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Emmy-winning equality advocate & speaker

Carrie Gracie

Transform workplace equality with Carrie Gracie, speaker and gender equality advocate. Carrie works with organisations to address pay disparity and inclusive leadership, delivering Emmy-winning expertise from her three-decade BBC career and high-profile equal pay campaign.

Trusted by Industrial Law Society, Lombard Odier SA

Carrie Gracie, Speaker | Journalist, Author, Advocate
Carrie Gracie

Carrie Gracie

London, United Kingdom

Typical fee range

£11k–25k

This is an estimated fee range for local in-person events. Location and format affect the final fee.

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London, United Kingdom

Starting from

£11k–25k

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+44 203 835 2929

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Carrie Gracie's biography

At a glance

  • Former BBC China Editor and correspondent
  • Took the BBC to a parliamentary committee over unequal pay, and won
  • Author of Equal: A Story of Women, Men and Money
Carrie Gracie is a journalist, broadcaster and author known for her expertise in China and her work in advancing gender equality. She spent over three decades at the BBC, covering major global events and serving as its China editor. Her time in Beijing saw her report on China’s economic rise, political landscape and social transformation, often under challenging conditions. Born in Bahrain and raised in Scotland, Carrie pursued a Philosophy, Politics and Economics degree at Oxford before teaching in China. She later joined the BBC, becoming one of the most respected voices on Chinese affairs. As Beijing bureau chief, she covered significant political shifts, the Beijing Olympics and a rapidly changing society. Her work on China earned her international recognition, including a Peabody Award and an Emmy for her documentaries. In 2018, Carrie made headlines for a different reason when she resigned as the BBC’s China editor in protest of unequal pay. Her public challenge against the broadcaster’s gender pay disparity sparked national debate and a parliamentary hearing. After securing a formal apology and back pay, she donated the full sum to the Fawcett Society to support women facing pay discrimination. She later wrote her book Equal: A Story of Women, Men and Money, exploring the systemic challenges of workplace inequality. Since leaving the BBC in 2020, Carrie has continued to write, speak and campaign on issues of fairness, transparency and gender equality. Her insights into leadership, resilience and institutional change make her a compelling speaker for organisations looking to foster inclusive workplaces and navigate complex global landscapes.

Carrie's showreel and videos

Topics, sessions and talks

The Gender Pay Gap and Workplace Equality
Carrie Gracie, former BBC China editor, became a prominent advocate for workplace equality after resigning in 2018 over pay discrimination. Her experiences and research culminated in her book, Equal, which has garnered acclaim for its insightful and humorous approach. In her talk, Carrie will share her journey, discuss strategies for transforming workplace culture, addressing the gender pay gap, and fostering diversity and inclusion. Attendees will learn practical ways to build trust and create equitable workplaces.
China - A Global Perspective
Carrie Gracie, a leading authority on modern China with over 35 years of experience, offers a unique global perspective on the complexities of China's worldview compared to the West. As a former BBC China editor, her insights are invaluable to policymakers and academics alike. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how China's growing influence impacts trade, innovation, and geopolitical dynamics, equipping them with knowledge to navigate these critical developments in their own lives and workplaces.

Why we recommend booking Carrie

Carrie Gracie, former BBC China Editor and acclaimed journalist, champions gender equality and equal pay. Her insights address workplace challenges and empower teams to foster inclusivity. Book Carrie now to inspire change and drive meaningful conversations in your organisation.

Check Carrie's availability

Trusted by Industrial Law Society, Lombard Odier SA

Testimonials

What a great speaker and a massively impressive, strong, professional and resilient journalist. We need more people like her and we need to make sure that there are systems in place to ensure that people like her get paid what they deserve for the work they do.

Industrial Law Society

I found Carrie's speech fascinating. One of the centre staff commented that she had never seen delegates so engaged at the end of a conference.

The Independent Schools' Bursars Association

Not only did you kindly step in to the breach you also knocked it out of the park! We have had some great feedback from the event and your openness, authenticity and knowledge shone through and gave us powerful insights into China today.

Lombard Odier SA

Featured Projects

Carrie Gracie - Equal: A Story Of Women, Men And Money book cover

frequently asked questions

Something we've not covered here?

How do I book Carrie Gracie for my next event?
Email hello@getapeptalk.com or call PepTalk on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm Carrie's availability and fees. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and a bit about your audience.
What is Carrie Gracie's speaking style like?
Carrie Gracie draws on her first-hand experience of challenging the BBC over unequal pay — including a parliamentary hearing and a formal apology — to illustrate the systemic mechanisms of workplace inequality, grounding her talk in the case study documented in her book Equal: A Story of Women, Men and Money.
What topics does Carrie Gracie specialise in?
Carrie Gracie speaks on the gender pay gap and workplace equality, China's global influence, and geopolitical dynamics. She served as BBC China editor for over three decades, winning a Peabody Award and an Emmy, and in 2018 resigned in protest at unequal pay, subsequently taking the BBC to a parliamentary hearing and donating the settlement in full to the Fawcett Society.
Can PepTalk help plan the speaker programme for my event?

Yes. Beyond booking a single speaker, PepTalk helps shape a full programme, matching voices to your agenda, audience, and goals across a day or a series. It is a consultative service, not just a booking. Tell us about your event at getapeptalk.com.

What does 'typical fee range' mean?

Speaker fees vary based on factors like event location, format, and availability. The 'typical fee range' figure gives you a baseline of someone's local, in-person rate sits, and we'll confirm the exact fee when you get in touch.

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