Book Branding Speakers for Your Event

Your brand matters. In a crowded marketplace, what sets you apart from competitors can determine whether your business thrives or struggles. A strong brand isn’t just a logo or tagline – it’s how customers perceive you, trust you, and choose you over alternatives.

That’s why hosting a branding speaker at your event is so powerful. A skilled branding expert can help your team think differently about what makes your brand distinctive, how to communicate that difference, and why it matters to your customers.

At Kruger Cowne, we work with some of the world’s top marketing speakers and branding speakers – entrepreneurs, designers, innovators, and business leaders who have built globally recognised brands and understand what it takes to make brands succeed. This guide introduces you to 15 of the UK’s best branding speakers, each with a unique story and perspective.

Whether you’re looking to strengthen your brand positioning, inspire your team, or launch something new, we’re here to help you find the perfect speaker for your event.

Let’s find the right fit together.

What Are Branding Speakers?

The Role of a Branding Speaker 

A branding speaker is someone who has built successful brands and knows what makes them work. These might be entrepreneurs who launched companies from scratch, designers who created iconic looks, social media experts who built massive followings, or business leaders who turned struggling companies around.

What makes branding speakers different from theorists is that they’ve done it themselves. 

They share real stories from brands they’ve actually built or led.

How Branding Speakers Help Businesses Build Stronger Brands

When you bring in a branding speaker, your team learns how to:

• Think clearly about what makes your brand different from everyone else
• Tell your brand’s story in ways that customers care about
• Build customer loyalty so people keep choosing you
• Think bigger about what your brand could become
• Get everyone on your team aligned around the same vision
  
  

The magic happens because your team hears directly from someone who’s actually done it – not just read about it in a textbook. That real-world experience changes how people think. They leave inspired, with new ideas, and a clearer sense of direction for your brand.

15 Best Branding Speakers to Book in the UK

1. Elle Macpherson

Elle has built one of the world’s most recognisable personal brands over four decades. She holds the record with six Sports Illustrated Swimsuit covers. In 2014, this personal branding speaker launched WelleCo, a global plant-based wellness brand now synonymous with luxury wellbeing. Elle speaks about personal branding, business growth, media relations, and women’s leadership. She understands how to build a personal brand and turn it into a successful business. Her experience shows how individual brand power translates into business success and market leadership.

2. Simon Squibb

Simon’s story is remarkable: from homelessness at 15 to founding 19+ companies. His #GiveWithoutTake movement has reached 25 million social followers, and his bestselling book What’s Your Dream? shows his gift for inspiring through authentic storytelling. As an investor in 80+ startups, Simon knows how brand narrative shapes business success. He speaks on “Creators Are the Next Big Brands” and “Innovate or Die,” exploring how personal authenticity builds strong business positioning. His talks show the connection between authentic personal brand and commercial success, offering practical insights for entrepreneurs and business leaders.

3. Elfried Samba

At 19, Elfried realised small brands can beat big brands using social media if they build a genuine community. He proved this at Gymshark, growing followers from 1 million to 20 million and helping the company reach a £1 billion valuation. He’s worked with Apple, Sky, and Vodafone on the same principle: authentic community engagement builds strong brands. Elfried is also a personal branding speaker who talks about community leadership and social media strategy. His talks show how to move beyond traditional marketing to genuine customer connection and build lasting loyalty through community.

4. Emma Lewisham

Emma built a skincare brand that’s also carbon-positive and circular. She proves that being good for the planet is actually good for business. Her company is now a leading voice in sustainable beauty. Emma has an honours degree in business and has led global teams at major tech companies, bringing both strategic thinking and big-picture vision to the table. She speaks on “The Future of Beauty” and “How Business Can Be a Force for Good,” showing organisations how to build brands with purpose. Her talks help teams think differently about brand positioning and environmental responsibility.

5. Amanda Wakeley OBE

Amanda is a three-time British Fashion Award winner with an OBE for her services to fashion. She’s designed for royalty and celebrities including Diana, Catherine, and Meghan. She founded Amanda Wakeley Style DNA, a podcast that tops UK documentary charts and is now played on British Airways flights. Amanda speaks about fashion design, personal branding, women’s empowerment, and creating enduring style. She understands how design tells a brand story and communicates identity. Her talks help leaders see how visual identity shapes how customers and audiences perceive a brand.

6. Dave Stewart

Dave has spent five decades building brands across music, film, and creative entrepreneurship. As co-founder of Eurythmics, he created one of the world’s most distinctive musical brands. His book The Business Playground shows how to translate creative thinking into business strategy. Kruger Cowne awarded him Branding Speaker of the Year 2011. Dave speaks about innovation, creative business, and futurism. He helps organisations understand how creativity and storytelling drive strong brand identity. His talks show leaders how to think more creatively about their brands and future growth.

7. Jochen Zeitz

Jochen became the youngest CEO in German history at 30. He then spent 18 years transforming PUMA from near-bankruptcy into one of the world’s top three sports brands, with sales reaching $4 billion. He created the Environmental Profit and Loss framework to measure environmental impact alongside financial results. He co-founded The B Team with Sir Richard Branson, focused on sustainable business leadership. Jochen speaks about brand strategy, sustainable business, and high-performance leadership. His talks show organisations how to build brands that matter beyond just profits.

8. Jordan Schwarzenberger

At 27, Jordan has impressive brand management experience. He co-founded Arcade and manages The Sidemen, with 244 million followers across platforms and the third most-searched term on YouTube in 2023. He’s launched three businesses: Sides fried chicken, XIX Vodka, and Side+, showing how to turn influencer brands into proper products. His early career at VICE, LADbible, and as CCO at YMU Group gave him broad experience across brand strategy. Jordan speaks about personal branding, the creator economy, and youth culture. His talks help organisations understand how modern audiences build and follow brands today.

9. Sharmadean Reid MBE

Sharmadean’s journey started with a university fanzine about street culture and hip-hop. That grew into WAH Magazine, then WAH Nails – a nail bar that changed beauty standards and built an amazing community. She received an MBE in 2015 for her service to women and the beauty industry. She then launched Beautystack, a visual booking platform that raised venture capital, and The Stack World, a platform for women changemakers. Sharmadean speaks about personal branding, female entrepreneurship, and building authentic businesses. Her talks show how to build brands grounded in community and genuine values that matter.

If you’re building a brand in the UK beauty industry, Sharmadean’s experience and insights can make her a valuable addition to your event.

10. Sara Davies MBE

Sara started Crafter’s Companion in her university dorm room with just £5,000. The company is now worth millions. She’s on the BBC’s Dragons’ Den as a dragon, becoming the youngest at 35. Her MBE in 2016 recognised her contribution to the economy. Sara speaks about entrepreneurship, business strategy, negotiation, and female leadership. Her own brand journey shows the power of authenticity, product innovation, and media presence in building a successful business. Her talks help organisations understand how personal brand and business brand work together to drive growth and market leadership.

11. Deborah Meaden

Deborah is one of the longest-serving dragons on BBC’s Dragons’ Den, known for shrewd business judgment. She’s built successful businesses and sold them for millions. One holiday park business she sold to Phoenix Equity Partners for £33 million was later resold for £83 million. Deborah is known for her ethical approach to business and fair dealing. She’s invested in and advised businesses across many industries. She speaks about leadership, change management, and entrepreneurship. Her talks combine personal storytelling with practical business thinking, helping audiences think more strategically about their brand and business decisions.

12. Kudzi Chikumbu

Kudzi leads creator marketing for TikTok globally. As a personal branding keynote speaker, he understands how creators build audiences and make money from their influence. He has an MBA from Stanford and was named in Fortune’s 40 Under 40. His own brand, “Sir Candle Man,” shows his skill in personal branding and digital presence. Kudzi speaks about personal branding, digital transformation, and the creator economy. His talks help organisations understand how modern audiences actually discover and trust brands. He’s essential for anyone wanting to reach Gen Z and understand how young people engage with brands today.

13. Charlotte Stavrou

Charlotte founded SevenSix Agency and created the Influencer Pricing Report – a key industry document that changed how creators are valued and paid. She’s one of the UK’s leading authorities on personal branding and influencer strategy. Charlotte, a personal branding keynote speaker, understands how personal brands become commercial opportunities. She speaks about personal branding, influencer strategy, and digital positioning. Her talks bridge personal brand building and corporate brand partnerships. She shows organisations how to work with influencers effectively and how to build strong personal brands. Her practical frameworks help businesses understand the value of creator partnerships and personal brand strategy.

14. Ramy Nassar

Ramy leads innovation at Mattel, one of the world’s most famous toy brands. He brings experience in corporate innovation and forward-thinking strategy. As an author and futurist, he speaks about how established brands can navigate AI and new technologies while staying relevant. He understands the challenge of keeping heritage brands strong when everything is changing. Ramy speaks about innovation, future trends, and brand resilience. His talks help organisations future-proof their brand while honouring their history. He’s valuable for companies with heritage that want to stay relevant and competitive in today’s fast-changing market.

15. Silvia Garcia

Silvia worked at Coca-Cola and created their Happiness Institute. She researched how employee happiness affects business results and brand strength. She’s advised C-suite leaders across many industries and understands how company culture shapes how customers see your brand. She’s now a sought-after speaker globally. Silvia speaks about happiness at work, leadership, neuroscience, and AI. Her talks resonate across all types of organisations, from corporations to startups.

Compare the Best Branding Speakers in the UK

Why Hire a Branding Speaker for Your Event?

A branding speaker does something that most presentations can’t: they inspire while also teaching. Your team doesn’t just leave feeling pumped up – they leave with practical ideas they can actually implement.

When someone who’s built a successful brand shares their experience, it registers differently. Your team gets:

• Impactful stories they’ll remember and talk about afterwards
• Practical ideas they can apply to your brand immediately
• New perspectives that challenge how they see your brand
• Energy and confidence to make branding decisions with more clarity
• A stronger sense of purpose around what your brand is trying to do
  
  

Whether you’re holding a conference, summit, retreat, or workshop, the right branding speaker lifts your event and gives your team something meaningful to take home.

What Can Branding Speakers Teach Your Audience?

Building a Distinctive Brand

The best branding keynote speakers and the best business speakers help your team understand what actually makes your brand different. Not “better.” But different. They teach you how to show that difference consistently everywhere – your website, your customer service, your product, the way your team talks about what you do.

Brand Strategy and Positioning

Many organisations skip strategy and go straight to tactics. Branding speakers show why that’s a mistake. They use examples of brands that won or lost based on their positioning choices. You learn how to make smarter choices about who you’re trying to reach and how you’re going to beat competitors.

Personal Branding

In today’s world, personal brands matter more than ever. If you’re a founder, leader, or expert, your reputation is part of your business. Personal branding keynote speakers share how to build that thoughtfully and authentically.

Storytelling and Brand Communication

Facts don’t sell. Stories do. The best branding keynote speakers teach how to tell your brand’s story in ways that actually matter to people. Not marketing fluff but real stories that change how people perceive you.

Customer Experience and Brand Loyalty

Your brand is the sum of every interaction someone has with you. From the first touch to customer service to the product itself. Speakers on this topic show how to think intentionally about every touchpoint so customers don’t just buy once – they come back and also spread the word.

Key Benefits of Branding Talks for Businesses

• Stronger Brand Alignment – After the speaker, your team actually talks the same language about your brand. That alignment is worth money.
• Greater Event Visibility – Having a recognised branding expert makes your event prestigious. Media pays attention, attendees remember it, and your organisation looks serious about strategy.
• Fresh Strategic Thinking – Good branding speakers introduce ideas your team hasn’t considered. Those ideas often spark internal projects or strategic shifts you wouldn’t have made otherwise.
• Higher Team Engagement – Your team leaves energised. They feel reconnected to why the brand matters. That energy surely sticks around.
• Extended Reach and Influence – A compelling speaker creates content worth sharing. Your event gets talked about on social media, in industry circles, and beyond just the people in the room.