Available to book
Chris Hirst
Effective Leadership
Change Management
Company Culture
Unlock high performance with Chris Hirst, leadership and culture speaker. Chris works with executive teams to build accountability, make decisions under pressure, and lead through complexity, drawing on his experience as Global CEO of a 10,000+ person organisation and as a Business Book of the Year author.
Business Leader
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Podcast
Executive
Chris Hirst is the former Global CEO of Havas Creative Group and a practising Fractional Chair and Non-Executive Director, working with CEOs navigating growth, transformation, and acquisition.
In 2010, he became CEO of Grey London and turned round what was seen as an unfixable agency, growing revenue from $20 million to $55 million and margins from single digits to over 24%, and winning IPA Agency of the Year in 2014. He went on to lead Havas Creative Group globally, overseeing more than 100 agencies and a workforce exceeding 10,000 people.
Chris is a hands-on practitioner, not a theorist, and continues to chair businesses today. Direct, funny, and memorable, he says what others won't. His books, including No Bullsh\*t Leadership (Business Book of the Year, 2020), No Bullsh\*t Change, and Indispensable, have sold more than 100,000 copies and been translated into seven languages.
Audiences leave understanding Chris's core belief that culture is not bigger than the leader, it is the leader: the environment they create to enable their teams to outperform. He shows how leaders can build accountability, execute under pressure, and turn culture into a genuine driver of performance rather than an afterthought.
Book Chris for a direct, no-nonsense take on leadership, culture, and execution that actually works.
Topics, sessions and talks
Chris Hirst, author of the bestselling No Bullsh*t Leadership, cuts through the noise to deliver a refreshingly honest take on what modern leadership really looks like. Drawing from his award-winning book, Chris argues that leadership is difficult but not complicated. Attendees will walk away understanding how to strip back the complexity and harness the practical, career-transforming power of simply getting stuff done.
Chris Hirst draws on over a decade of leading successful change programmes worldwide to explore how leaders and organisations can turn constant change into opportunity. Attendees will learn proven strategies for driving team, organisational, and cultural transformation in today's fast-moving environment.
Chris Hirst explores one of the most misunderstood forces shaping organisations of every size: culture. Despite being the defining experience for people at work, culture is frequently overlooked by leaders who underestimate its power. Chris reveals why the ability to change, nurture and sustain a world-class culture is a leader's greatest superpower. Attendees will learn the repeatable secrets behind building exceptional workplace culture that drives lasting organisational success.
Most organisations have no shortage of ideas. What they lack is the discipline and culture to execute them. Drawing on his time as a Chair and Global CEO, and on inspiration from IBM and the statesman Colin Powell, Chris dismantles the myth that waiting for the right conditions leads to better outcomes. He makes the case for a simple formula - simplify, decide, execute, move fast - and shows how culture, understanding fear, and even better-run meetings can transform an organisation from one that talks a good game to one that consistently wins.
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frequently asked questions
Something we've not covered here?
Email chris.hirst@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 Chris'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.
Chris Hirst structures his sessions around frameworks drawn directly from his No Bullsh*t Leadership book series, translating case material from his tenure as Global CEO of Havas Creative Group into repeatable, practitioner-tested models for leadership, change, and culture.
Chris Hirst speaks on practical leadership, change management, and organisational culture. He is the former Global CEO of Havas Creative Group, where he led over 100 agencies and more than 10,000 people, and his book No Bullsh*t Leadership won Business Book of the Year in 2020.
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.
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.
Before your speakers arrive, confirm AV is tested, a green room is ready, and printed schedules are on hand. Prepare warm introductions for each speaker and brief your team on timings. PepTalk speakers come fully briefed, making event-day logistics smoother and stress-free from the start.
A keynote speaker delivers an inspiring or informative talk. An MC hosts and guides the event, keeping things on track. Entertainment — like a band or comedian — creates atmosphere and fun. Each serves a different purpose, and PepTalk can help you book the right talent for all three.
Life happens! Most speaker bookings can be rescheduled with reasonable notice. Cancellation terms vary by speaker, but PepTalk handles all the details & contracts transparently upfront so there are no surprises. Our team supports you through any changes, making the process as smooth as possible.
Not necessarily. While the speakers listed on our website may not have worked with PepTalk in the past, they are recognized professionals in the industry and known to engage in similar events and engagements. Alongside direct talent, we work with a wide variety of speaker agents and talent agencies, to ensure we have the best selection of speakers, hosts, comedians and entertainers available.
When booking a comedian, share your event format, audience size and demographics, any sensitive topics to avoid, and the tone you're after. PepTalk makes this easy — their booking process guides you through a simple checklist so nothing gets missed and your comedian is perfectly matched to your crowd.
When booking a speaker, you'll need your event date, audience details, format, key objectives, and budget. Having these ready makes the process smooth and straightforward. PepTalk's team uses this information to match you with the perfect speaker quickly and efficiently.
Yes! At PepTalk, you can absolutely bundle entertainment and speakers into one seamless package. It's a great way to create a fuller event experience while enjoying simplified booking and better value. Our team handles everything together, making the process effortless for you.
Sorry, we do not accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, or any non-commercial contact with the speakers, comedians or entertainers.
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Book a motivational speaker at least 3–6 months in advance, especially for popular speakers or large events. Top speakers get booked quickly, so earlier is always better. For major conferences or peak seasons, booking 12 months ahead ensures you secure your first choice.
No problem! We often handle last-minute requests and can secure or replace a speaker, comedian, awards or event host quickly — almost anywhere in the world. However, speaker availability might be limited as the event date approaches. Email hello@getapeptalk.com with your requirements.
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