If you’re planning a business event and want it to make an impact, don’t waste time with hot air. Sure, it’s great-sounding hot air, but it’s still hot air all the same.
You need a no-nonsense business speaker who’s not just inspirational, but useful. Someone who’s been in the trenches, made the money, lost it, made it back and knows how to show others how to do the same.
I’ve been on both sides of the stage. I know what lands and what falls flat. So if you’re looking to hire a business keynote speaker who actually gets results, here’s my list of the best business speakers you should consider for your next event.
What Makes a Great Business Speaker?
Great business motivational speakers aren’t just someone who has a strong stage presence. They need to deliver value that you and your team can use the next day and beyond. That means:
- Experience: Have they actually built or run businesses?
- Real stories: Not recycled TED Talk fluff.
- Energy: Can they hold attention and move a room?
- Actionable insights: Will your audience leave with steps, not slogans?
- Custom relevance: Do they understand your audience and industry?
The Top 10 Business Speakers in the UK in 2025
Here’s who’s worth your time and money in 2025:
1. Matt Haycox – The No-Nonsense Business Builder
How could I not include myself in this list? I’ve built businesses. Lost millions. Made it back. I fund startups, mentor founders, work as a business consultant and speak at events where people want results, not just inspiration. If you want stories from the trenches and real, actionable advice, I’m your guy.
- Topics: Business growth, creative funding, real-world strategy, startup resilience
- Style: Straight-talking, zero waffle, high-impact
- As seen at: Business Show, Elite Business Live, NatWest Entrepreneur Events
2. Holly Tucker MBE – Champion of Creative Business
Co-founder of notonthehighstreet.com and founder of Holly & Co, Holly Tucker has helped inject over £1 billion into the UK economy by empowering small businesses. A passionate advocate for creativity, purpose and entrepreneurial spirit, she brings bags of energy and optimism.
- Topics: Purpose-led business, creative entrepreneurship, brand building
- Style: Warm, inspirational, visionary
- As seen at: Enterprise Nation Festival, Happy Place Festival, SME XPO
3. Steven Bartlett – Voice of the Next Generation
Founder of Social Chain and host of The Diary of a CEO, one of the UK’s most popular podcasts. You’ll no doubt also recognise Steven as one of the Dragons from TV’s Dragon’s Den. Steven connects amazingly well with younger audiences and startup communities, using a mix of personal stories and business insights.
- Topics: Startup growth, modern leadership, personal branding, mindset
- Style: Authentic, engaging, story-driven
- As seen at: Web Summit, Founders Forum, BBC, TEDx
4. Baroness Karren Brady – Leadership with Backbone
Vice-chair of West Ham United and a peer in the House of Lords, Karren Brady is a leading voice on leadership, inclusion and breaking down barriers. Known for her role as Alan Sugar’s right-hand woman on The Apprentice, she’s as sharp as a tack and brings brilliant insight and wit to her talks.
- Topics: Leadership, management, women in business, resilience
- Style: Direct, motivational, empowering
- As seen at: Women of the Year Awards, CBI Conference, Lloyds Banking Group
5. Jeremy Schwartz – Innovation & Impact
Former CEO of The Body Shop and Pandora, and executive at Coca-Cola and L’Oréal, Jeremy Schwartz has led some of the world’s biggest brands. He speaks on sustainability, AI, ethical transformation and future-facing leadership.
- Topics: Innovation, digital transformation, sustainability, purpose-led strategy
- Style: Energetic, forward-thinking, thought-provoking
- As seen at: Retail Week Live, FT Global Summit, Marketing Society
6. Mary Portas – The Brand Transformation Queen
Known as the ‘Queen of Shops’, Mary Portas is a retail expert, broadcaster and advocate for strong business ethics. Her talks combine decades of experience with a vision for keeping the human side to the way we work.
- Topics: Brand transformation, ethical business, the future of retail
- Style: Bold, opinionated, inspiring
- As seen at: Creative Equals, Hay Festival, Vogue Business Events
7. Kevin Gaskell – The High-Performance Leader
Former CEO of Porsche and BMW UK, Kevin Gaskell is also a record-breaking adventurer. He inspires teams and leaders to achieve amazing results, whether in the boardroom or crossing the Atlantic.
- Topics: Leadership, business turnaround, high-performance culture, resilience
- Style: Motivational, strategic, action-oriented
- As seen at: Vistage UK, Tech Leadership Summit, Inspire Europe
8. Sara Davies MBE – Product-Led Growth Expert
Founder of Crafter’s Companion and investor on Dragon’s Den, Sara Davies built a global craft empire from her university dorm room. She’s a favourite for audiences looking to understand product scaling and creative business.
- Topics: Entrepreneurship, product development, scaling, female leadership
- Style: Down-to-earth, relatable, energetic
- As seen at: BBC, Women Mean Business, Craft Retail Shows
9. Tamara Lohan MBE – The Luxury Tech Founder
After self-publishing a hotel guide, Tamara Lohan turned it into Mr & Mrs Smith, a multi-million pound global travel brand, acquired by Hyatt. She speaks on grit, customer obsession and digital innovation.
- Topics: Startup resilience, brand building, tech in luxury, customer experience
- Style: Honest, strategic, entrepreneurial
- As seen at: Tech Talks, Hospitality Innovation Summit, London Business School
10. Sir Martin Sorrell – The Media Strategy Titan
Founder and former CEO of WPP, Sir Martin Sorrell is a huge figure in global marketing and advertising. Now leading S4 Capital, he shares his thoughts on media, digital transformation and big-brand strategy.
- Topics: Global marketing, media strategy, business growth at scale
- Style: Sharp, analytical, executive-focused
- As seen at: Cannes Lions, World Economic Forum, Advertising Week
How to Choose the Right Speaker for Your Event
You don’t always need to hire a big name. Yes, a speaker who’s featured on Dragon’s Den or The Apprentice can draw a crowd, but they might not necessarily fit or deliver the message you want to get across. You need a speaker who’ll move the needle. One who has been through what you’ve been through (and want to avoid going through). Here’s what to consider when choosing the right speaker for your business event:
- Audience fit: Will they relate? Will the message resonate?
- Topic relevance: Does the speaker tailor content to your goals?
- Delivery style: High energy? Interactive? Practical?
- Budget: Don’t blow your whole event budget on one name.
- Impact: Will people talk about it after? Will they take action?
- ROI: How will the speaker inspire actionable change?
For more information, read my article on measuring the ROI of business speakers.
Ready to Book a Speaker for Your Next Event?
Booking inspirational business speakers isn’t about ticking a box or securing a famous face. It’s about engaging a room full of knowledge-hungry professionals who want to learn. You want to inspire change, not just entertain. The right speaker can shift mindsets, spark ideas and prevent people from making big mistakes.
Here are my key takeaways:
- Carefully choose a speaker based on audience fit, topic relevance and delivery style to ensure maximum impact – don’t just go for a name.
- Assess the potential return on investment by considering how the speaker will inspire actionable change and post-event discussion.
- Engaging the right speaker can transform an event by shifting mindsets and sparking innovation among attendees.
If you’re planning an event and want a speaker who cuts through the noise, speaks from experience and helps your audience level up, you know where to find me. Book me as a speaker at your next business event.
