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Leadership expert & culture speaker

Richard Gerver

Transform organisational culture with Richard Gerver, speaker and leadership expert. Richard works with global businesses to build resilience, embrace change, and develop proactive cultures, delivering UNESCO award-winning insights for Microsoft, Google and Morgan Stanley.

Trusted by Microsoft, Google, Morgan Stanley

Richard Gerver, Speaker | Leadership Expert & Author
Richard Gerver

Richard Gerver

Birmingham, 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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Birmingham, United Kingdom

Starting from

£6–10k

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Richard Gerver's biography

At a glance

  • Transformed a failing UK school, winning international awards for leadership
  • Author of books on leadership and organisational transformation
  • Consulted with top firms and collaborated with leaders like Obama and Dalai Lama
Richard Gerver, an expert in leadership and organisational transformation, offers valuable insights on how we can learn from the COVID-19 pandemic. With his extensive experience and expertise, Richard emphasises the importance of developing proactive cultures, building resilience, and embracing change. He has worked with top organisations, including Microsoft, Google, and Morgan Stanley, and collaborated with influential figures such as Obama and the Dalai Lama. Richard came to prominence as a headteacher when he turned around a failing school in the UK in under two years. Winning plaudits globally, Richard was labelled The Walt Disney of The Classroom by the UK media. He won several international awards, including a UNESCO award for leadership and innovation, Global Gurus Top 30 Thinker, The National Teaching Awards, and Headteacher of the Year. Richard's ability to connect experiences across various environments helps people expand their thinking and realise their potential. Through his speeches and books, such as "Change: Learn to Love It, Learn to Lead It" and "Simple Thinking: How to Remove the Complexity from Work & Life," Richard shares his knowledge on cultural transformation, human development, and effective management. His work is rooted in three key principles: communication, empowerment, and impact. Richard's speeches receive high praise from organisations, as he inspires and energises audiences with his thoughtful and engaging presentations.

Richard's showreel and videos

Topics, sessions and talks

Change Management: How To Overcome Risk Aversion
In this session, Richard Gerver explores the exhausting nature of change and the common resistance to it. He discusses how risk aversion can hinder both individuals and organisations, ultimately stifling growth. Attendees will learn strategies to cultivate an organisational culture that not only embraces change but also fosters collaboration, empowering teams to thrive in dynamic environments.
Why Does Education Leadership Matter?
Richard Gerver highlights the critical role of education leadership in shaping a dynamic learning system for future generations. He argues that leaders and educators must be aware of upcoming challenges and adapt educational practices to meet evolving demands in knowledge, behaviours, and skills. By fostering a culture of openness to change and curiosity, organisations can ensure sustainable success. Attendees will learn how to cultivate this transformative approach in their educational environments.
How To Build Mental Resilience
Richard Gerver emphasises that in a rapidly changing world filled with challenges, mental toughness and resilience are essential for thriving amidst uncertainty. He highlights the interconnectedness of personal and professional lives, where stress in one area can affect the other. Richard advocates for equipping teams with the skills needed for mental resilience, enabling them to excel both at work and home. Attendees will learn practical strategies to enhance their mental toughness and foster a proactive mindset for future success.
How To Embed Curiosity Into Your Culture
In a rapidly changing world, organisations that embrace curiosity thrive, yet many undervalue it in favour of efficiency and routine. Richard Gerver, a renowned educator and leadership expert, emphasises that curiosity is not merely a "soft skill" but a vital business capability. Drawing on his extensive experience in transforming schools and advising top performers, Richard will guide leaders on embedding curiosity into their culture and decision-making processes. Attendees will learn how to harness curiosity to enhance learning, creativity, and performance.

Why we recommend booking Richard

Using his unique experience and insight, Richard has become one of the world’s most influential experts on change and human leadership. He helps clients worldwide struggle with uncertainty and change caused by rapid and dramatic shifts in technological, economic, political, health, and environmental developments.

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Trusted by Microsoft, Google, Morgan Stanley

Testimonials

The event was a great success! Richard was one of the favourite speakers and the workshop went great. We are happy to have him with us and are hoping to collaborate again.

Acade

Richard was truly sensational...everything went very smoothly and he received rave reviews from our delegates.

London Borough of Sutton and Merton

We were tremendously impressed with Richard's evident passion, energy and originality.

British Council

Featured Projects

Richard Gerver - Simple Thinking book cover
Richard Gerver - Change book cover

frequently asked questions

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How do I book Richard Gerver for my next event?

What is Richard Gerver's speaking style like?

Richard Gerver draws on his firsthand experience of turning around a failing UK school to ground his frameworks on change, resilience, and leadership, using that case as a throughline to illustrate how the principles he advocates have been applied in practice.

What topics does Richard Gerver specialise in?

Richard Gerver speaks on change management and risk aversion, education leadership, and mental resilience. He rose to prominence as a headteacher who turned around a failing UK school within two years, subsequently winning a UNESCO award for leadership and innovation and being ranked among Global Gurus' Top 30 Thinkers.

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You'll receive a hand-picked shortlist within 24 hours of sharing your brief. Each suggestion comes with profiles, fees, and PepTalk's recommendation on the strongest fit. If you need options sooner for an urgent event, say so and the team will move faster. Start at getapeptalk.com.

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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.

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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.

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.

Can I book a speaker for a virtual or hybrid event?

Yes. Most PepTalk speakers deliver virtual and hybrid sessions with live Q&A, and virtual keynotes usually cost less than in-person because there is no travel. Tell us your platform and format and we'll match speakers experienced in online delivery. Start at getapeptalk.com.

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Share your organisation's top 3 strategic priorities, current challenges, and the audience's role in delivering them. A simple one-page brief works perfectly. PepTalk speakers use this context to tailor insights that feel genuinely relevant — making your event far more impactful.

Can event entertainers customise their act for my company or industry?

Yes! Most event entertainers are happy to tailor their act to your brand, industry, or theme. From weaving in company jokes to incorporating your branding into their performance, personalisation makes all the difference. PepTalk's entertainers specialise in bespoke experiences that feel made just for your audience.