Environment & Sustainability speakers

Adam Henson is perhaps the best-known farmer in the UK, presenting his own section on BBC's Countryfile to millions of viewers each Sunday evening.

Ben Fogle has rowed the Atlantic Ocean, crossed Antarctica on foot, run across the Sahara and crossed the Empty Quarter on camel. He has presented numerous hit programmes on the BBC, ITV and Channel 5 including, New Lives in the Wild, Extreme Dreams, Countrywise, Harbour Lives, Through Hell and High Water and Crufts. He writes regularly for the Sunday Telegraph and has written six Sunday Times bestseller books. He is an ambassador for WWF, Medecins Sans Frontier and Tusk, Centrepoint and the Princes Trust, a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and patron of The Royal Parks Foundation. Ben is a special correspondent for NBC News in the United States, reporting from all over the world for Today, Dateline and MSNBC Nightly News.

With his dual identity as a medical doctor and explorer, Bertrand Piccard has become an influential voice heard among the most distinguished institutions across the globe as a forward-thinking leader in progress and sustainability. He is independent, not affiliated to a particular party or lobbying group, and as such is a trusted adviser and influencer for the development of new societal solutions, and a very sought-after speaker for private and public audiences.

For over 20 years, Bianca has campaigned for social and economic justice and environmental protection throughout the world. She is Founder and Chair of the Bianca Jagger Human Rights Foundation, Council of Europe Goodwill Ambassador, Member of the Executive Director's Leadership Council of Amnesty International USA and Trustee of the Amazon Charitable Trust. Her work has been award-winning, receiving the Earth Day Award from the UN in the 1990s, as well as the Green Globe Award from the Rain Forest Alliance, and an 'Abolitionist of the Year' award from the US National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty.

Bill Oddie is an English writer, composer, musician, comedian, artist, ornithologist, conservationist and television presenter.

Captain Brian Nibbs draws upon his several years’ experience of a sea-going career and his marine-related experiences in positions ashore. His talk is specifically tailored to the audience and is interspersed with maritime anecdotes and memories.

Chandran leads what he believes is a pioneering concept - an organisation focused on the relationship of Asian society and values with those of the rest of the world. He is the founder of the Global Institute for Tomorrow, which is a think-tank dedicated to advancing an understanding of the impacts of globalisation through thought leadership and positive action to effect change. Nair is a renowned international speaker, writer and facilitator and leading expert on globalisation and development in Asia.

Charlie was IKEA UKs first Sustainability manager in 1998, led the UK sustainability organisation for over 15 years and was an IKEA global sustainability auditing leader.

Charlie is passionate about the environment and communicating his enthusiasm for sustainable architecture and design. He has combined his design work with writing and presenting television programmes for the last fifteen years and currently fronts Building the Dream for More4.

Chicco is Chairman of the Board of Roma Metropolitane, the company in charge of the construction of the new underground lines in Rome. He is also a Senior Partner at Rothschild Italia, a member of the Board of Directors of Lloyd Adriatico and RAS, Chairman of the Board of Telit Communications PLC and Chairman of the Board of E.V.A., a company developing hydropower generation plants. He is currently a member of the Expert Advisory Committee of the European Carbon Fund and also Chairman of the Organising Committee of the 20th World Energy Congress.

Chris Packham is an English naturalist, nature photographer, television presenter and author, best known for his television work including the children’s nature series The Really Wild Show in the 1980s.

Chris Turner is author of the book “The War on Science”, and the bestsellers, “The Geography of Hope: A Tour of the World We Need” and “The Great Leap: How to Survive and Thrive in the Sustainable Economy” where he sheds light on the global sustainability movement. Turner is one of Canada’s leading writers and speakers on sustainability and the global clean-tech industry. His reporting on energy, climate and sustainability issues appears regularly in The Walrus, The Globe & Mail, Canadian Geographic and many other publications.

Christopher is a leading voice on the potential for new energy technologies and strategies to replace fossil fuels - increasing energy security and avoiding dangerous climate change. Christopher’s two decades of energy research and writing encompasses solar energy, wind power, bio energy, geothermal power and energy efficiency. He is President of the Worldwatch Institute, a Washington-based international research organisation focused on energy, resource and environmental issues.

She is a founder of the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, set up in 2003, a charity which takes young people aged between 8-24 sailing to help them regain their confidence on their way to recovery from cancer, leukaemia and other serious illnesses. Having become acutely aware of the finite nature of the resources our linear economy relies upon, she stepped away from professional sailing in 2009 to launch the Ellen MacArthur Foundation following 4 years traveling the world and researching the challenges facing our current global economy.nd the circular economy to life.

David Aaronovitch is one of the best-known journalists and current affairs broadcasters in the UK, winning awards for political journalism and being named 'Columnist of the Year' by What The Papers Say. David’s fascination with some of the more arcane aspects of public life and debate led to the Voodoo Histories book on the impact of conspiracy theories.

Although David Cadman is by discipline an urban land economist, he has a number of visiting professorial appointments and his recent writing and speaking is about the ways in which we need to change our ways of being to face up to climate change, resource depletion and a fragile financial system. This includes his work on Love.

David began his career as an architectural psychologist studying the interactions between people and buildings, publishing and providing consultancy on the designs of offices, schools, prisons, housing and other building forms. His work in architecture led to studies of human reactions in fires and other emergencies. David went on to pioneered investigative psychology in Britain, setting up journals and aiding the police in 1985 on the Railway Rapist case. He was the Professor of Psychology at the University of Surrey for ten years, where he developed investigative psychology. David went on to set up the Centre For Investigative Psychology which is based at the University of Liverpool. Since 2009 he has been at the University of Huddersfield and is the founder and director of the International Academy for Investigative Psychology, a professional academy for researchers seeking to apply social science to investigative and legal processes.

David Smith is also chief leader-writer, an assistant editor and policy adviser. He also writes columns for The Times, Tax Journal and other publications. He speaks and broadcasts regularly to a wide variety of audiences. Prior to joining The Sunday Times, he worked for The Times, Financial Weekly, Now! Magazine, the Henley Centre for Forecasting and Lloyds Bank.

Elle Macpherson is a prominent figure in business, fashion, film and television. She oversees one of the most well-known, and expanding, brand names in apparel and women’s fashion. More importantly, she is the mother of two sons and an ambassador for three global charitable organisations.

Dame Frances Cairncross is an economist and former journalist with a strong interest in higher education, in the future of the press, and in the impacts of technological change on society and on the global economy.

A botanist and biologist, Francis is specialised in tree architecture and the ecology of the tropical rainforests. An outstanding professor and researcher, he led the Radeau des Comes scientific missions from 1986 to 2003. He has written several books including "In Praise of Plants", "Advocacy for the Tree" and "The Tropical Condition". Far from a technocratic speech, Francis Hallé knows how to get his audience interested in tree science, floral structures and even the architecture of vascular plants.

Garry Hunt is a uniquely skilled public speaker, facilitator & international businessman who has performed at such diverse places as the London Palladium, The Royal Institution, The Royal Society, company Boardrooms, Universities & TV studios throughout the world. He has a wide range of talents, as an international businessman, scientist, TV, radio broadcaster, author & speaker.

George McGavin is a British entomologist, author, academic, television presenter and explorer.

After been reared in a family of 14 who grew up & lived on the farm before expanding into the businesses, Gerard Cleary has 40 years experience of navigating the family business model. Heading a successful ‘€20m family company’ driven by innovation & a will-to-do attitude is rare in the corporate world today ‘the day you become complacent is the day you go backwards’.

Gregg Wallace is an English television presenter known for co-presenting MasterChef, Celebrity MasterChef and MasterChef.

Ian Bremmer is an American political scientist specializing in US foreign policy, states in transition, and global political risk. He is the president and founder of Eurasia Group, a political risk research and consulting firm.

Ian Goldin is Director of the James Martin 21st Century School at the University of Oxford. Ian was Vice President of the World Bank from 2003-6 and prior to that the Bank's Director of Development Policy from 2001-3. From 1996 to 2001 he was Managing Director of the Development Bank of Southern Africa and served as an adviser to President Mandela. He succeeded in transforming the bank to become the leading agent of development in the 14 countries of Southern Africa.

With over 25 years experience in future analysis, James is a remarkable record as a writer, analyst, and presenter. James is also a leading futurologist and author of considerable reputation. James has a zealous interest in key trends and statistics facing current and future businesses. James' work challenges organisations to better anticipate change and adapt faster.

As Founder of Plant for Peace, James has overseen its strategy since early 2007. James passionate journey determining the Plant for Peace strategy involves farmers, Taliban and Government of Afghanistan. James’ drive and motivation stem from the environment and nature and understanding people and a natural food chain.

Globally respected and prominent figurehead in climate change, clean energy, sustainability, and water; the factors regarded as the rasion d'etre for any society seeking, not only to survive, but to evolve. He is currently affiliated with Yale University, and is a world leading academic in the field of environmental law and policy. Former international barrister with an extensive knowledge of government financing and climate change.

Jason Lewis is an award-winning adventurer, author, and sustainability advocate specializing in human-powered expeditions. He is recognized by Guinness World Records as being the first person to circumnavigate the Earth without using motors or sails: walking, cycling, and inline skating five continents, and kayaking, swimming, rowing, and pedaling a boat across the rivers, seas, and oceans. Taking thirteen years to complete, the 46,505-mile journey was hailed “the last great first for circumnavigation” by the London Sunday Times.

Since first being “thrown overboard” by his father at the age of seven with newly invented SCUBA gear on his back, Jean-Michel has been exploring the ocean realm. The son of ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau, Jean-Michel has investigated the world’s oceans aboard Calypso and Alcyone for much of his life. Honoring his heritage, Jean-Michel founded Ocean Futures Society in 1999 to carry on this pioneering work.

Jeffrey is the President and Co-Founder of Millennium Promise Alliance a non-profit organisation aimed at ending extreme global poverty, as well as being the Director of The Earth Institute at Columbia University, and other key roles in organisations involved with environment and sustainability. Jeffrey has spent much of his career wrestling with the issues of world poverty and health and environmental sustainability but he made his name in the mid 80's and 90's as an economist working with countries undergoing massive upheaval. His best-selling books include Common Wealth (2008), and The Price of Civilization (2011) in which he turns his attentions homewards and calls for a kinder more responsible society in the wake of repeated economic crises. He has also written hundreds of learned articles and a text book on macroeconomics that is used worldwide

Jeremy Leggett is the founder of Solarcentury and is an activist for green and renewable energy. He also lectures at Oxford and Cambridge University and is the author of a number of books on Solar Power.

In 2016, after more than a decade working with businesses worldwide as a behaviour insight advisor shaping culture, leadership and legacy, Jez Rose moved from his suburban 3-bed semi to a dilapidated 1850's farmhouse with agricultural land to test his theories on the cognitive and emotional impact of nature on human psychology and become a bee farmer.In 2016, after more than a decade working with businesses worldwide as a behaviour insight advisor shaping culture, leadership and legacy, Jez Rose moved from his suburban 3-bed semi to a dilapidated 1850's farmhouse with agricultural land to test his theories on the cognitive and emotional impact of nature on human psychology and become a bee farmer.

Jim Harris is a one of North America’s foremost management consultants, authors and thinkers on disruptive innovation, leadership, innovation, organizational change, future trends and mitigating risk

Jo Fairley is co-founder of the pioneering organic chocolate company Green & Black’s, which has gone from a niche organic and Fairtrade brand to a global chocolate name - voted ‘Coolest Food Brand in the UK’ for the sixth year running, by Coolbrands. Engaging and passionate, Jo never fails to inspire – and is always happy to network with attendees, offering more direct input to individuals.

Jo and her husband Rob took on the monstrous task of ascending the Seven Summits, breaking records by being the fastest couple to ever ascend it, as well as Jo entering the Guinness Book of World Records for holding the fastest female ascent time, also being the second British woman to ever scale Everest's North Ridge.

Every Sunday, millions tune in to John Craven OBE as he highlights rural and environmental issues in Britain on the BBC broadcast CountryFile. John has been a part of the CountryFile team for nearly 25 years. However, what made John a household name was his role in presenting and editing John Craven's Newsround - the first TV news show for children.

After beginning a career training as an accountant, John was forced to give up his apprenticeship and focus his efforts on rescuing his father’s business, working as a minicab driver to make ends meet during this period. Having helped his family firm and following the birth of his two sons, John was inspired to start his own business and came to the conclusion that he could run his own minicab business a lot more successfully than the companies he had worked for. Founded in Battersea in 1975 with just one car, Addison Lee now carries 10 million passengers and couriers 1 million deliveries a year.

A BAFTA Games Awards judge, former marketer and serial entrepreneur, Jude Ower founded her gaming-for-good company Playmob in 2011. The startup works with games studios like Niantic, EA, and Rovio to engage millions of players to take positive social action. The London-based company has raised millions for charities and non-profits like WWF, Oxfam and The Cybersmile Foundation. Jude was Awarded an MBE in 2016 for services to entrepreneurship

Julia Bradbury is an English television presenter, specialising in documentaries and consumer affairs.

Kresse Wesling, MBE, is a multi-award winning environmental entrepreneur and Young Global Leader with a background in venture capital and significant start-up experience.

Leo Johnson is a Sustainability expert. He is the Co-Founder of Sustainable Finance, and advisor to over fifty global banks and businesses. He helps pinpoint trends, and presents the risks and opportunities for business and finance.

Originally from Kent in England, Liv Boeree is one of the most successful female poker players of all time, with over $3 million in live tournament earnings. She previously studied at the University of Manchester, achieving a first-class degree in Astrophysics, as well as being in demand as a model and TV presenter on a range of different shows.

Liz Bonnin has worked on television in both Ireland and the UK and currently presents Bang Goes the Theory and Countrywise.

To turn this passion into a reality, Maayke Damen co-founded ‘Excess Materials Exchange’ (EME) which aims to reinstate waste to the valuable resource that it is by developing a circular economy and turning their waste to wealth. EME has created a secured marketplace, where companies can exchange any type of excess materials, business to business. Functioning as a dating site, EME uses data to match supply and demand and help identify the highest reuse potential for any given material. She is a member of the Advisory Board of the Sustainability and Innovation Fund Port of Amsterdam, Project Manager at INSID, and Member of the Young Club of Rome. She was also the winner of the Dutch Singularity University innovation contest with the idea of a “Google for Materials” which she developed into the ‘Resource Passport’ that has now been made into Dutch and European policy.

Mac Macartney champions a new story of sustainability, one that emphasises the importance of leadership and action alongside social and environmental focus.

Majora Carter is responsible for the creation & successful implementation of numerous green-infrastructure projects, policies, and job training & placement systems.

Martina Navratilova won the Wimbledon women's singles title a record nine times and has been described by many as "the greatest singles, doubles, and mixed doubles player who's ever lived". In all, Martina has won 18 Grand Slam singles titles, 31 Grand Slam women's doubles titles (an all-time record), and 10 Grand Slam mixed doubles titles.

Michael Buerk is a British journalist, who has internationally won multiple television reporting awards . He presented BBC Television's flagship news programme, The Ten O'clock News and he also presented the peak-time BBC 1 programme about emergencies, 999. He is chairman of the BBC's discussion programme on moral and ethical issues The Moral Maze (BBC Radio 4), and, also for Radio 4, presented The Choice, a single interview programme about individual dilemmas.

Molly is a social entrepreneur, motivational speaker, thought leader in the international charity sector and mother of international pop stars Daniel and Natasha Bedingfield.

Monty Halls has presented television series for the BBC, Channel 4, National Geographic and Discovery, and has written eight books covering his travels.

Nick's passion for running is clear, but his meaningful topics are the basis of some truly inspirational messages too. He covers areas such as understanding potential; embracing failure; perseverance and determination, and how to value the time we have on our planet. His personal stories bring these issues to life with enthusiasm and character. Nick may be a runner first and foremost, but his messages reach further. He’s not on a crusade to get everyone into lycra, but simply to spread the message that everyone, regardless of age, background, and commitments can excel at anything they put their minds to.

Patrick Holden is the founder and chief executive of the Sustainable Food Trust, an organisation founded in 2012 and working internationally to accelerate the transition to more sustainable food systems.

A man at the front line of exploration and one of the world’s most experienced divers and polar travellers, Paul Rose has been helping scientists unlock global mysteries for the past 30 years in the most remote and challenging regions of the planet. Paul’s other ventures include a series of television presenting credits, which include; Oceans, Voyages of Discovery, Take One Museum, Meltdown and Wind. He reports for BBC News and has made live appearances on BBC Breakfast, BBC 24 News, Sky News and local TV News. With unique access across a wide range of expert fields, Paul is constantly working to raise awareness of global issues such as the understanding and protection of our ecosystems and biodiversity, climate change and sustainability. He is an award-winning champion for inspiring and motivating the next generation of field scientists and explorers.

Pippa Malmgren is an American policy analyst. She served as Special Assistant to the President of the United States for Economic Policy on the National Economic Council and former member of the U.S. President's Working Group on Financial Markets.

Richard Branson is best known as the founder of Virgin Group, which comprises more than 400 companies. His first business venture was a magazine called Student at the age of 16. In 1970, he set up a mail-order record business. In 1972, he opened a chain of record stores, Virgin Records, later known as Virgin Megastores. Richard's Virgin brand grew rapidly during the 1980s, as he set up Virgin Atlantic and expanded the Virgin Records music label. Richard is now the 6th richest person in the UK, according to the Forbes 2013 list of billionaires, with an estimated net worth of £2.8 billion.

Following their successful pitch in the BBC’s Dragons Den, Richard decided to turn down the deal and move on to bigger missions. 6 years World travel focused on researching and interviewing World experts for Enrichd.org has grown into the book he is co-authoring with fellow celeb trainer in Hollywood. Just before pitching in the BBC’s Dragons' Den, Rich was on the operating table having a tumor removed from his left shoulder - oh and the BBC said ’no’ for a week before they did the shoot - overcoming adversity, motivation and making it happen is this mans' game!

Richard is the UK's most celebrated nature writer and a major voice in promoting environmental issues. He is an experienced speaker on topics such as the Environment and Nature. As well as delivering regular lectures, he contributes frequently to BBC radio.

Rita Clifton CBE has been called ‘Brand guru’ by the Financial Times and ‘The doyenne of branding’ by Campaign magazine. She is a writer, keynote speaker, conference chair & practitioner on all aspects of brands, branding and business leadership.

Roger Ballentine provides management consulting services to corporate and financial sector clients on sustainability strategy; investment and transaction evaluation and clean energy procurement strategies; and the integration of energy and environmental policy considerations into business strategy.

Roger Steare is an acknowledged expert in the development and delivery of transformational Leadership, Corporate Culture and Ethics.

Having started his career as an actor, Ross Kemp has gone on to prove himself as a successful documentary maker having received a BAFTA for his series on gangs and many other nominations and awards for his television work. Ross now has his own production company so if you're looking for a speaker with a diverse career experience and equipped with motivational and teamwork skills, then Ross will be the perfect speaker for you.

The UK's longest serving Deputy Prime Minister, since leaving the Commons John has acted as EU ‘rapporteur’ on climate change, and as himself in an ad for an online comparison site. With Pauline he’s also made films on the class system and the north/south divide.

Sir Bob Geldof is one of the most fascinating public figures of our time. He's both an astute business mogul and one of the greatest humanitarians the world has ever known. As a tireless campaigner for numerous good causes and charities throughout the world, Sir Bob Geldof is able to use his high profile to great effect. From African famines and aid organisations to business, global politics and communications, Sir Bob has raised awareness of a wide range of causes.

Sir Crispin is a leading international authority on climate change and environmental issues, and is best known for bringing these issues to the attention of governments at the highest level, and thereby influencing policy. He is author of the ground-breaking book Climate Change and World Affairs (1977 and 1986) and Mary Anning of Lyme Regis (1996). He has contributed to many books on environmental issues (including human population, and conservation of biodiversity).

Sir Richard Needham has spent over 45 years in business and politics. He has unrivaled access at the highest levels into both public and private sectors in Asia, Europe and the US. He was the Minister responsible for redesigning and rebuilding Belfast, and is widely recognized throughout Northern Ireland as the man responsible for turning round and regenerating both the North’s infrastructure and economic base. In his role as Minister of Trade, he overhauled and reinvigorated the whole of Britain’s export strategy. He is accepted in Whitehall as Britain’s most successful Minister of Trade since the War. In recognition of his work in Northern Ireland and at the DTI, he was made a Privy Counselor in 1994 and knighted in 1997.

Tim worked in the music industry as a composer/producer in rock and opera before moving to Cornwall and devoting his time to restoring the Lost Gardens of Heligan. He is now known the world over as co-founder and former Chief Executive of the award winning Eden Project. Sir Tim is now the Executive Chairman of Eden Regeneration Ltd.

One of the longest serving and most successful leaders of a blue-chip company and a highly regarded businessman, Stuart Hampson was chairman of the John Lewis Partnership for 14 years.

There are few celebrities who take up an environmental cause and actually move beyond a superficial commitment. Ted is one of those celebrities. He is the co-founding member of the American Oceans Campaign (AOC), an organization established to alert Americans to the life-threatening hazards created by oil spills, offshore development, toxic wastes, sewage, pollution and other ocean abuses. Ted starred in the CBS series Becker, for which he received a Golden Globe Award nomination. Ted Danson is also well known for his role in the long-running series Cheers, for which he received two Emmy Awards as "Best Actor in a Comedy Series" and nine Emmy nominations for his portrayal of Sam Malone.

Tom Oliver has shared his secrets on leadership, innovation and creativity with Bono, Dalai Lama, Deepak Chopra and Richard Branson and is in high demand as a global keynote speaker and consultant.

For more than 25 years he has worked for change toward a more sustainable society at local, national and international levels. From providing ecology and conservation experiences for primary school children, to making the case for new recycling laws, to orchestrating international campaigns for action on rainforests and climate change, his work has sought change at many levels.

Professor Tony Travers is the director of LSE Greater London Group, a research centre at the London School of Economics concerned with issues relating to the government and economy of London and South-East England. Tony is a illustrious commentator on the public sector and local government, especially in regards to London. Tony regularly comments on the BBC and in-print publications, including The Guardian newspaper.

Tristram Stuart is a UK based Food Waste campaigner who wants to reduce the environmental impact of Food Waste around the world.

With a career spanning four decades in the design industry, Wayne Hemingway has a fair few stories to tell and lessons to give - and people love to hear them. His talks are insightful, thought-provoking, inspiring, often hilarious and always truthful, warts and all.

Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones is a British businessman, farmer and founder of “The Black Farmer” range of food products.