Motivational speakers are hired to inspire, energise, and ignite change in audiences across all walks of life. Whether it’s boosting morale in the workplace, driving personal growth, or sparking innovation, these speakers bring powerful stories and practical insights to the stage. They connect with listeners through passion, authenticity, and lived experience, offering not just words but impact.
Businesses hire motivational speakers to elevate events, engage teams and leave a lasting impression. From corporate conferences to educational seminars, their presence turns passive listeners into active thinkers, ready to embrace new challenges and pursue their goals with renewed determination and confidence.
Who are the Best Motivational Speakers to Hire for Corporate Events?
1.) Jo Salter MBE
Jo Salter MBE is hired as a motivational speaker for her groundbreaking achievements, including becoming the first female fast jet pilot in the Royal Air Force. With a career spanning high-pressure military aviation, executive leadership roles at PwC, and global advocacy, Jo brings unparalleled insight into leadership, resilience, and breaking barriers. Her inspiring journey, from leading an all-male squadron to driving global transformation in business, empowers audiences to overcome challenges and embrace change. A celebrated author and humanitarian, Jo captivates with stories of courage, innovation, and purpose, making her a sought-after speaker for events focused on leadership, diversity, and high performance.
Official Feedback for Jo Salter:
“Jo was outstanding in terms of personality and professionalism. She arrived on time, was very courteous, and handled the rehearsals wonderfully.” – King.com
2.) Sir Clive Woodward
Sir Clive Woodward is hired as a motivational speaker for his unparalleled leadership in sport, most notably coaching England to Rugby World Cup victory in 2003. A pioneer in performance innovation and strategic thinking, he blends over 40 years of elite sports experience with engaging insights on teamwork, resilience, and high-pressure decision-making. His concept of TCUP (Thinking Correctly Under Pressure) and success as a player, coach, and Olympic director make him a standout figure. Woodward’s talks are rich in entertaining anecdotes and actionable lessons, inspiring audiences from global brands like HSBC and Sainsbury’s to embrace a winning mindset.
Official Feedback for Sir Clive Woodward:
“Sir Clive was a pleasure to have with us last Wednesday, he was very professional and personable and nothing seemed to be too much of an ask. Our clients CEO was extremely happy that the brief was met and enjoyed his company for the evening. The delegates remained engaged throughout the speech and enjoyed the Q&A where Sir Clive stood and answered questions and provided anecdotes of his career that were very entertaining. The use of slides and video clips were well used throughout and the clear link to his leadership style through business and sport was very well received. We would undoubtedly recommend Sir Clive to speak at future events.” – Anya, Force Four Creative Ltd
3.) Jill Scott MBE
Jill Scott MBE is hired as a motivational speaker for her remarkable journey as one of England’s most decorated female footballers. With over 18 years at the top level, including 150+ international caps and a UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 victory, she inspires with stories of leadership, resilience, and teamwork. Her career spans major clubs like Sunderland, Everton, and Manchester City, and her honours include an MBE and Queen of the Jungle on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! As a trailblazer in women’s football and a role model beyond sport, Jill captivates audiences with her humour, drive, and lessons on achieving success through perseverance.
Official Feedback for Jill Scott MBE:
“We’ve had some great feedback from the local school and employees at the firm who got the opportunity to meet Jill, really appreciated how engaging Jill was with people throughout the day. It seemed like she enjoyed meeting the kids and answering their questions, meeting Steve from AFCB, and even giving some advice to our new women’s team.” – Thomas, JP Morgan
4.) Derek Redmond
Derek Redmond is hired as a motivational speaker for his powerful story of resilience, high-performance expertise, and global sporting success. An Olympic athlete best known for his emotional 1992 finish, Derek inspires audiences with lessons on overcoming adversity, building mental toughness, and achieving peak performance. Drawing on a career that spans athletics, professional basketball, and leadership roles in performance management, he delivers impactful talks on diversity, inclusion, and workforce motivation. With experience speaking to over a million people across 40+ countries, Derek translates elite sporting lessons into practical strategies for business and leadership, making him a compelling and sought-after keynote speaker.
Official Feedback for Derek Redmond:
“Derek was professional, courteous, charming and hit the relevant subject matter. He was good and from my perspective hit his brief and he was exactly what we wanted and booked.” – Siemens Mobility Limited
5.) Ant Middleton
Ant Middleton is hired as a motivational speaker for his extraordinary ability to inspire resilience, performance and positivity through lived experience. A former UK Special Forces Soldier and star of SAS: Who Dares Wins, Ant shares raw, honest insights from his elite military career – including time in Afghanistan and the Special Boat Service. From surviving the world’s harshest environments to summitting Everest and K2, Ant empowers audiences to embrace adversity and adopt a fearless mindset. Blending military precision with TV charisma and bestselling authorship, he delivers powerful keynotes on leadership, mindset, and mental toughness that leave a lasting impact on every audience.
Official Feedback for Ant Middleton:
“We found Ant extremely engaging, he had a strong story and held a great presence on the stage, he thoroughly entertained the audience and gave a clear message around leadership – this was one of the key parts of the brief, which he understood and delivered on. The Q&A session was also very interactive, with some great questions” – Tarmac Building Products Limited
6.) Baroness Karren Brady
Baroness Karren Brady CBE is hired as a motivational speaker for her unparalleled business expertise, inspirational career, and commitment to empowering others. Rising to fame as Managing Director of Birmingham City at age 23 and now Vice-Chairman of West Ham United, she’s led remarkable business transformations. A champion for women in business and young entrepreneurs, she draws from her government roles, bestselling book Strong Women, and media presence on The Apprentice and The Diary of a CEO. Sought after by major brands like Costa and Land Rover, Karren delivers captivating, tailored talks on leadership, resilience, entrepreneurship, and business growth.
Official Feedback for Baroness Karren Brady:
“Thank you for making the conference such a resounding success. Overwhelmingly positive feedback, the delegates were truly impressed.” – The Management & Leadership Network
7.) Roz Savage
Roz Savage is a record-breaking ocean rower, adventurer, and environmentalist who became the first woman to row solo across the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. Having spent seven years and 15,000 miles alone at sea, she overcame extreme challenges to prove that human limits are self-imposed. Now a bestselling author, TED speaker, and UN Climate Hero, Roz inspires global audiences with powerful messages of resilience, courage, and self-belief. Hired by companies like Google and Disney, she delivers motivational keynotes that blend her extraordinary adventures with insights on personal growth, leadership, and environmental responsibility, making her one of the most sought-after speakers worldwide.
Official Feedback for Roz Savage:
“Roz was energetic, passionate, engaging and real. Her connection with both our employees and our clients, and the dialogue it sparked both within the room and beyond was tremendous. Everyone left with a little optimistic spring in their step, inspired to make changes and live their lives a little differently. It was an amazing experience to share her world for that hour.” – Credit Suisse
8.) Jason Robinson
Jason Robinson is a legendary dual-code rugby star, celebrated for his achievements with Wigan, Sale Sharks, England, and the British Lions. As the first Black British man to captain England Rugby, he made history with 171 tries in 281 games and has been honoured with both an MBE and an OBE. Now a powerful motivational speaker, Jason shares his journey from a troubled childhood in Leeds to World Cup glory, overcoming racism, poverty, and mental health struggles. Through JR Talks, he inspires audiences on topics like resilience, social mobility, diversity, and inclusion, making him a sought-after speaker for meaningful, transformational events.
Official Feedback for Jason Robinson:
“It was such a good evening, Jason was amazing and we have had some really good feedback form people who attended. Jason arrived early so we were able to get to know him a little more ahead of the event and he kindly posed for photos with us” – Lesley, Senior Information Systems Business Partner, Howden
9.) Mandy Hickson
Mandy Hickson is a trailblazing former RAF pilot and one of the first women to fly the Tornado GR4 in combat. Drawing from her 17-year military career, including 45 missions over Iraq, she delivers motivational talks on leadership, resilience, risk management, and teamwork. Her story of overcoming setbacks, including failing RAF aptitude tests, inspires audiences across sectors. Mandy captivates with high-stakes stories from the cockpit, offering practical lessons for corporate and organisational success. A published author and advocate for women in the workplace, she is hired to energise, educate, and empower teams through her extraordinary personal and professional journey.
Official Feedback for Mandy Hickson:
“I just wanted to let you know that Mandy was truly amazing yesterday. The feedback we have had was incredible and everyone agreed how inspiring she was and in awe of what she has achieved. I didn’t get to say goodbye to Mandy, but please pass on my thanks to her and it was a pleasure to meet her. I know we will all really enjoy reading her book.” – Liz, Team PA, Quintain
10.) Sir Steve Redgrave
Sir Steve Redgrave is one of the greatest Olympians in history, having won five consecutive Olympic gold medals in rowing between 1984 and 2000, an unmatched feat in endurance sport. Despite battling ulcerative colitis and Type 2 diabetes, he achieved 9 World Championship titles and 3 Commonwealth golds. Knighted in 2001, his story is a testament to resilience, determination, and elite performance under pressure. As a motivational speaker, Steve shares the mindset behind his legendary success, inspiring audiences with lessons in perseverance, goal setting, and overcoming adversity, making him a powerful choice for events seeking authentic, world-class inspiration.
Official Feedback for Sir Steve Redgrave:
“Steve was fantastic! He went down an absolute storm – he was the highlight of the conference. His speech was very appropriate to the event and he stayed around and took photos with the attendees. He was a really nice guy and very easy to work with.” – Mars Inc
Hire a Leading Motivational Speaker for Your Event
All of the above-mentioned individuals are available to hire as motivational speakers via The Motivational Speakers Agency. Visit their website to browse the incredible speakers they have the pleasure of working with at over 3500 events annually!
