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UK's leading career strategist

John Lees

Transform career management and talent retention with John Lees, UK's leading career strategist. John equips professionals to navigate workplace transitions and make strategic career decisions. Author of 15 books including the bestselling How To Get A Job You Love, he has worked with CIPD, Lloyds Banking Group, and The British Council.

Trusted by CIPD, Lloyds Banking Group, The British Council

John Lees, Speaker | Career Strategist & Author
John Lees

John Lees

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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John Lees's biography

At a glance

  • Career strategist helping professionals navigate transitions
  • Former CEO of the Institute of Employment Consultants
  • Bestselling author and respected media contributor
John Lees is the UK's leading career strategist, helping professionals navigate career transitions with practical, innovative approaches that blend deep expertise with accessible guidance. As the author of 15 career books, including the bestseller How To Get A Job You Love (twice selected as WHSmith Business Book of the Month), John brings substantial credibility to his work. His career insights appear regularly in Harvard Business Review online, The Times, and The Guardian, while his television appearances include BBC and ITV programmes focused on employment success. John equips organisations to address critical talent challenges through specialised programmes that transform career management practices. His corporate work spans major institutions, including The British Council, CIPD, Lloyds Banking Group, and Marks & Spencer, where he develops frameworks for career realignment, structured career conversations, and talent retention strategies that respond to today's rapidly evolving workplace demands. Audiences leave John's presentations with practical tools to make better career decisions, actionable strategies to overcome career barriers, and renewed confidence to pursue meaningful work aligned with their strengths and values. Book John Lees to give your team the career clarity and strategic direction they need to thrive in today's complex professional landscape.

John's showreel and videos

Topics, sessions and talks

Take Control Of Your Career
John Lees emphasises the importance of taking control of your career in today's evolving work environment. He discusses managing the next 18 months of your professional life, assessing your learning curve, and identifying key career drivers. Attendees will learn how to map their organisation to uncover missed opportunities, recognise transferable skills, and connect authentically through impactful storytelling. Ultimately, participants will gain insights into how to effectively communicate their value and navigate their career paths.
Smart Career Management
John Lees will guide attendees in understanding career decision-making by identifying personal career drivers and motivations. He will emphasise the importance of aligning individual strengths with organisational needs and building essential relationships. Participants will learn to effectively communicate their energy and strengths authentically, without feeling disingenuous. Additionally, John will share strategies for influencing others, seeking mentorship, and gathering support within their organisations. Attendees will leave equipped with practical tools for advancing their careers.
Managing Confidence And Resilience
In this talk, John Lees addresses the challenges of self-promotion and career uncertainty. He emphasises the importance of resilience and offers strategies for protecting it. Attendees will learn the career two-step, which combines reflection and action, and discover tools from positive psychology to enhance confidence. John also explores innovative networking techniques and authentic communication, teaching participants how to effectively convey their strengths and share energising stories. By the end, attendees will feel empowered to navigate their career paths with clarity.
Having Better Career Conversations
In this talk, John Lees explores how to effectively communicate your skills and achievements without coming across as exaggerated or aggressive. He covers the essentials of managing structured career conversations, what to prepare beforehand, and how to address career anxieties when feeling unchallenged in your role. Attendees will learn strategies for requesting difficult changes and how to present constructive plans during appraisals, equipping them with the tools to navigate their career discussions confidently.

Why we recommend booking John

John Lees, the UK's leading career strategist and author of 15 career books, delivers transformative presentations that equip professionals with practical tools for making better career decisions and overcoming workplace barriers. Book John to give your team the career clarity and strategic direction they need to thrive in today's complex professional landscape.

Check John's availability

Trusted by CIPD, Lloyds Banking Group, The British Council

Testimonials

An authoritative British voice in careers coaching.

The Times

Featured Projects

John Lees - How To Get A Job You Love book cover
John Lees - Knockout Interview book cover
John Lees - The Success Code book cover

frequently asked questions

Something we've not covered here?

How do I book John Lees for my next event?
Email john.lees@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 John'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 John Lees's speaking style like?
John Lees structures his sessions around a reflective-then-active framework he calls the "career two-step," pairing self-assessment exercises (identifying personal career drivers, mapping transferable skills) with outward-facing communication techniques, including the construction of energising stories that participants use to convey their strengths to colleagues and decision-makers.
What topics does John Lees specialise in?
John Lees specialises in career management, confidence and resilience, and transferable skills communication, drawing on themes of career decision-making, authentic self-promotion, and organisational navigation. He is the author of 15 career books, including How To Get A Job You Love, twice selected as WHSmith Business Book of the Month, with career insights published regularly in Harvard Business Review, The Times, and The Guardian.
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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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.

What information do I need to provide when booking a speaker?

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.

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.

Can I request autographs, personal greetings, signed merchandise, or fan mail from the speakers?

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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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!

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.