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Diversity consultant & ESG strategist

Sonya Barlow

Transform workplace inclusion with Sonya Barlow, award-winning diversity consultant and entrepreneurship expert. Sonya equips organisations with data-driven ESG frameworks and practical inclusion strategies, delivering measurable business outcomes. UK Entrepreneur of the Year, BBC presenter, and trusted advisor to HP, LinkedIn, and Rolls Royce.

Trusted by HP, LinkedIn, Rolls Royce

Sonya Barlow, Speaker | Founder | Author
Sonya Barlow

Sonya Barlow

London, United Kingdom

Typical fee range

£2k–5k

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

£2k–5k

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Sonya Barlow's biography

At a glance

  • Founder of The LMF Network upskilling 100,000 people globally
  • Bestselling author of Unprepared to Entrepreneur
  • BBC presenter transforming workplace inclusion through consultancy
Sonya Barlow is a groundbreaking entrepreneur who transforms workplace inclusion through her consultancy work, bestselling book, and media presence. Her practical approach bridges the gap between diversity initiatives and measurable business outcomes. As founder of The LMF Network, Sonya has upskilled 100,000 people across 24 countries. Her bestselling book Unprepared to Entrepreneur and role as BBC presenter of The Everyday Hustle have established her as a trusted voice in business transformation. She has delivered two TEDx talks and was named UK Entrepreneur of the Year and a LinkedIn Changemaker. Sonya helps organisations navigate complex inclusion challenges by implementing strategic ESG frameworks that drive measurable results. Her consultancy work with global brands like HP, LinkedIn, and Rolls Royce focuses on developing people policies that boost retention and productivity while creating genuinely inclusive cultures. Her approach combines data-driven insights with practical implementation strategies that work across diverse organisational structures. Audiences leave Sonya's presentations with concrete tools to build confidence in professional settings, actionable frameworks for implementing inclusion initiatives that deliver ROI, and strategies to leverage mentorship as a catalyst for organisational change. Her personal experience as a female South Asian entrepreneur with ADHD brings valuable insight and perspective to her message. Book Sonya to transform how your organisation approaches inclusion, moving beyond theory to implement strategies that deliver measurable business results.

Sonya's showreel and videos

Topics, sessions and talks

Diversity
Sonya Barlow, a thought leader in diversity and inclusion, shares how inclusive practices can boost business profits by 33%. She explores essential topics such as the fundamentals of diversity, inclusive allyship, leadership styles, and effective hiring and retention strategies. Sonya highlights the importance of mentoring, knowledge sharing, and networking in fostering inclusive practices. Attendees will learn how to implement these strategies to create more profitable and equitable workplaces.
Resilience
Sonya Barlow candidly shares her journey through failure, discussing her experiences of being fired and facing rejection. She emphasises how these challenges have fostered resilience, shaping her career as a public figure. In this talk, Sonya addresses key topics such as recovery, impostor syndrome, and building confidence. Attendees will gain valuable insights into overcoming setbacks and developing the strength to thrive in their personal and professional lives.
Future of Work
Sonya Barlow highlights that the future of work and a lack of soft skills are costing the UK £22 billion. She will discuss key topics such as AI, digital transformation, mentorship, remote work, and alternative education. Additionally, Sonya will address gender equality, accessibility, and workplace flexibility. Attendees will gain insights into navigating these challenges and enhancing their professional skills for a successful future in the evolving job market.
Neurodiversity
Sonya Barlow, a British Pakistani woman, openly shares her journey with mental health, ADHD, and chronic migraines, highlighting the loneliness and determination that accompany these challenges. As a rare voice in the neurodiversity space, she aims to shed light on the experiences of Brown women, providing valuable insights into cultural context and neurodiversity. Attendees will learn about the importance of representation, the nuances of neurodiversity, and how to foster understanding in these often-overlooked discussions.

Why we recommend booking Sonya

Award-winning entrepreneur Sonya Barlow transforms workplace inclusion through practical strategies that deliver measurable business outcomes, having upskilled 100,000 people across 24 countries. Book Sonya to equip your team with concrete tools for building confidence, implementing inclusion initiatives with clear ROI, and leveraging mentorship as a catalyst for organisational change.

Check Sonya's availability

Trusted by HP, LinkedIn, Rolls Royce

Testimonials

I have supported many employers to deliver presentation evenings and panel events and without a doubt the way in which Sonya Barlow hosted the conversation is by far the best I have seen. She was engaging, understood her audience and involved the students throughout the discussion.

Cardiff University

Sonya is a great keynote speaker. We've had a lot of positive feedback and want to extend a big thank you to Sonya. She set the scene for the event really well. It was a perfect balance of delivering a quite challenging topic to make people think and at the same time allow people to be vulnerable enough to express themselves, be thoughtful and engage in discussions.

Manchester LCO

Sonya, a huge thank you for all of your work hosting the National AI Awards, it was an absolute pleasure to work with you and you did a brilliant job of bringing the room to life. Thank you, thank you thank you.

Fergus Bruce

Future Tech Events

Featured Projects

Sonya Barlow - Unprepared to Entrepreneur book cover
Sonya Barlow - The Everyday Hustle book cover
Sonya Barlow - The Sonya Barlow Show podcast cover

frequently asked questions

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How do I book Sonya Barlow for my next event?

What is Sonya Barlow's speaking style like?

What topics does Sonya Barlow specialise in?

Sonya Barlow speaks on diversity and inclusion, resilience and confidence, and the future of work including AI, digital transformation, and soft skills. She is founder of The LMF Network, through which she has upskilled 100,000 people across 24 countries, and is the bestselling author of Unprepared to Entrepreneur and BBC presenter of The Everyday Hustle.

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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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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.

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