Business Critical Q4 Speaking Topics

Are you looking to finish the year on a strong note? You're not alone! Planning for final quarter kick-off events is well underway, and we've put together this comprehensive guide to current trending topics to help simplify your planning process for both Q4 and beyond. Meet some of our most sought-after speakers who cover today's most important business issues, including high performance, change management, emotional intelligence,  economics, and politics.

High-Performance Speakers

High performance is critical to businesses in 2024 because of the increasingly competitive, fast-paced, and unpredictable global market. Companies face constant pressure to innovate, adapt, and meet rising customer expectations while navigating economic uncertainties and rapid technological change.

Kate Richardson-Walsh

Kate Richardson-Walsh is a legendary sports leader, captaining the GB and England women's hockey teams to a gold medal at the Rio 2016 Olympics. Her experience rebuilding team culture after a disappointing World Cup demonstrates her understanding of high-performance leadership and resilience. Kate's workshops focus on fostering a winning mentality, shared purpose, and effective leadership, making her a perfect choice for organisations looking to inspire their teams.

PepTalk Fact: Kate holds the record as the most capped female hockey player in GB history, with over 370 appearances 🏅

⮕ Learn more and book Kate Richardson-Walsh as a speaker.

Matthew Syed

Matthew Syed is a thought leader in high-performance. He blends insights from his time as a top-ranked table tennis player with his extensive research into mindset and continuous improvement. His bestselling books, Black Box Thinking and Rebel Ideas, explore how divergent thinking and a growth mindset fuel success. Matthew's engaging talks are grounded in real-world examples from sports, business, and education, helping organisations understand how to harness diverse ideas for peak performance.

PepTalk Fact: Matthew was England's number-one table tennis player for nearly a decade 🏓

⮕ Learn more and book Matthew Syed as a speaker.

Rasmus Ankersen

Rasmus Ankersen is an expert in high-performance strategies, a bestselling author, and a football executive. His research into what makes talent-rich environments have influenced top-tier football clubs and companies. His unique approach to applying data-driven insights and combating complacency makes him a sought-after speaker for organisations aiming to optimise their performance and leadership.

PepTalk Fact: Rasmus co-directed Brentford FC, known for its pioneering use of big data in football ⚽️

⮕ Learn more and book Rasmus Ankersen as a speaker.

Change Management Speakers

Effective change management ensures that organisations can quickly adapt to new technologies, evolving customer expectations, and regulatory changes without disrupting operations. Leaders who can guide teams through transformation help minimise resistance, maintain morale, and ensure smoother transitions.

READ MORE: Top Future of Work Speakers: Shaping Tomorrow

Martin Gutmann

Martin Gutmann brings a unique approach to change management by using historical insights to rethink leadership in the modern business environment. His expertise in organisational psychology and management science allows him to help businesses navigate complex change processes with actionable takeaways. Through his story-driven presentations, Martin offers fresh perspectives on how leaders can guide their teams through transformation.

PepTalk Fact: Martin's TED Talk, "Are We Celebrating the Wrong Leaders?" has been viewed over 1 million times 🎥

⮕ Learn more and book Martin Gutmann as a speaker.

Dame Inga Beale

Dame Inga Beale is an expert in change management, having led Lloyd's of London through a major transformation as its first female CEO. Her experience in driving cultural shifts within large organisations and promoting diversity and inclusion makes her an inspiring speaker for businesses changing. Inga’s leadership in fostering inclusive environments shows how embracing change can lead to stronger, more innovative companies.

PepTalk Fact: Inga was the first openly bisexual person to top the OUTstanding & FT LGBT executive power list 🌈

⮕ Learn more and book Inga Beale as a speaker.

Javier Bajer

Javier Bajer is a renowned change management expert with a behavioural change and neuroscience background. He has helped organisations like HSBC and Buckingham Palace accelerate cultural change, making him a powerful speaker on implementing successful transformations. Javier’s workshops offer leaders tools to inspire change, build purpose-driven cultures, and engage employees without relying on traditional incentives.

PepTalk Fact: Javier holds a PhD in Behavioural Change and an MSc in Neurosciences 🧠

⮕ Learn more and book Javier Bajer as a speaker.

Emotional Intelligence Speakers

In 2025, the focus on employee engagement and mental health will be greater than ever. Leaders who prioritise emotional intelligence can more effectively manage stress, motivate their teams, and drive performance, resulting in higher retention and productivity. Emotional intelligence enables leaders to adapt to challenges with empathy, improving decision-making in dynamic situations.

Belinda Parmar

Belinda Parmar is a leading expert in empathy and diversity and the CEO of The Empathy Business. She has revolutionised the corporate world with her innovative approach, using empathy to improve organisational leadership and culture. Her creation of the Global Empathy Index, featured in Harvard Business Review, makes her a fantastic speaker on emotional intelligence. She focuses on how empathy drives business success and inclusion.

PepTalk Fact: Belinda was awarded an OBE by the Queen in 2015 for her work advancing women in technology 👑

⮕ Learn more and book Belinda Parmar as a speaker.

Bill Burke

Bill Burke founded The Optimism Institute, an organisation that fosters a positive outlook in business and life. With an extensive career in media and sports, Bill’s focus on emotional intelligence through optimism makes him a great choice for organisations seeking to build resilience and positivity. His ability to connect optimism with emotional intelligence helps teams enhance their performance and interpersonal relationships.

PepTalk Fact: Bill co-authored Ted Turner’s top-10 New York Times bestseller Call Me Ted 📚

⮕ Learn more and book Bill Burke as a speaker.

Nacor Ibanez

Nacor Ibanez is a mindfulness and emotional intelligence expert who blends therapeutic and coaching approaches to inspire lasting change. His work with major companies like PwC and Nike demonstrates his ability to foster emotional growth in corporate settings. Nacor’s approach helps individuals harness the power of emotions to build stronger, more mindful teams, making him an ideal speaker on emotional intelligence in today’s business world.

PepTalk Fact: Nacor’s unique method combines GESTALT therapy with Co-Active Coaching 🎯

⮕ Learn more and book Nacor Ibanez as a speaker.

Economics Speakers

On 30 October, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves will deliver the Autumn Budget, which will be accompanied by a full fiscal statement from the Office of Budget Responsibility (OBR). Our expert economics speakers are here to explain it all. 

Larry Elliott

Larry Elliott is a leading voice in economics as the editor for The Guardian, where he analyses global financial trends. His extensive experience covering globalisation, international trade, and environmental economics makes him a perfect speaker for understanding the economic challenges and opportunities in 2024-2025. Larry’s ability to forecast and explain the impact of recession and financial crises on the UK economy offers valuable insights for businesses and policymakers.

PepTalk Fact: Larry is a long-time critic of the European Union’s handling of economic inequality and employment opportunities 📉

⮕ Learn more and book Larry Elliott as a speaker.

Noreena Hertz

Noreena Hertz is a globally recognised economist whose work explores the intersection of economics, technology, and society. She is a trusted advisor to global leaders and corporations on strategies to navigate economic challenges in a rapidly evolving world. With a deep understanding of ESG and societal shifts, Noreena is an excellent choice for organisations looking to forecast economic trends while staying socially responsible.

PepTalk Fact: Noreena’s ideas have inspired projects like Bono’s Product 'Red' initiative 🌍

⮕ Learn more and book Noreena Hertz as a speaker.

Soumaya Keynes

Soumaya Keynes is a top economic commentator at the Financial Times, providing expert analysis on the British economy, monetary policy, and international trade. Her clear and in-depth explanations of economic challenges like inflation and productivity make her a valuable speaker for the 2024-2025 financial forecast. Soumaya’s unique perspective from her time at The Economist and award-winning reporting on global trade issues add weight to her insights.

PepTalk Fact: Soumaya's podcast The Economist’s Money Talks has won Best Business Podcast twice 🎙️

⮕ Learn more and book Soumaya Keynes as a speaker.

Robert Peston

Robert Peston is ITV's Political Editor and a former BBC Economics Editor. He is known for breaking key stories during the 2008 financial crisis. His ability to simplify complex economic issues for broader audiences makes him a sought-after speaker on forecasting the economic climate in 2024-2025. With decades of experience analysing both the UK and global economies, Robert offers critical insights into what businesses and policymakers can expect in the coming years.

PepTalk Fact: Robert co-hosts The Rest Is Money podcast, where he breaks down complex financial issues in an accessible way 💼

⮕ Learn more and book Robert Peston as a speaker.

Politics Speakers

Of course, politics is closely linked to a country's economics. In the UK, assessing the impact of governmental change is crucial, and in the US, attention is focused on the tightly contested race between the Democrats and the Republicans. PepTalk’s political speakers are on hand to untangle the implications.

Beth Rigby

Beth Rigby is a seasoned political journalist and the first woman to hold the role of Political Editor at Sky News. Having covered major political events such as Brexit and multiple UK elections, Beth brings in-depth knowledge and keen insights into the political landscape. Her print and broadcast journalism experience gives her a well-rounded perspective, making her an excellent speaker for discussions on the 2024 US and UK elections.

PepTalk Fact: Beth began her career at the Financial Times and quickly became one of the youngest team leaders there 📰

⮕ Learn more and book Beth Rigby as a speaker.

Alastair Campbell

Alastair Campbell is an expert in political strategy, having served as Tony Blair's right-hand man during his tenure as Prime Minister. Alastair’s insights into modern politics, media relations, and crisis management make him an engaging speaker for the 2024 elections. Known for his candid and often controversial viewpoints, he has a knack for offering unfiltered commentary on political campaigns and media strategies.

PepTalk Fact: Alastair is not only a political strategist but also an accomplished bagpipe player 🎶

⮕ Learn more and book Alastair Campbell as a speaker.

Emily Maitlis

Emily Maitlis is an award-winning journalist and former presenter of BBC Newsnight, well known for her expert coverage of US and UK elections. With high-profile interviews of figures like Donald Trump and Bill Clinton, Emily brings unique insights into the political dynamics of 2024. Her ability to deliver sharp, thoughtful analysis of current events makes her a valuable speaker on politics and media in both nations.

PepTalk Fact: Emily’s podcast The News Agents has reached over 30 million downloads in just nine months 🎙️

⮕ Learn more and book Emily Maitlis as a speaker.

You've come to the right place if you're searching for a keynote speaker to enhance your final quarter event. Contact us to discover more about our roster of professional keynote speakers, and book your Q4 event today. Email us at hello@getapeptalk.com or send us a message via chat. You can also call us on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US). Remember, it’s always a good time to get a PepTalk!