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Keynote speaker & Everest summiteer

Holly Budge

Build risk-ready leaders with Holly Budge, keynote speaker, Everest summiteer, and global conservation leader. Holly helps organisations move from risk-averse to bold, decisive action, using her Risk-Ready Mindset framework. She has delivered keynotes for J.P. Morgan, Shell, British Airways, and McKinsey, and is a Gold Stevie Award winner for Thought Leader of the Year.

Trusted by J.P. Morgan, Shell, British Airways, McKinsey & Company

Holly Budge, Speaker | Risk & Resilience Keynote
Holly Budge

Holly Budge

London, United Kingdom

Typical fee range

£6–10k

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

£6–10k

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loading@getapeptalk.com

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+44 203 835 2929

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Holly Budge's biography

At a glance

  • Risk leadership expert, adventurer, and keynote speaker
  • First woman to skydive Everest and Everest summiteer
  • Global conservation leader and charity founder
World-record-holding adventurer Holly Budge helps leaders build the mindset and tools to make bold, calculated decisions when conditions are uncertain. Holly is the first woman to skydive Everest, an Everest summiteer, and a conservation leader whose work has been praised by Sir David Attenborough. She has spoken for J.P. Morgan, Shell, McKinsey, and British Airways, and her work has been featured in Forbes, National Geographic, and Marie Claire. A Gold Stevie Award winner for Thought Leader of the Year, she is also a UN Women UK Delegate. Holly draws on real experience, from surviving a freefall gone wrong at 29,500 feet to racing 1,000 km across Mongolia on semi-wild horses, to show audiences how to make bold, calculated decisions under pressure. She founded the global charity How Many Elephants, identified over 4,500 female wildlife rangers across Africa, and raised more than £650,000 for conservation in 24 countries. Through her Risk-Ready Mindset framework, Holly translates her high-stakes experience into practical strategies that teams can apply immediately to leadership challenges, strategic planning, and organisational change. Audiences leave Holly's sessions with tools to break overwhelming goals into specific, actionable steps, techniques to reframe setbacks as learning opportunities, and a tested approach to building resilience when conditions are volatile. Book Holly to give your audience a clear, proven framework for turning uncertainty into a competitive advantage.

Holly's showreel and videos

Topics, sessions and talks

The Risk Ready Mindset
Most organisations say they embrace risk, but default to caution when the stakes are real. Holly Budge draws on summiting Everest from the north side, becoming the first woman to skydive Everest, and patrolling on the frontline with anti-poaching units in Africa to unpack what bold, calculated decision-making actually looks like under pressure. Through her Risk-Ready Mindset framework, she equips leaders with the tools to move from hesitation to purposeful action — turning uncertainty from a threat into a competitive edge.
Leading Under Pressure
The leaders who perform in volatile, fast-moving environments are not those who have all the answers — they are those brave enough to act without them. Holly Budge draws on leading teams on high-altitude expeditions and working alongside armed rangers on the frontline of conservation to examine what courageous, empathetic leadership looks like when the stakes are highest. Teams leave with a sharper understanding of how to build trust, fuel innovation, and hold steady through uncertainty and change.
The Elephant In The Boardroom
Sustainability is too often treated as a compliance exercise rather than a strategic one. Drawing on more than a decade of front-line conservation work protecting African elephants and supporting women-led ranger initiatives across 24 countries, Holly Budge challenges boards and senior leaders to see environmental risk as a business resilience issue — not a reputational one. Through compelling field stories and concrete examples, she shows how organisations that integrate purpose and profit are not just doing good; they are future-proofing themselves.

Why we recommend booking Holly

Holly brings tested frameworks from Everest summits and high-stakes conservation leadership that translate directly into how your teams assess risk and execute under pressure. She'll give your leaders practical tools to break down complex challenges and build organisational resilience when market conditions demand bold moves.

Check Holly's availability

Trusted by J.P. Morgan, Shell, British Airways, McKinsey & Company

Testimonials

Down-to-earth, funny and incredibly inspiring.

HRH The Duke of Edinburgh

An invaluable speaker to ignite change.

Paul Squirrell

MISSION Group

Our lecture theatre was packed!

Eton College

frequently asked questions

Something we've not covered here?

How do I book Holly Budge for my next event?
Email holly.budge@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 Holly'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 Holly Budge's speaking style like?
Holly Budge structures her sessions around the Risk-Ready Mindset framework, using first-person field accounts — including a freefall incident at 29,500 feet and frontline anti-poaching patrols — to translate high-stakes experience into tools audiences can apply to leadership, strategic planning, and organisational change.
What topics does Holly Budge specialise in?
Holly Budge speaks on risk-ready decision-making, leadership under pressure, and sustainability as a strategic business issue. She is the first woman to skydive Everest, an Everest summiteer, and a Gold Stevie Award winner for Thought Leader of the Year, with keynote credits including J.P. Morgan, Shell, and McKinsey.
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.

What logistics should I prepare before my speakers arrive?

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.

What's the difference between a keynote speaker, an MC, and event entertainment?

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.

What happens if I need to cancel or reschedule a speaker booking?

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.

Have all the speakers on the website previously worked with PepTalk?

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.

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Can I book entertainment and speakers as a package?

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.

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How far in advance should I book a motivational speaker?

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.

Help, I need a last-minute speaker for my event!

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