Urgent Leadership Speakers, Topics and Skills For 2025

As we look ahead to 2025, the need for visionary leaders who can navigate an increasingly complex business environment is paramount. These top effective leadership speakers are shaping the future of leadership by equipping organisations with the skills and strategies to thrive in the face of change. Whether it’s fostering resilience, driving innovation, or leading with integrity, these experts offer invaluable insights to help leaders overcome challenges and seize new opportunities.

Biggest Leadership Themes In 2025

• Leading with Resilience: Learn how to cultivate resilience within teams and organisations, enabling them to persist through challenges and achieve long-term success.
• Leading Better Workplace Cultures: Discover the leadership styles that create inclusive, collaborative environments that foster innovation and ensure diverse voices are heard.
• Strategic Decision Making: Explore how data-driven insights and informed decision-making are critical for navigating fast-paced, high-stakes business environments.
• High-Performance Leadership: Uncover strategies for encouraging teams to challenge themselves and reach higher performance levels, creating a culture of excellence.
• Leading Across Generations: Gain insights on harnessing the potential of a multigenerational workforce and ensuring each generation contributes to the organisation’s long-term success.
• Leading with Ethical Business Practices: Understand the importance of leading with integrity and fostering a culture that promotes social responsibility and ethical decision-making.
• Strategic Leadership for the Future: Learn how to harness the power of emerging technologies like AI and big data to stay competitive and lead organisations into the future.

Leading with Resilience 

Resilience, the ability to persist through challenges, is crucial for long-term success. These experienced speakers with a resilience focus have what it takes to shift mindsets within your organisation.

Caleb Campbell

Caleb Campbell is an ideal speaker on personal resilience. He draws from his extraordinary journey from West Point graduate to NFL player to overcoming personal challenges that almost cost him his life. His unique experiences in military service and professional sports provide profound insights into perseverance, emotional wellness, and courage. Caleb inspires leaders and teams to cultivate resilience by embracing authenticity and facing fears head-on, resulting in stronger and more effective leadership.

PepTalk Fact: Caleb is the first player drafted from West Point to play in the NFL under a new policy, breaking new ground in both sports and military service 🏈

⮕ Learn more and book Caleb Campbell as a resilience speaker.

Scotty Mills

Scotty Mills is a powerful speaker on resilience. He has led elite military teams in high-pressure environments worldwide. His extensive experience as a Commando Green Beret and advisor to elite athletes and teams makes him a compelling choice for exploring how resilience can shape success under intense pressure. Scotty's inspiring stories of leadership, personal growth, and teamwork resonate with any audience looking to build a resilient mindset in challenging times.

PepTalk Fact: Scotty was Gareth Southgate’s secret weapon, playing a crucial role in developing the culture of the England Football Team ⚽️

⮕ Learn more and book Scotty Mills as a resilience speaker.

Bruce Daisley

Bruce Daisley is a leading voice on resilience in the workplace, having spent years at the forefront of major tech companies like Twitter and YouTube. His expertise in workplace culture, combined with his acclaimed book Fortitude, highlights how resilience is essential for navigating modern business challenges. Bruce offers practical, evidence-based strategies for building resilience in teams and organisations, making him a top choice for business leaders in 2025.

PepTalk Fact: Bruce's podcast Eat Sleep Work Repeat has topped Apple’s Business Chart, offering valuable insights into resilience and workplace culture 🎙️

⮕ Learn more and book Bruce Daisley as a resilience speaker.

Leading Better Workplace Cultures

Learn which leadership styles create an inclusive culture where diverse voices are heard and foster a positive environment. Likewise, discover how building diverse and collaborative teams is key to unlocking creativity and driving innovation with these brilliant workplace culture speakers.

Ruth Hunt

Ruth Hunt is an expert in building inclusive workplace cultures, leading numerous landmark campaigns for LGBTQ+ communities. With her extensive experience as the former CEO of Stonewall, Europe’s largest LGBTQ+ charity, Ruth brings practical insights into fostering environments where diversity and inclusion thrive. Her ability to guide organisations in understanding how to get minority voices to the forefront makes her a top choice for shaping better workplace cultures.

PepTalk Fact: Ruth led the development of the Premier League’s Rainbow Laces campaign, promoting LGBTQ+ inclusion in sports 🏳️‍🌈

⮕ Learn more and book Ruth Hunt as a workplace culture speaker.

Daniel Coyle

Daniel Coyle is a thought leader for his work on organisational culture, including his bestselling book The Culture Code, which explores the secrets of high-performing groups. Daniel offers actionable strategies for building stronger workplace cultures by drawing from top organisations like Pixar and Navy SEALs Team Six. His clear, evidence-based insights make him an ideal speaker for leaders looking to create environments where teams can collaborate effectively and thrive.

PepTalk Fact: Daniel has served as a consultant for Major League Baseball's Cleveland Guardians since 2013 ⚾️

⮕ Learn more and book Daniel Coyle as a workplace culture speaker.

Rob Hosking

Rob Hosking brings a wealth of experience from his career as a front-line police officer to the corporate world, offering valuable insights into how teams can adapt and thrive under pressure. His talks focus on building resilient workplace cultures by emphasising adaptability, mental fitness, and the importance of clear communication. Rob’s engaging storytelling and practical advice make him a standout speaker for organisations looking to strengthen their cultural foundations.

PepTalk Fact: Rob has shared his mental health journey on popular shows like the Chris Evans Show and GB News 🎙️

⮕ Learn more and book Rob Hosking as a workplace culture speaker.

Nic Smith

Nic Smith specialises in applying the latest research to help organisations improve their workplace culture. With over 20 years of experience, Nic focuses on enhancing overall well-being and leadership skills through tailored interventions. Her innovative approach, which prioritises building on strengths rather than just addressing weaknesses, is ideal for businesses looking to create a flourishing, positive workplace environment.

PepTalk Fact: Nic applies the principles of positive psychology to elevate organisations from average to great 💡

⮕ Learn more and book Nic Smith as a workplace culture speaker.

Strategic Decision Making

Using data to inform decisions is critical to making well-informed choices for business success. These decision-making experts bring insights from high-stakes environments — fire safety, Formula 1 and AI innovation — helping businesses develop data-driven, future-focused strategies in your own fast-paced and disruptive environments.

Sabrina Cohen-Hatton

Sabrina Cohen-Hatton is a global expert on risk-critical decision-making, with first-hand experience leading teams through high-stakes crises. As one of the UK's most senior female fire officers, she combines academic knowledge in behavioural neuroscience with operational experience from major incidents like the London Bridge and Finsbury Park terror attacks. Sabrina’s approach to decision-making in high-pressure environments is practical, grounded in science, and directly applicable to leadership and business challenges.

PepTalk Fact: Sabrina's research has changed national policy in the UK Fire Service, making a real-world impact on how decisions are made in crisis situations 🚒

⮕ Learn more and book Sabrina Cohen-Hatton as a strategic decision-making speaker.

Gary Foote

Gary Foote brings a wealth of strategic decision-making experience from his position as Chief Information Officer at Haas Formula 1 Team. As a business leader, his work involves managing complex technology systems in one of the most data-driven sports, ensuring swift and precise decisions. Gary’s insights into high-stakes, real-time race-track decision-making offer valuable lessons for any organisation looking to refine its strategy and execution.

PepTalk Fact: Gary played a crucial role in helping Brawn GP secure the 2009 FIA F1 World Championship 🏎️

⮕ Learn more and book Gary Foote as a strategic decision-making speaker.

Dr Mark Bloomfield

Mark Bloomfield is a master of navigating disruption. His career spans industries and roles, including leading AI and innovation strategies at Global Media & Entertainment. As a Fellow at Cambridge Judge Business School and founder of Turbulence, Mark specialises in helping organisations make strategic decisions in times of uncertainty, particularly by leveraging emerging technologies like AI. His approach focuses on building future-ready strategies that adapt to change and thrive in it.

PepTalk Fact: Mark launched The Transformation Tour, a golf-based leadership programme designed to teach strategic decision-making through play ⛳️

⮕ Learn more and book Mark Bloomfield as a strategic decision-making speaker.

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High-Performance Leadership

These high-performance keynote speakers are ready to encourage teams to challenge themselves and aim higher leads to improved performance levels. With proven experience, they're the right choice to help your team shift their mindsets.

Helen Richardson-Walsh

Helen Richardson-Walsh is an excellent choice as a high-performance leadership speaker. After overcoming significant personal and team challenges, she won Olympic gold in 2016 with the GB women’s hockey team. Her experiences managing pressure, recovering from injury, and fostering a winning mindset in high-stakes environments make her an inspiring figure for any leader aiming to build resilience and performance in their teams. Helen’s blend of sporting success and psychological expertise provides valuable insights into leading high-performance teams.

PepTalk Fact: Helen and her wife Kate made history as the first same-sex married couple to win Olympic medals together 🏅

⮕ Learn more and book Helen Richardson-Walsh as a high-performance speaker.

Jenson Button

Jenson Button personifies high-performance leadership with his 18-year career in Formula 1, culminating in his 2009 World Championship victory. Known for his ability to perform under immense pressure and adapt to constantly changing conditions, Jenson’s insights into focus, teamwork, and perseverance are invaluable for leaders looking to drive their teams to peak performance. His keynote stories from the motorsport world provide practical lessons and inspiration for those leading in fast-paced, high-stakes industries.

PepTalk Fact: Jenson won the 2009 F1 World Championship with six victories in the first seven races of the season 🏎️

⮕ Learn more and book Jenson Button as a high-performance speaker.

Martin Gutmann

Martin Gutmann offers a unique perspective on high-performance leadership by blending historical insights with modern organisational psychology. His approach challenges conventional leadership ideas, showing how historical examples can inspire innovative solutions for today’s leaders. Martin’s deep understanding of leadership theory and engaging storytelling, helps businesses rethink their approach to leading high-performance teams in challenging environments.

PepTalk Fact: Martin’s TED Talk, “Are We Celebrating the Wrong Leaders?”, has garnered over 1 million views 🌍

⮕ Learn more and book Martin Gutmann as a high-performance speaker.

Dean Leak

Dean Leak is an expert in building high-performance cultures, having worked with Olympic teams, Fortune 100 companies, and the British Government. His focus on human connection, communication, and cultural excellence makes him a sought-after speaker for leaders who want to empower their teams to reach their full potential. Dean’s experiences in sports leadership and performance psychology translate seamlessly into the corporate world, offering actionable strategies for fostering high-performing teams.

PepTalk Fact: Dean has been mentored by leaders in fields ranging from neuroscience to hostage negotiation 🧠

⮕ Learn more and book Dean Leak as a high-performance speaker.

Leading Across Generations

These speakers offer expert guidance on harnessing the potential of a multigenerational workforce and ensuring that each generation contributes to the organisation's long-term success. Explore all generational speakers.

Kian Bakhtiari

With his expertise in cultural intelligence and generational diversity, Kian Bakhtiari is a dynamic choice for discussing generational leadership. As the founder of THE PEOPLE, Kian has built a career helping organisations adapt to the needs of an evolving workforce by incorporating the perspectives of multiple generations. His imaginative, forward-thinking approach equips leaders with the tools to create inclusive environments that resonate across age groups.

PepTalk Fact: Kian's creative company, THE PEOPLE, raised £250,000 from investors in just 24 hours 🚀

⮕ Learn more and book Kian Bakhtiari as a generational speaker.

Eliza Filby

Eliza Filby specialises in generational change, making her an ideal speaker for businesses navigating leadership across multiple age groups. Her research and writing provide a deep understanding of how generational shifts impact workplace dynamics, and she offers practical strategies for fostering collaboration and engagement across different generations. Eliza’s insights help leaders harness the strengths of each generation to drive innovation and success.

PepTalk Fact: Eliza has worked with organisations as diverse as Google, the UK Ministry of Defence, and the Harry Potter franchise ✨

⮕ Learn more and book Eliza Filby as a generational speaker.

Chloe Combi

Chloe Combi is a leading expert on Generation Z and Generation A, making her a key voice for generational leadership in the workplace. With extensive research and interviews with over 20,000 young people globally, Chloe provides valuable insights into the motivations, expectations, and behaviours of younger generations. Her experience with brands, governments, and institutions ensures that she offers actionable strategies for leaders to engage and collaborate with the next generation of talent.

PepTalk Fact: Chloe has spoken at the United Nations and advised on two presidential campaigns 🌍

⮕ Learn more and book Chloe Combi as a generational speaker.

Leading Ethical With Business Practices

Companies that lead with a solid ethical foundation build trust with their stakeholders and foster a culture that attracts top talent and promotes long-term success. These speakers are champions of ethical leadership, offering insights on navigating complex moral dilemmas, implementing inclusive practices, and creating a positive impact both within the organisation and in society. 

Alex Mahon

Alex Mahon is an ideal speaker on business ethics, having transformed Channel 4 into a digital-first, inclusive media powerhouse. With a strong focus on diversity, equitable representation, and social responsibility, Alex brings invaluable insights into ethical decisions while maintaining growth and innovation. Her leadership at Channel 4 demonstrates how balancing public service with commercial success requires ethical foresight and commitment to social change.

PepTalk Fact: Alex was the first woman to lead a major UK broadcaster, breaking barriers in a traditionally male-dominated industry 📺

⮕ Learn more and book Alex Mahon as a business ethics speaker.

Chris Grant

Chris Grant has a strong reputation for guiding businesses toward ethical decision-making, particularly fostering diverse and inclusive workplace cultures. With his background in implementing Chip & PIN technology in the UK and his dedication to combating racism in business, Chris helps organisations rethink their social impact and moral responsibility. His book "Better Decisions" offers practical guidance on making superior ethical choices in routine and crisis situations.

PepTalk Fact: Chris has worked with a wide range of clients, from Team GB coaches to rocket scientists 🚀

⮕ Learn more and book Chris Grant as a business ethics speaker.

Leo Rayman

Leo Rayman is a pioneer in sustainable business practices, making him a great choice for discussing business ethics. As the founder of EdenLab, Leo works with global companies to implement sustainable strategies that comply with ethical standards and contribute to a post-carbon world. His experience in large corporate settings and ClimateTech innovation offers a unique perspective on aligning business growth with ethical, environmental choices.

PepTalk Fact: Leo has advised major brands like Unilever and TUI on commercialising sustainability for long-term impact 🌍

⮕ Learn more and book Leo Rayman as a business ethics and CSR speaker.

Strategically Leading Into The Future

As we face unprecedented technological advancements, leaders must harness the power of AI, big data, and digital innovation to stay competitive and lead their industries into the future. These speakers bring unique expertise in guiding organisations through this transformation, helping them embrace emerging technologies, mitigate risks, and build sustainable, future-ready strategies.

Jason Bates

Jason Bates is an expert in strategic leadership for the future. He co-founded Monzo and Starling Bank, two of the most successful digital banks in the world. As the Deputy CEO of 11:FS, he guides financial institutions through digital transformation, helping them innovate and adapt to the ever-evolving fintech landscape. Jason’s insights into digital banking and customer behaviour offer valuable lessons for businesses looking to stay competitive and forward-thinking in the digital age.

PepTalk Fact: Jason’s crowdfunding campaign for Monzo raised £1 million in just 96 seconds 💡

⮕ Learn more and book Jason Bates as a transformative speaker.

Michael Clark

Michael Clark brings over two decades of experience in data and digital transformation, helping companies stay ahead of the curve in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. As Mastercard’s Vice President and Global Head of Digital Transformation, he leads innovative strategies to harness the power of data for future business success. His expertise in emerging technologies like AI and machine learning gives businesses the tools to make informed, strategic decisions for long-term growth.

PepTalk Fact: Michael holds multiple certifications from MIT in areas such as blockchain, robotics, and AI 🤖

⮕ Learn more and book Michael Clark as a transformative speaker.

Tim Harford

Tim Harford is a renowned behavioural economist and author known for his ability to translate complex concepts into accessible insights for business leaders. His expertise in risk, economics, and innovation provides a strong foundation for businesses looking to develop strategic leadership in uncertain times. Tim’s storytelling and research-based approach help leaders make better decisions by learning from mistakes and understanding human behaviour in the context of strategic planning.

PepTalk Fact: Tim’s podcast More or Less debunks misleading statistics in the media, offering clarity on data-driven decisions 🎙️

⮕ Learn more and book Tim Harford as a transformative speaker

Adrian Joseph

Adrian Joseph is one of the UK’s top AI and data experts, leading BT’s AI strategy and advising the UK Government on national AI initiatives. His deep understanding of AI, big data, and digital strategy equips businesses with the insights to lead a data-driven future. Adrian’s strategic leadership skills and experience in fostering new AI-centric businesses make him an excellent choice for companies looking to navigate the next wave of digital innovation.

PepTalk Fact: Adrian served as an expert member of the UK AI Council, advising the government on AI strategy 🤖

⮕ Learn more and book Adrian Joseph as a speaker.

Andrew Grill

Andrew Grill is a former IBM Global Managing Partner and a practical futurist specialising in helping organisations navigate digital disruption. His expertise in AI, digital transformation, and strategic leadership prepares businesses for the challenges of tomorrow. Andrew’s actionable insights into leveraging technology for long-term success make him a valuable speaker for companies looking to future-proof their business strategies.

PepTalk Fact: Andrew has delivered talks in over 40 countries 🌍

⮕ Learn more and book Andrew Grill as a speaker.

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• Workplace Priorities: PepTalk's Most Requested Topics In 2024. From effective leadership to change management.

💡 Would you like to boost your organisation's leadership skills and expand minds with an expert speaker? Let us know, and we’ll find the perfect PepTalk expert for your organisation. 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!