Available to book
James Gardner
Diversity and Inclusion
Mental Health
Workplace Wellbeing
Engage your audience with relatable humor and poignant insights into disability and inclusion with James Gardner, comedian, corporate speaker, and advocate.
International Day of Disability
Event Hosts
Inclusion
Influencer
Comedian
Born and raised in Glasgow, James Gardner is one of the UK’s fastest-rising comedians, known for his sharp wit, rapid-fire delivery, and ability to connect with audiences. His success on the stand-up circuit is matched by his huge online presence, with over 30 million views on social media and a following of over 100,000.
James’s career path has been as varied as his comedy is entertaining. From working as a DJ, TV producer, and footballer to now commanding the stage as a stand-up comedian, his eclectic life experiences fuel his hilarious routines. As the middle child in a family of three, James grew up caring for his older brother, Alexander, who has quadriplegic cerebral palsy and is non-verbal. His shows, including the critically acclaimed ‘Journeyman,’ weave in stories about his family life and advocacy, blending humour with heartfelt reflections that resonate deeply with audiences, offering more than just laughs.
Aside from his comedy, James is also a sought-after speaker for corporate events. With a background in economics and business, he brings a unique blend of comedy and professional experience to corporate workshops and presentations. His ability to entertain while delivering meaningful, engaging content makes him an excellent choice for audiences seeking a refreshing and engaging approach to business topics.
Topics, sessions and talks
James Gardner takes audiences on a journey through his life as a caregiver for his older brother Alexander, who suffers from quadriplegic cerebral palsy and is nonverbal. James shares his life experiences and natural charm to bring to light the systemic inequalities and discrimination that disabled individuals face.
"Born in a Wheelchair" has gained widespread acclaim as an entertaining and positive method of raising awareness about disability. It has become highly popular on the corporate circuit, with organizations eager to include it in their Diversity and Inclusion training initiatives.
Journeyman is the story of James Gardner’s eclectic CV, which is barely believable but all too real. Journeyman highlights James’ extraordinary life, documented with hilarious video footage. However, the real charm of the show comes with his ability to balance humour with moments of genuine vulnerability. James reflects on his battle with mental illness and discusses the unlikely forms depression and loneliness can take. A wild and entertaining adventure through his many lives, Journeyman is a must-see for any organisation wishing to promote mental-health and wellbeing in the workplace.
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frequently asked questions
Something we've not covered here?
Email james.gardner@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 James'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.
James Gardner performs structured stand-up shows that blend autobiographical storytelling with video footage, drawing on his experiences as a caregiver, his mental health journey, and his varied career history. His shows, such as Journeyman and Born in a Wheelchair, balance comedic delivery with moments of deliberate vulnerability, making them suitable for corporate contexts including DEI and wellbeing programmes.
James Gardner performs stand-up comedy and corporate speaking across two shows: "Born in a Wheelchair," which addresses disability, systemic inequality and D&I, and "Journeyman," which covers mental health, workplace wellbeing and personal resilience. His work has accumulated over 30 million social media views, and "Born in a Wheelchair" is established on the corporate circuit as part of Diversity and Inclusion training programmes.
No. PepTalk adds no booking fee, so you pay the speaker's fee and nothing beyond it. The service, from shortlist through to contracts and event-day logistics, is included. For repeat or multi-event bookings, PepTalk can agree preferential rates with your procurement team.
Share your event date, audience, format, objectives and budget, and PepTalk sends a hand-picked shortlist within 24 hours. Each suggestion comes with a profile, a fee and a recommendation on the strongest fit. Once you choose, PepTalk handles contracts, travel and logistics through to event day.
The typical fee range is the speaker's standard in-person fee in their home market, shown in their local currency. It moves with format, location, date and session length: virtual sessions and shorter slots usually cost less, while international travel and peak dates cost more. Send your brief to PepTalk and the team will confirm the exact fee in your currency.
Not all of them, and it makes no difference to your booking. PepTalk's network of 15,000+ speakers covers talent the team works with directly alongside speakers represented by agents and agencies worldwide. PepTalk approaches the speaker, negotiates the fee and handles contracting either way.
Three to six months ahead is comfortable for most events, and 12 months is better for large conferences, peak-season dates or one specific in-demand speaker. Shorter timelines are workable, and PepTalk regularly fills last-minute and replacement bookings within days. Availability is the constraint, so get in touch as soon as you have a date.
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