THE CLOSER SPEAKERS' CONSULTANCY LTD - INNER CIRCLE - IN DEPTH

Every organisation needs an Inner Circle. A group that can be trusted to deliver on all occasions.

Meet the Inner Circle of The Closer Speakers' Consultancy. My trusted cadre of speakers covers an array of topics including: leadership, AI & Technology, The Future, Cyber Security, High Performance, Creativity and Innovation, Motivation, Communication and Engagement, Emotional Intelligence,

ANDREW BRYANT

Andrew Bryant, CSP , founder of Self Leadership International and Past President of the Professional Speakers Association of Spain, is an esteemed authority on self-leadership and achieving rapid results without sacrificing humanity.

Clients seek Andrew’s expertise to infuse a human touch into leadership, particularly in today’s digital and post-pandemic landscape. Working adeptly with disruptive forces, he underscores that effective leadership hinges on meaningful conversations, both one-on-one and one-to-many.

In his fourth book, “The New Leadership Playbook,” commissioned by a client, Andrew outlines twelve essential conversations for leaders. His signature keynote speech unveils solutions to strike a balance between humanity and swift outcomes.

“Andrew Bryant brings energy and high-level leadership programs to meetings, conferences, and coaching. I watched him kick off conferences, and he completely transforms the energy in the room. Andrew is the expert you call when you need a charismatic speaker to motivate and inspire real change and effective leadership.”

Mary Kelly, PHDCommander - US Navy

ELIN HAUGE

Elin Hauge , an AI visionary, insists that AI should be a paramount concern for every leader. With over two decades of experience bridging business and data-driven technologies, she seamlessly connects business strategy and AI application. Her approach is refreshingly down-to-earth, shedding light on the possibilities and responsibilities surrounding AI.

Elin doesn’t stop at the present; she gazes into the future, painting scenarios that challenge our beliefs. Her mantra? “The future of artificial intelligence is not human less, it’s human more.” Her talks offer practical advice, providing tangible solutions to harness AI’s benefits, navigate regulations, and integrate AI seamlessly into organizations.

Elin’s academic prowess, with a MEng in Biophysics and Medical Technology and a MSc in Management Science and Operational Research, provides an unshakable foundation for her insights. She demystifies AI, making it accessible for competitive advantage.

In essence, Elin Hauge is your guide through the AI revolution, an expert storyteller who unravels the complex tapestry of AI’s potential, making it an essential part of your organization’s future.

"Elin has an amazing presence and makes intense an intriguing connections with the audience. She is clear, moves her audience along, and is very well informed on the topic and fully prepared. I must say, as an AI professional myself, Elin’s talk was quite inspirational."

Inge Grini Founder & CEO

GEORGE ANDERSON

George Anderson , a dynamic motivator at the intersection of wellbeing and high performance, is a seasoned storyteller who bridges the gap between knowledge and action. With two decades of expertise, George captivates audiences, drawing from personal experiences to provide practical tools for lasting transformation.

In his motivational sessions, George empowers individuals to become the heroes of their own stories. He champions a philosophy of “progress, not perfection,” making wellbeing and performance accessible.

George’s journey began with an engineering master’s degree, but his passion led him to wellbeing. In 2002, he launched a successful personal training business, mentoring aspiring trainers and transitioning into professional speaking.

A dedicated runner, George partnered with the Reading Half Marathon for 13 years. He built a vibrant online running community, delivering workshops on enhancing athletic performance and mindset.

George authored the Amazon bestseller “Beginner’s Luck Guide for Non-Runners,” transforming lives through running. His second book, “Work in Progress,” introduces journaling as a tool for resilience and success.

George’s presentations draw from neuro linguistic programming, neuroscience coaching, and positive psychology. He’s conquered ultra-endurance feats, including ten marathons and the “Frog Graham Round.”

“George energised our teams with his engaging style, and everyone had practical and actionable take away from the session. When wanting to perform at our best at work, it is essential to understand how to feel and be our best self first; and George can support any team with achieving this”

Boris Huard Managing Director, EMEA GBG Plc

LASSE ROUHIAINEN

Lasse Rouhiainen , an international author and speaker on AI and ChatGPT, has given seminars in 18 countries. His expertise spans many fields: from technology and tourism to banking and education.

His seminars and workshops focus on training companies to gain a competitive advantage from generative AI tools such as ChatGPT. He provides a comprehensive strategy for the effective integration of ChatGPT into your company’s operations. His presentations are not only easy to understand but also highly engaging.

Lasse captures the attention of his audience by presenting real-life case studies and giving examples of how to create business value from generative AI. With these insights, he shows how business leaders can leverage AI to gain a competitive advantage in their industries.

He has written for prestigious publications such as Harvard Business Review, BBC, and Business Insider. As a bestselling author, his book ‘Artificial Intelligence: 101 Things You Need to Know Today About Our Future’ has been a bestselling book on Amazon and is available in seven languages.

Lasse travels the world to help companies and organizations better understand and implement the latest digital marketing and social media marketing strategies. He has conducted trainings and seminars for companies and organizations from several different sectors and spoken in United States, England, Spain, Finland, Estonia, Lithuania, Colombia, Honduras and Guatemala.

"In 2017, I had the fortunate opportunity to attend one of Lasse's lectures, where he insightfully predicted that AI would revolutionize every business process and industry. At that time, AI wasn't a widely discussed topic, yet I was privileged to be among Lasse's students. His visionary approach consistently places him 2-3 years ahead of the curve. Fast forward to November 2023, I attended Lasse's presentation on how entrepreneurs can leverage Generative AI. The session was so compelling that Lasse received a standing ovation, and the audience eagerly engaged him with numerous questions. Personally, I gained a substantial number of actionable insights on implementing ChatGPT and generative AI in my business. I eagerly anticipate attending more of his seminars."

Liisa Siitonen Social media expert, lecturer and consultant

MARIT STROMOY

Marit Strømøy , born in september 1976 in Sandefjord, Norway, started racing in the inshore class T-250 (now GT15). After three years in the class and numerous podium finishes she set a World Record and moved on to the S-550 class. S-550 is a catamaran class with a 550 ccm 2-stroke engine and a top speed of about 120 km/h. With support from the Tohatsu factory and her father as the main mechanic, she won the European Championship three times and the Nordic Championship two times. In 1999 Marit moved up to the much faster F2 class and adapted quickly to the speed and G-forces of the F2 catamaran.

In 2002 she competed in the President Cupin the United Arab Emirates and Qatar and did a great result. After being runner up in the Championship, Marit returned home and changed her old Seebold Catamaran into a Mollgard. With the Mollgard she raced in the Scandinavian, World and European Series for several years and in 2007 she finished third in the European Championship after a series of many races. The same year she got to fulfill her long lived dream and raced her first F1 race for F1 Team Sweden.

The dream had come reality and the year after she races for the Italian Rainbow Team, before she returned to Team Sweden the following two years. From 2006-2009 she also took part in the 24 hours of Rouen, 8 hours of Egypt and 8hours of Poland together with a French team in Class 2. The team climbed the podium of the legendary 24 hours of Rouen three times with Marit as a driver. In 2010 and 2012 she raced in Offshore Class 1 in Brazil and China for Team Welmax and Team Sanya. Although she enjoyed her time in the big Offshore catamaran, Marit confirmed that her main goals were inside inshore and the F1 H20 World Championship.

Taking the Pole Position in Portimao, Portugal as the first female racer in any top class in International Motorsport, she became historic. After leading the race for 15 laps she collided with another boat and both went out of the race in a dramatic crash. The race was over, but the dream had just begun!

MONICA VERMA

Monica Verma is considered a leading spokesperson for cybersecurity, digitalization, cloud computing, and innovation, bridging the security and talent gap, and helping stakeholders apply information security to support their business and societal goals. Through her various leadership and advisory roles, clear and simple communication, as well as close collaboration with executives and top management, she has led many security and digital transformation projects for global businesses.

Throughout her career, she has been building security and talent for businesses and society “to drive innovation and enable them to do things today they weren’t able to do yesterday”. She has a global background and has worked in multiple countries with international organizations throughout her career, engaging and speaking with her audience all over the world.

In addition to her CISO role, due to her strong passion for the industry, the people, and the businesses, she founded and is the CEO of Cyber Foyer and MonicaTalksCyber. Monica has been providing valuable and practical information to her audience and the community worldwide to help build and bridge the security and talent gap, demystifying security myths, and doing that through her real-world experiences and stories in an easily digestible and emotionally engaging format without jargon.

She has built a huge cyber following and community from 500 to 15000 within just 1.5 years and is growing. Monica Talks Cyber (her podcast show) has already been downloaded more than 6,000 times, only after 2 seasons. She spreads awareness, information, and real-life practical tips on security, privacy, leadership, career hacks, and risk management through various platforms.

“I've been in InfoSec for well over 20 years, and had the opportunity to meet and work with thousands of highly skilled people in the industry. Monica is unique amongst them all. She's experienced, thoughtful, articulate and more importantly -- Monica is genuinely passionate InfoSec. For her, InfoSec is not just a career choice, but a personal calling. Her enthusiasm comes through in absolutely everything she does from her day-to-day work, her writing, and public appearances. She's always eager to help when asked and incredibly determined to make a real difference. And when she has new ideas to share, I listen."

Jeremiah GrossmanCEO BitDiscovery

MONIKA BIELSKYTE

Monika Bielskyte , a seasoned explorer and visionary, offers a unique perspective forged through years of globetrotting and deep research. Her journey has unveiled the intricate dance between social and political ideologies and the course of innovation.

Inclusive Innovation: Monika champions “protopian futurism,” a viewpoint that reimagines the future by embracing marginalized perspectives, from disability and neurodivergence to indigenousness and queerness. Her vision places technology as a culturally informed tool, shaping not only human progress but also planetary well-being.

Foresight Pioneer: Monika’s career began in XR and science fiction, where she confronted bias and techno-solutionism long before they entered the mainstream. Today, her focus lies in leveraging disabled and neurodivergent insights to redesign content, architecture, and technology for inclusivity and sensory comfort.

Agent of Positive Change: Monika doesn’t passively predict the future; she actively engineers it. Her talks provide actionable paths to innovation and transformative outlooks, benefiting organizations and the world at large.

Beyond the Podium: Monika offers futurist consulting and foresight strategy workshops. She collaborates with media giants, guiding them in future-focused projects like Marvel’s Black Panther. Monika also partners with R&D teams to infuse their innovations with cultural depth.

Global Influence: With six continents as her stage, Monika has addressed diverse audiences, from tech conferences to exclusive executive gatherings. Her visually rich keynotes demystify complex topics, from science fiction’s role in shaping priorities to regenerative future cities.

Monika Bielskyte, a beacon of foresight and inclusivity, empowers individuals and organizations to navigate an evolving world with compassion and vision. Her visionary approach enriches the dialogue on technology, culture, and the future, fostering positive global change.

"Monika Bielskyte is NOT a person. Monika Bielskyte is an extraordinary and inspirational force of nature. In the twin realms of technology and creativity, she is a swirling mass of information, innovation, insight and connections - one of the leading voices in future tech. If you want to dance along the bleeding edge of art and creativity, Monika is the jedi you're looking for.”

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RICARDO CABETE

Ricardo Cabete is a highly sought after and interactive keynote speaker, booked time and time again to share his expertise on emotional intelligence. Travelling the world, Ricardo imparts his wisdom on how business leaders can use communication to create emotional connections with their employees, in turn increasing employee engagement, productivity and workplace satisfaction. Having worked with a multitude of clients, including Fortune 500 companies, Ricardo is a fantastic addition to conferences as an emotional intelligence speaker.

Alongside his keynote speaking engagements, Ricardo has spent several years performing as the lead singer in a rock band who has sung alongside famed bands such as The Black Eyed Peas, The Prodigy and Iggy Pop. Using his performance experience as a singer, Ricardo delivers interactive, insightful and powerful keynote speeches on everything from resilience and adaptability to stress management and emotionally intelligent communication.

Boosting results in staff retention and profitability, Ricardo’s speeches have seen him claim the 2017 European Champions of Public Speaking award from Toastmasters International. He has also been invited to deliver a TEDx talk and has spoken for a variety of industries including HR, banking and insurance. Covering topics such as engagement leadership and high performance, Ricardo also helps his business clients to obtain high ROI.

With signature keynote speeches such as The Engagement Sherlock Holmes and The Master of Emotions, Ricardo is highly sought after for his wisdom surrounding emotionally intelligent communication. Recognised as a ‘rare speaker’ by MFL Global and to have ‘relevant and practical insights’ by the Head of Marketing of Ageas, Ricardo is renowned for his abilities to increase employee engagement. When looking for an engaging and inspiring speaker to help your company with employee engagement, workplace satisfaction and productivity through emotional intelligence, book Ricardo Cabete today.

"Ricardo was the keynote speaker at our first face-to-face conference in over three years. His presentation was engaging, fun, thought-provoking and extremely memorable. Feedback from delegates was very positive and I totally recommend Ricardo."

Daniel Shah EMEA Executive Director Nexia International

RISHAD AHMED

Rishad Ahmed ╰☆╮ is a Keynote Speaker, Leadership Coach and Author focusing on helping individuals and companies transition and thrive in the age of AI using Eternal Wisdom and modern leadership strategy.

Empower Your Organization for a Sustainable, Inspired Future. With over 5,000 Public Speaking hours, 10,000 hours Professional Coaching and Mentoring hours to Fortune 500 Companies Worldwide, Rishad has the experience and wisdom to inspire your organization.

Picture a world where corporate leadership is a force for good, where success is defined by ethical practices, and where the well-being of people and our planet matters as much as profit. Rishad Ahmed is on a mission to turn this vision into a reality. With a career deeply rooted in corporate leadership and a passion for driving positive change, he is your guide to unlocking the remarkable potential within your organization.

Why Book Rishad?

Holistic Thinking for Sustainable Success:

Imagine a business world where every decision is guided by a commitment to making the world a better place. We’ll journey through the stories of global giants like Unilever and Patagonia, where holistic thinking doesn’t just reduce costs and boost profits; it transforms lives, protects our planet, and instills a sense of purpose. The key to both sustainability and profitability is in your hands, waiting to be unlocked through a more comprehensive, interconnected approach.

Wisdom-Driven Leadership for Empowered Teams:

Close your eyes and envision an organization where employees thrive, where innovation flourishes, and where leaders inspire the best in people. Rishad will reveal the profound impact of wisdom-driven leadership, as witnessed at Google and The Body Shop. Witness the transformation as wise leaders elevate employee satisfaction, drive productivity, fuel innovation, and retain top talent. Learn how the art of empowering teams and nurturing a positive work culture drives not just business growth but a sense of unity and purpose that’s truly priceless.

“We had the privilege of having Rishad as a speaker at our Annual Conference ‘The Coaching Conclave 2023’. Rishad brought so much insights and depth in his talks that kept the audience engaged and intrigued. He is blessed with an uncanny ability to bring the essence of the Eastern philosophy and progressive nature of the western world. His understanding around some fundamental questions about the nature of reality, consciousness, and existence, duality, and how they connect with human potential/ leadership clarifies a lot of questions/ doubts people/ leaders might have.”

Gaurav Arora MCC (ICF)

TIM REID

Tim Reid , a luminary in the realm of creativity and innovation, is best known for co-creating the BAFTA-winning BBC One sitcom, Car Share, and Dave’s Meet The Richardsons. He’s not just a comedy writer; he’s a passionate advocate for inspiring creativity on a grand scale.

With over 25 years of experience working with creative giants like What If!, McCann Erickson, and the BBC, Tim brings a wealth of expertise as an inventor, writer, planner, and leader. His track record includes re-imagining the future for clients ranging from Carling to Coca-Cola, Danone to Durex, igniting their creative potential.

Tim’s speaking engagements traverse the globe, where he imparts his wisdom on boosting creative prowess and generating groundbreaking ideas. His aim is to galvanize teams to think differently, fostering audacious and agile thinking.

Tim delves into the significance of humor in the workplace, unraveling the neurological impact of laughter and why our best ideas emerge when we’re having fun. He shares the tools and techniques employed by comedians and comedy writers to consistently generate fresh material.

Drawing from the wisdom of advertising legend David Ogilvy, Tim emphasizes making thinking as funny as possible to unlock innovation. Tim Reid, a true maestro of creativity, inspires organizations to elevate their creative game, break free from conventional thought, and reinvent their businesses with humor and imagination.

"Tim’s content added so much value to our members’ experience. We have had nothing but great feedback from our members who thoroughly enjoyed the day."

Leadership Team The Recruitment Network

"Tim is the man we regularly turn to for creative or strategic inspiration. He brings a precious mix of business ‘smartness’ and ingenious thinking to every piece of work"

Tim Downing Head of Research and Futures Molson Coors Brewing