of pioneering aviation experience and corporate leadership expertise. Her compelling narratives inspire audiences to embrace change, foster diversity, and lead with confidence in today’s dynamic business landscape.

Official Feedback for Jo Salter

“Without a doubt, Jo was the best speaker I’ve ever had the pleasure of listening to. Totally outstanding. A perfect balance of content within Jo’s story, so relevant to our team, our lives and the event. Couldn’t be rated higher, and so many amazing comments from the team about being inspired and taking insights away for change. Please pass on our enormous gratitude.”Three

2. Bear Grylls

Official Corporate Ranking – 9.5/10

Bear Grylls OBE is a globally renowned adventurer, survival expert, and former British Special Forces soldier. After serving with the 21 SAS Regiment, he overcame a severe parachuting accident to become one of the youngest Britons to summit Mount Everest. Bear gained international fame through his television series Man vs. Wild and has authored numerous books, including You vs The World and Mind Fuel. Bear Grylls is an exceptional keynote speaker due to his unparalleled experiences in extreme environments and his ability to translate survival lessons into insights on leadership, teamwork, and perseverance. His compelling storytelling motivates audiences to embrace challenges and cultivate resilience in both personal and professional spheres.

Official Feedback for Bear Grylls

“There are precious few people in this world who can really make a difference in a positive way, you are one. Many thanks for all you are doing for BA. It is so good for our people to hear and learn from someone who has done so much in a world so different from ours.” British Airways

3. Karren Brady

Official Corporate Ranking – 9.5/10

Baroness Karren Brady is a pioneering British business leader, renowned for her transformative impact in both football and corporate sectors. At just 23, she became the youngest Managing Director of a UK plc, revitalizing Birmingham City FC. As Vice-Chairman of West Ham United, she propelled the club into the top five fastest-growing football brands globally. A Sunday Times best-selling author and life peer in the House of Lords, Karren is celebrated for championing women in business and delivering compelling insights on leadership, entrepreneurship, and resilience.​ Karren Brady is one of the best keynote speakers to hire because she offers firsthand experience in turning failing businesses into world-class brands. Her talks on building a world-class culture, fostering entrepreneurial spirit, and achieving personal excellence resonate with diverse audiences, making her a powerful voice for leadership and inclusion in any industry.

Official Feedback for Karren Brady:

“As one of the UK’s leading hospitality brands we recently engaged Karren to deliver a keynote speech at our annual conference in Manchester for circa 2200 delegates. Karren’s speech was totally ‘on-message’ and really resonated with our team members. Karren’s appearance created a real WOW for our team members at Costa Coffee.” Costa Coffee

4. Nicky Moffat

Official Corporate Ranking – 9.3/10

Nicky Moffat, the highest-ranking woman in the British Army, served 27 years in various leadership roles, including Director of Personnel Administrative Capability and Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for Defence. Founder of ‘What Good Leadership Looks Like,’ she now delivers impactful talks on transformational change, inclusive leadership, and career development. Her military experience and engaging storytelling make her a sought-after speaker for organizations aiming to inspire and empower their teams.

Official Feedback for Nicky Moffat:

“We booked Nicky to talk at our ‘women in road’ network event. Nicky gave a fantastic talk and really connected with her audience who found her both interesting and thought-provoking. She was a great success and feedback after the event was all positive – they loved her!”The AA

5. Derek Redmond

Official Corporate Ranking – 9.3/10

Derek Redmond is a former British Olympic sprinter renowned for his resilience and determination. His iconic moment at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, where he completed the 400m semi-final with a torn hamstring aided by his father, has inspired millions worldwide. Transitioning from athletics, Derek played professional basketball and served as Group Performance Director at Thomas International. As a motivational speaker, he shares insights on overcoming adversity, building high-performance teams, and embracing change, making him a compelling choice for events seeking to inspire and motivate audiences.

Official Feedback for Derek Redmond:

“I would like to thank you very sincerely for your contribution to our KAM Summit, Dubai. It was really uplifting, enlightening and inspiring. This was truly one of the key highlights of our event. Not only your ambition, passion and determination is commendable, but your true spirit of “inspiring people and changing mindsets: From world class to world’s best is highly regarded and appreciated, once again, thank you so much for your remarkable contribution”Johnson & Johnson

6. Jason Robinson

Official Corporate Ranking – 9.2/10

Jason Robinson OBE is a legendary dual-code rugby international and the first Black British man to captain the England Rugby Team. He scored England’s only try in the 2003 Rugby World Cup final and amassed 171 tries in 281 Rugby League games. Overcoming a challenging upbringing in Leeds, Jason became a leading advocate for mental resilience, diversity, and social mobility. As a keynote speaker, he shares his inspiring journey from adversity to sporting greatness, motivating audiences to overcome obstacles and achieve excellence.

Official Feedback for Jason Robinson:

“The event was really great, it has been our most engaged with D&I event so far. We had 100 colleagues in person and over 440 online. Jason’ talk went down extremely well and seemed to really resonate with our colleagues here. I’ve had colleagues go out of their way to come up to the team and thank us for putting it on. I’d like to thank him again for such an open and honest talk about mental health, and how that intersects with many different aspects of his life.”Clyde & Co LLP

7. Katie Piper

Official Corporate Ranking – 9.2/10

Katie Piper OBEOBE is a best-selling author, TV presenter, and inspirational speaker who has turned personal adversity into a platform for empowerment and social change. After surviving a life-altering acid attack, she founded The Katie Piper Foundation, a pioneering organisation that supports people with burns and scars to rebuild their lives and self-confidence. Her BAFTA-nominated documentary, Katie: My Beautiful Face, attracted over 3.5 million viewers and earned critical acclaim. Katie’s compelling story and advocacy work make her a powerful voice on resilience, mental health, and redefining beauty standards.​

Official Feedback for Katie Piper:

“Please send our thanks to Katie for what was a fantastic event yesterday for Women’s Health Month. She is so incredibly inspirational and such a fantastic speaker. Her messages were so thought-provoking and feedback from across the firm has been exceptional – we feel lucky to have had her come in. Thanking you also for all your help organising. Looking forward to the Men’s Health event next month”Simpson Thatcher & Bartlett LLP

8. Jamie Mcansh

Official Corporate Rating- 9/10

Jamie McAnshis a remarkable motivational speaker, adaptive athlete, and adventurer who has transformed personal adversity into a source of inspiration. In 2014, he awoke paralyzed due to Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), yet he refused to let this define him. Jamie became the first person with CRPS to reach Mount Everest Base Camp on crutches and, in 2024, the first with bilateral CRPS to summit Mount Kilimanjaro. He has completed numerous extreme challenges, including hand-cycling 100 miles in 13 hours and being the first wheelchair user to complete the 30k WAAT4 Challenge across the Brecon Beacons. Jamie is also the founder of See No Bounds, the UK’s first online community centre and business directory. His keynote speeches focus on resilience, diversity and inclusion, mental health, and embracing change, making him an exceptional choice for events aiming to inspire and empower audiences.

Official Feedback for Jamie McAnsh:

“The way Jamie shared his experience and insights resonated deeply with our team here at Reed & Mackay. Many of us left the event feeling inspired, motivated and uplifted. His words sparked some meaningful conversation and a renewed sense of purpose within our company, especially during wellness season. We really appreciated his willingness to share his journey and we hope to be in touch in the future to arrange further events!”Reed & Mackay

9. Sir Clive Woodward

Official Corporate Ranking – 9/10

Clive Woodward is a renowned keynote speaker, celebrated for leading England to victory in the 2003 Rugby World Cup and serving as Director of Sport for Team GB during the London 2012 Olympics. His presentations, such as “The DNA of a Champion” and “Winning Culture,” offer actionable insights into building high-performance teams and fostering a culture of excellence. Clive’s ability to translate elite sports strategies into business success makes him an exceptional choice for organizations seeking to inspire leadership and drive performance.

Official Feedback for Clive Woodward

“Just wanted to pass on our thanks to Sir Woodward for speaking at our meeting on Friday. He was extremely engaging, and we’ve already had some fantastic feedback from the client and their teams; please pass on our thanks and best wishes.”H4B Manchester

10. Laura Kenny

Official Corporate Ranking – 8.9/10

Laura Kenny is Great Britain’s most successful female Olympian, with five Olympic gold medals, seven World Championship titles, and 14 European Championship victories. Specialising in team pursuit, scratch race, omnium, and madison disciplines, she has set records and inspired audiences with her resilience and determination. As President of Commonwealth Games England, Laura continues to influence the sporting world. Her motivational talks focus on overcoming adversity, mental resilience, and achieving peak performance, making her an exceptional choice for events seeking to inspire and empower audiences.

Official Feedback for Laura Kenny:

“Laura was fabulous and went down very well with the audience. She came across as very genuine and engaged with our interviewer and interacted very well with our guests before and after her session. In summary, she helped us make our event a real success and would be grateful if you could convey to her our thanks.”Pomerantz LLP

Book a Keynote Speaker for Your Next Event!

Do you want to inspire your team? Contact the Inspirational Leadership Speakers Agency today to hire one of these top 10 speakers for your next event! Call 0203 0070 320 or complete our online contact form now!