Meet the Speakers

A weekly, live session which allows you to meet the speakers

Since Covid 19 first reared its frightening and ugly head, and restrictions were  introduced in many countries around the world, events large and small have been cancelled or postponed.

In view of this, we have introduced a regular and free Webinar called ‘Meet the Speakers’ in order to showcase speaker’s talents, and highlight how well speakers virtually  work.

Each week AI and Tech Expert Katie King joins our MD Sylvia Tidy-Harris and together they host a showcase week featuring short presentations from some of The Speakers Agency’s  speakers.

25th June 2020 Diversity, Inclusion and Equality

Catrin Pugh is the most remarkable and courageous woman. She is one of the only adults in the world to survive 96% burns after a horrific coach crash in the French Alps in April 2013. She is truly inspirational and another incredible example of someone who will not let their disabilities define her.

Tricia Stewart, is the creator of the WI Alternative Calendar which took the world by storm 21 years ago – the first charity nude calendar which has subsequently raised over 4 million pounds for Blood Cancer UK. Portrayed by Dame Helen Mirren in the film ‘Calendar Girls’, 71 year old Tricia is the perfect example of an older woman who won’t let her age stop her from wild water swimming, learning Women’s self-defence, continuing to teach Pilates, and speaking all over the world.

Popular Culture and Charity Expert, and campaigner  Nick Ede has been a strong supporter of LGBTQ+ community. He has supported charities including ARK, Stonewall, Kick it Out and Rainbow Railroad to name but a few. With his opinionated views but fair outlook on all aspects of campaigning Nick brings a strong voice to everything he is passionate about.

Veteran Royal Marine, double amputee and massively inspiring speaker Ben McBean is joining us again today. Ben has recently spoken out in the media about his support for both Churchill’s statue and his own personal experiences of racism. ON GMB in June 2020 co host Piers Morgan said he could listen to Ben all day- not a comment many of the guests hear from Piers.

11.06.2020 Crime From All Angles

Baroness Helen Newlove, the government’s former Victims Commissioner whose husband Garry was kicked to death by a bunch of young thugs on the family’s doorstep. The former Victims Commissioner, Helen is also the deputy speaker of the House of Lords.

Michael Fraser, the home security expert who co presented the BBC’s Beat the Burglar. He committed burglaries as a young teen in care. If not for a moment of clarity, during which he realised he didn’t want to be locked up and decided to go straight, he would have ended up in a life of crime. Now he is advises home owners and companies how to protect their property and possessions.

Paul Connolly is an experienced investigative broadcast journalist, television and radio presenter, and documentary maker best known for his work on crime. He undertakes daring undercover operations infiltrating criminal gangs in cities and towns across Britain.

04.06.2020 Building Better Brands

Kirsty Henshaw  is the Creator of Kirsty’s, the UK’s fastest growing free-from brand. She is the entrepreneur best known for her memorable, emotional and most successful pitch ever seen on Dragon’s Den (July 2010). The then 24-year-old single mum electrified the Den with her passion, commitment and gritty determination to succeed, and she secured £65,000 investment from Peter and Duncan. She bought out her Dragons many moons ago and she has just opened her first bespoke factory enabling her to grow her sales from £10m to £30m.

Rita Clifton CBE is a keynote business speaker, writer & practitioner on all aspects of brands, branding and business leadership. Recognised as one of the most inspirational women in the media and communications business, Rita has advised a wide range of leading global businesses and brands as well as start-ups and growth stage businesses of all shapes and sizes.

Merlin Griffiths has worked around the world, from Soho cocktail bars to high volume restaurants, members clubs, nightclubs and corporate events. He has appeared in the UK’s long running and most favourite love matching series since June 2013, and also appears on ‘Saturday with James Martin’ creating cocktails for viewers to make at home. Additionally, Merlin spent three and a half years working in global marketing for Bacardi as Global Ambassador for Bombay Sapphire Gin.

Paul Charles is the leading commentator and adviser about the travel and tourism sector, which has been deeply affected by the current pandemic. He is a former BBC News Presenter, and former Communications Director to Sir Richard Branson at Virgin Atlantic, who now runs The PC Agency, a leading travel consultancy based in London. He is also the man leading the campaign to persuade the government to drop the quarantine for tourists travelling to drawbridge countries.

28.04.2020 Transformative Tech – Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

Richard Noble OBE Challenger, Entrepreneur, Record Breaker, Motivational, Speaker & TV Presenter. He is a British entrepreneur who has achieved 6 world speed records, including breaking the Sound barrier on land which has never been equalled or beaten. His new book Take Risk is out now.

Naomh McElhatton is listed by the Irish Times as one of Ireland’s Top 5 Entrepreneurs. Withover 18 years of digital and creative industries sector experience her topics include customer retention, digital education, female empowerment, leadership, and entrepreneurship.

Jason Bradbury is a technology brand influencer and content-creator. Best known for his long association with TV’s The Gadget Show he has had an international career as a futurology and tech-trends corporate speaker. He works with major brands and is a highly sought after speaker on all things tech.

Katie King is a published Author, Keynote Speaker and Consultant on Artificial Intelligence
(AI) and digital/business transformation.

21.04.2020  Communications Across Barriers

Meet the Speakers were:

Sonia Beldom is a Creative TV and Branding consultant, communications and media trainer, and  author of soniasmum.com   This has become a hit mental health blog about growing up with her hilariously embarrassing mum who was finally diagnosed with six mental health conditions at the age of 80!  Sonia is an outstanding speaker.

Dr Harry Witchel  is a highly respected TV Scientist, Communication and Body Language expert based at the Brighton and Sussex Medical School. He offers knowledgeable and entertaining contributions to the media and is a brilliant and popular speaker

Maxine Mawhinney is a former BBC News Anchor, an extremely skilled interviewer and communicator and an expert in communications. A fine moderator, event host and facilitator she also delivers inspirational and empowering speeches.

Katie King is a published Author, Keynote Speaker and Consultant on Artificial Intelligence
(AI) and digital/business transformation.

14.04.2020 – Confidence and Kindness

Meet the Speakers were:

Former Press Secretary to HM Queen Elizabeth Dickie Arbiter LVO

Dudley ‘Tal’ Stokes, is  the man who captained the famous Jamaican Bobsleigh team and upon whose story, the iconic film Cool Runnings was very loosely based. A Peak Performance expert, he is absolutely mesmerizing and full of superb advice for both personal or working life.

Katie King is a published Author, Keynote Speaker and Consultant on Artificial Intelligence
(AI) and digital/business transformation.

TV Presenter and Broadcaster Nicki Chapman presents RHS Chelsea, Escape to the Country and Wanted Down Under.  She also stands in for Zoe Ball on the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show, Vanessa Feltz, Sara Cox, Paul O’Grady and many more.

07.05.2020 – What is the New Normal?

Meet the Speakers were:

The Baroness Morgan of Cotes – The Rt. Hon. Nicky Morgan is an impressive speaker on
education, financial services, Brexit, digital tech, the arts, and media.

Katie King is a published Author, Keynote Speaker and Consultant on Artificial Intelligence
(AI) and digital/business transformation.

Clare Bailey—aka ‘the Retail Champion’—is one of the most well-known and respected retail
and customer service experts in the UK. She is a champion for the continued success and
sustainability of smaller, independent retailers and suppliers to retail.

Ben McBean is a massively inspiring and hugely motivating speaker. A double amputee, he
managed to recover from stepping on a Taliban landmine whilst serving in Afghanistan with
the Royal Marines in 2008. Within two years of losing his limbs, he had run the London
Marathon twice. Ben shared his own story of resilience, positivity, and his refusal to allow
his disabilities to define him.