Speaker management for exceptional voices

David Lammy has written for the Financial Times on a question that is becoming increasingly important for the UK: how do we build our own AI capabilities while navigating growing competition between the US and China?

Drawing on his experience as Foreign Secretary, David looks at AI through a geopolitical as well as technological lens — examining the UK's reliance on overseas technology, the security questions surrounding Chinese AI models, and the need to invest in and champion British AI companies.

Karen Blackett CBE has launched a new podcast This Is Leadership in partnership with British Airways, exploring leadership as it is actually practised.

Co-hosting the series with Katie Lloyd, Karen speaks to ten leaders from very different worlds to examine the experiences, decisions and challenges that have shaped how they lead.

Eva Omaghomi CVO PhD (h.c.) has launched Brand63Africa's first pop-up at Harrods, bringing a curated group of African and diasporic luxury designers to one of the world’s most prestigious retail stages.

Dr Julia Ebner’s new book, The Language of Terrorists, tackles one of the most difficult questions in the study of online extremism: when do words become a credible warning of real-world violence?

A new documentary puts Adam Pearson, and a remarkable career spent challenging perceptions of disability, at the centre of the story.

Professor Thomas Curran spoke to the BBC's Katty Kay about the acute rise of perfectionism in the young and why social media and screens are not the only things to blame.

John Kampfner writes in The Guardian on Germany, the rise of the AfD and the pressures now facing its democratic institutions.

Drawing on decades of reporting on Germany, as well as his own experience as a German citizen, John considers both the seriousness of the current political moment and the reasons he retains faith in the country’s ability to respond.

As AI becomes one of the ways we understand the world, a new question is emerging: who is shaping what it tells us?.

In his latest paper for Demos, GEO for Geopolitics, Carl Miller examines a new frontier in information warfare — how the online information retrieved by AI models can be deliberately manipulated to influence the answers they give.

Adam Kingl was recently on BBC Radio London discussing a topic that resonates with many organisations today: how the way we eat influences the way we work.

Drawing on ideas from his new book Executive Eats, Adam explored the links between nutrition, wellbeing and performance, making the case that preparing food is about far more than healthy eating. It can support concentration, creativity, sustained energy and even strengthen the habits and connections that underpin effective working.

As Britain welcomes yet another new prime minister and British politics enters another period of change, John Kampfner turns his attention to what the latest shift in leadership could mean for the UK — and how it will be understood beyond its borders.

In his latest Citizen of Everywhere Substack, John examines the political and economic challenges facing Andy Burnham, from devolution and public services to Britain’s relationship with Europe and its place on the international stage.

Few people have experienced global sport from as many angles as Lord Sebastian Coe.

In a wide-ranging recent podcast with Harry Stebbings and Charlie Stebbings at Business of Sport, Seb reflects on the evolution of athletics, the commercial realities facing elite athletes, and the responsibility of sporting organisations to remain relevant to new generations. The breadth of his experience — as an Olympic athlete, political figure, leader of London 2012 and President of World Athletics — and his understanding of sport do not operate in isolation. Questions of governance, economics, geopolitics and social change are all part of the landscape.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkOLlNSHkic&t=1242s

New research from Dr Thomas Curran adds further depth to an increasingly important conversation about perfectionism and the pressures facing young people.

Published in Psychological Bulletin, the study draws on 35 years of data from almost 100,000 college students across the US, UK and Canada. Its findings suggest that perfectionism is not only rising but accelerating, and that the causes may go deeper than the influence of smartphones and social media, with wider economic and societal pressures also playing a role.

You can read the full paper from the American Psychological Association.

Alexis Conran has launched a new Substack looking at the sharp rise in fraud across the UK. With 4.5 million incidents reported last year—up from 3.2 million in 2024. Losses hitting £14.4 billion, he explores what’s really going on behind the numbers, and why the true scale is likely even bigger.

Drawing on more than 20 years spent exposing scams on TV, Alexis shares practical advice, real stories, and insights into how fraudsters actually operate, helping readers better spot and avoid increasingly sophisticated scams.

Subscribe to Alexis’ Substack here: https://scamproofyourlife.substack.com/

As artificial intelligence continues to reshape the digital landscape, it is also creating new challenges for child safety and online privacy.

Earlier this week, Dr Elaine Kasket joined the BBC's Woman's Hour to discuss reports from the National Crime Agency highlighting how offenders are exploiting AI technologies to target children in increasingly sophisticated ways.

Morgan McSweeney’s recent Financial Times interview offers a rare insight into the thinking behind campaigns, leadership and the realities of governing. It is a candid reflection on preparation, judgement and the decisions that shape political outcomes long before they reach the public stage.

While SXSW has spent nearly four decades bringing together leaders from business, technology, culture and the creative industries in Austin, its London edition is only in its second year.

As Co-Chair of the SXSW London Advisory Council, Eva Omaghomi CVO PhD (h.c.) has played a pivotal role in establishing the festival's identity. Working alongside fellow council members, she has helped shape this year's programme, exploring topics ranging from AI and the future of power to creativity, culture and the changing nature of society.

Vestpod founder Emilie Bellet joined #whattheeuros, the European Central Bank podcast hosted by Catherine Steer, to discuss how rising prices are shaping everyday financial decisions.

Financial literacy isn't simply about understanding markets or products. It's about helping people navigate uncertainty with greater confidence, make informed choices, and build long-term resilience.

Catherine Mayer's new book release, Divide and Rule: Royal Women and Their Battles.

Drawing on figures from Anne Boleyn to Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, the book explores how royal women have been cast in competition with one another—and what those stories reveal about power, gender and the narratives societies choose to amplify.

In conversation with editor-in-chief of The Observer, James Harding, and former foreign secretary David Miliband at the Royal Society Of Arts, John Kampfner explored how societies can respond to long-term challenges by looking beyond familiar assumptions.

Drawing on examples from countries including Japan, Taiwan, Finland, Canada and Austria, the discussion focused on practical ideas that have already been tested elsewhere—and what they might teach us about leadership, public policy and democratic renewal.

John's book A Braver New World is a timely addition to the debate, and a reminder that optimism is most credible when it is backed by evidence.

In her recent, wide-ranging conversation with Steve Usher on The Experience Designers Show, behaviour scientist and founder of Mindscope Lea Karam, challenges one of the most familiar assumptions in communication: that our attention spans are shrinking.

On the show she also explores other fascinating subjects such as how she works with the BBC to introduce its programme on YouTube, and the myths she wants to debunk about Gen Zs.

In a wide-ranging and candid conversation, the former Downing Street Chief of Staff reflects on Labour's time in government, discussing the challenges of preparing for power, the realities of delivering change at pace, and the lessons he has taken from one of the most turbulent periods in recent British politics.

Morgan also shares his thoughts on the future of the Labour Party, the importance of stronger regional leadership, and why he intends to step away from frontline politics for the next chapter of his career.

It's a fascinating insight from someone who has operated at the very centre of political strategy and decision-making.

Oliver Burkeman's launch on BBC Maestro is another sign that organisations are rethinking what productivity really means.

Best known for his bestselling book Four Thousand Weeks, Burkeman has challenged the traditional narrative of time management for years. Rather than offering another system to squeeze more into the working day, he argues that accepting our limitations allows us to focus on what matters most—a message that is increasingly resonating with business leaders.

In a recent episode of In Confidence with Lisa Sun, Dr Helena Boschi explores what burnout really looks like through the lens of neuroscience.

Rather than treating burnout as a sudden event, Helena explains it as the cumulative effect of sustained stress on the brain and body. She discusses why forgetfulness, irritability and the feeling of being constantly busy without making progress are often early warning signs, not personal failings.

We are delighted to welcome Morgan McSweeney to the Speaking Office roster.

From chief architect of Labour’s landslide general election victory in 2024 to the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff, Morgan has spent his career at the sharp end of politics and power. He brings a rare understanding of how power is won, lost, rebuilt and exercised.

His keynote topics explore leadership in unstable environments, strategic risk, decision-making under pressure, the changing relationship between democracy and technology, and rebuilding credibility. He also addresses how leaders and institutions adapt when the old rules no longer apply.

We are very much looking forward to working with you, Morgan!

Nic Hamilton has achieved a truly memorable milestone by winning the Jack Sears Trophy at Snetterton, securing his first piece of silverware in the British Touring Car Championship.

It was a deeply emotional and hard-earned victory, reflecting years of perseverance, commitment, and steady progress in one of the most competitive series in UK motorsport. For Nic, this win represents far more than a trophy; it is a powerful moment of recognition for the resilience and determination he has shown throughout his racing career. The reaction from the crowd underlined just how special the achievement was, with the podium moment carrying real emotion and meaning. A breakthrough result like this is a reminder of the value of persistence, belief, and continuing to push forward even when the path has not been easy.

In a recent conversation with The Health Review, cyberpsychologist and author Dr Elaine Kasket explored how technology is reshaping our relationships, attention and sense of agency.

From “attentional infidelity” and the erosion of human connection to the growing tendency to outsource difficult decisions to AI, Elaine examines the psychological consequences of living in an increasingly digital world.

She also challenges the idea of AI companionship, arguing that meaningful relationships require reciprocity, responsibility and mutual care — qualities that technology cannot truly replicate.

Watch the full interview here.

Hospitality leader and keynote speaker Peter Avis features in the latest Fireside Chat from Hestia Guest Services, a wide-ranging conversation on culture, craftsmanship, and the human foundations of truly exceptional experience.

Dr Paul Redmond was a guest on The Jeremy Vine Show on BBC Radio2 earlier in the week offering a clear and practical view of how work is shifting with the advent of AI.

His view is that AI is reshaping tasks rather than replacing people outright, which puts the emphasis on how effectively individuals can work alongside it. At the same time, as intelligence becomes more accessible, distinctly human capabilities—judgement, communication, and the ability to navigate uncertainty—are becoming more valuable, not less.

His argument moves the focus away from traditional markers like job titles or qualifications, and towards where someone can add unique value in more fluid, less predictable environments