Executive summary
Discover the top 10 marketing speakers to book for 2026, from entrepreneurs like Simon Squibb and Sara Davies MBE to digital innovators such as Emily Trenouth and Charlotte Stavrou. These marketing keynote speakers and digital marketing experts bring cutting-edge insights on branding, influencer strategy, AI, and business growth. Whether you are hosting a live or virtual event, booking the right marketing conference speakers can inspire teams, spark innovation, and elevate your brand’s strategy. Partner with Kruger Cowne to find leading marketing speakers or sales speakers who align with your goals and deliver exceptional impact for your next event.
Estimated reading time: 10-11 minutes
Introduction
Marketing is ever-evolving, and its changing dynamics require organisations to stay ahead with fresh insights from thought leaders who can inspire, educate, and motivate your team. Booking marketing speakers can bring transformative ideas straight to your organisation, whether it is a live conference, workshop, or virtual session. In this guide, we explore the top marketing speakers for 2026 and how to choose the right fit for your event.
Top 10 Marketing Speakers
1. Simon Squibb
Simon, a famous marketing speaker and entrepreneur, has spent 30 years building businesses – 10 in the UK and 20 in Hong Kong. Homeless at 15, he started his first company and sold his last one, ‘Fluid’, to PwC. Over the past 15 years, he has invested in 70+ startups. Now, he leads HelpBnk, the world’s first Help2Earn platform, empowering people to start and scale businesses for free while rewarding those who help. With 3M followers and 1B views, Simon inspires through his street interviews and #GiveWithoutTake motto, urging daily acts of kindness to create lasting change. Learn more about his philosophy from his inspiring TEDxBrighton talk.
2. Jordan Schwarzenberger
Jordan Schwarzenberger is a leading entrepreneur and one of the top marketing speakers in the world, known for managing Europe’s most prominent creators, The Sidemen (244M+ cross-channel followers). As co-founder of Arcade Media, he has helped launch three seven-figure businesses: Sides (fried chicken, burgers and wraps), XIX Vodka and Side+ (membership platform).
Starting his career at VICE and LADbible at just 17, Jordan later founded Roundabout, the UK’s first Gen Z agency, before becoming CCO at YMU Group, where he managed talent like Ant & Dec and Take That.
A sought-after marketing keynote speaker, he sits on multiple boards, including Soho House and has advised the UK Government on youth inclusion. He also runs Power Hour strategy sessions for entrepreneurs and hosts the award-nominated Unboxed podcast, for which he was nominated for Rising Star at the 2023 British Podcast Awards. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and a recipient of the Serious Influence Award at the BCreator Awards, Jordan is among today’s top business speakers, inspiring growth and innovation worldwide.
3. Deborah Meaden
Deborah Meaden is one of the UK’s most successful female business motivational speakers and entrepreneurs, best known as a long-standing investor in Dragons’ Den. She is an intelligent businesswoman and female entrepreneur who launched her first business at 19 and later led Westar Holidays, selling it for £33 million. With investments across multiple sectors and a deep-seated passion for ethical business, sustainability and wildlife conservation, she supports various charities. As one of the most inspirational women marketing conference speakers, Deborah shares invaluable leadership and change management insights and actively engages with her audience. She captivates audiences with her expertise, making her a role model among female speakers.
4. Sam Jones
Sam Jones is a visionary entrepreneur and founder of Gener8, a browser that empowers users to control and monetise their data. After a viral Dragon’s Den pitch, he secured celebrity investment and raised £8.5 million, with a £30 million company valuation. Named “Disruptor of the Year,” Forbes has recognised him as a rising tech star. A former Global Brand Manager at Red Bull, Sam is now one of the top digital marketing speakers for corporate events, delivering dynamic talks at global tech and business events.
5. Sara Davies MBE
Sara Davies is a British entrepreneur, television personality, and businesswoman best known for her role on the BBC’s “Dragons’ Den.” Born on 25 December 1984 in County Durham, she founded Crafter’s Companion while studying business at York University. With just £5,000 in savings, she grew the company into a multi-million-pound enterprise, providing crafting tools and supplies for hobbyists and professionals.
In 2019, Davies made history as Dragons’ Den’s youngest-ever dragon at 35, winning over audiences with her business expertise and approachable style. Her success has earned her numerous accolades, including an MBE in 2016 for services to the economy.
Beyond business, she is passionate about philanthropy and supporting entrepreneurs. A devoted wife and mother, she balances family life with her professional endeavours. Through her journey of perseverance and creativity, Sara Davies continues to inspire aspiring business owners and marketers worldwide.
6. Emily Trenouth
Emily Trenouth is a leading authority in the creator economy, advising global brands on influencer marketing and digital storytelling. With over a decade of experience spanning startups, agencies, and big tech, she has crafted influencer and partnership strategies for household names such as Amazon, LVMH, Unilever, Diageo, Nestlé, Coca-Cola, and P&G.
Beginning her career in wealth management, Emily soon transitioned to social and digital media, joining one of the UK’s first influencer tech platforms connecting brands with 50,000 creators. She later led influencer divisions at MediaCom (WPP), driving a 500% revenue growth in 18 months, and at Amazon, where she oversaw global influencer strategy across 26 markets.
Today, Emily runs her consultancy, delivering workshops, internal training, and 1:1 advisory sessions for brands, agencies, and founders. A sought-after speaker at Cannes Lions, AdWeek, and DMWF, and a top internet marketing speaker otherwise, she has been recognised on Forbes 30 Under 30, AdWeek Future is Female, and the Campaign Female Frontier list. She mentors the next generation of media and marketing talent.
7. Kudzi Chikumbu
Kudzi Chikumbu, one of today’s famous black motivational speakers, has redefined digital media through his unique approach to social strategy, creator partnerships and tech innovation. As TikTok’s longest-standing U.S. team member, he champions diversity and inclusion, shaping a thriving creator ecosystem.
Originally from Zimbabwe and raised in South Africa, Kudzi’s journey spans finance, an MBA from Stanford, a consulting career at Deloitte South Africa, and media leadership. Now a sought-after black motivational speaker, he inspires businesses, marketers and creatives to engage authentically in the AI-driven world.
Beyond tech, Kudzi founded Sir Candle Man, a luxury fragrance platform that amplifies inclusivity and accessibility. His accolades include Fortune’s 40 Under 40 and AdWeek’s Experiential Executive of the Year. A leading voice among Black speakers, he is the perfect candidate for Black History Month speakers, empowering communities with his insights on culture, media and success.
8. Vladimer Botsvadze
Vladimer Botsvadze is a globally acclaimed thought leader, keynote speaker and AI-driven marketing strategist shaping the future of digital transformation. With over 15 years of expertise, he has guided Fortune 500 brands and executives in leveraging AI to drive innovation, enhance customer engagement and establish market leadership. As the No.1 Global Marketing and Social Media Thought Leader (Thinkers360), he serves on advisory boards, including the United States Artificial Intelligence Institute, where he influences AI advancements. A Webby Awards judge and mentor at Techstars and UCLA, he empowers startups and enterprises with AI-driven strategies. Recognised by Forbes, Bloomberg and Harvard Business Review, he has delivered game-changing insights at global events, helping brands navigate AI’s impact on marketing and business growth.
He was also recognised as one of the Top 10 Global Generative AI thought leaders by Thinkers360. A motivational figure with 130k+ followers and standing ovations worldwide, Vladimer enables organisations to stay ahead in this digital environment with AI-powered strategies. This makes him a sought-after internet marketing speaker and an authority in AI-driven marketing transformation.
9. Charlotte Stavrou
Charlotte Stavrou is an award-winning entrepreneur, personal branding expert, and influential figure in the creator economy. As founder and CEO of SevenSix Agency, an influencer talent management agency, she has spent over a decade helping brands and creators develop authentic, impactful identities.
Charlotte is the creator of the acclaimed Influencer Pricing Report, a pioneering resource featured in The Guardian, Forbes, and Business Insider, widely recognised for setting industry standards for influencer compensation.
Her sought-after Personal Brand Workshops have been delivered to organisations including Soho House, Pinterest, and SOAR, where her practical, empowering approach helps individuals and teams enhance visibility, seize opportunities, and communicate their stories with confidence.
Named among Vogue Business’s Top 100 Innovators and a Champion of Change, Charlotte is committed to building an equitable creator economy. She regularly speaks at global events such as Cannes Lions, AdWeek, and Retail Week, and serves as a mentor, advisor, and board member supporting women and underrepresented entrepreneurs. Charlotte is a top digital marketing speaker who offers keynotes, panels, and workshops both in-person and online.
10. Sharmadean Reid
Sharmadean Reid MBE is a visionary entrepreneur, gender equality advocate and leader in beauty and technology. Now a writer and the founder of WAH Nails, Beautystack and The Stack World, she has ferociously stood for women’s empowerment through media and innovation, thereby recognised as a top DEI speaker.
While studying at Central St. Martins University in 2005, she launched WAH Magazine, a feminist fanzine challenging misogyny in hip-hop. She later became a brand consultant for Nike, Asos and Arena Homme + before opening WAH Nails in 2009 – an iconic East London nail bar providing a real-life space for women to connect. Her contributions earned her an MBE in 2015.
Sharmadean founded Future Girl Corp to support young female entrepreneurs and launched Beauty Stack in 2018, securing venture capital funding. Most recently, she created The Stack World, a women-centric platform fostering gender equality by connecting changemakers and entrepreneurs. With a mission to boost the women’s economy, Sharmadean continues to be a champion for workplace diversity. Penguin Random House published her first book, “New Methods for Women, ” in June 2014.
Why Book a Marketing Speaker?
Booking marketing speakers offers several advantages:
- Expert Insights: Gain access to transformative trends and strategies from leaders in the field.
- Motivation: Energise your marketing team with inspiring stories and practical advice.
- Networking: Events featuring marketing conference speakers attract professionals, enabling meaningful connections and networking.
- Tailored Learning: Sessions can be customised for your company’s objectives, whether sales, brand growth, or digital marketing.
Organisations also often hire sales speakers alongside marketing experts to integrate promotional strategy with broader business goals.
How to Choose the Right Marketing Speaker
Selecting the right speaker involves careful consideration:
- Topic Relevance: Ensure the speaker aligns with your company’s marketing objectives.
- Audience Fit: A speaker should resonate with the audience’s knowledge level, organisational goals, and interests.
- Format Flexibility: Confirm whether the speaker can deliver in-person, virtually, or in hybrid formats.
- Reputation and Experience: Look for proven track records in marketing strategy, digital innovation, or keynote delivery.
Hiring marketing keynote speakers with experience in your industry maximises impact and ROI.
Booking a Marketing Speaker with Kruger Cowne
Kruger Cowne specialises in connecting organisations with leading marketing speakers and sales speakers. Their process ensures you find a speaker who:
- Aligns with your event goals
- Fits your budget and schedule
- Provides a customised, engaging presentation
Whether you need a digital marketing speaker, an internet marketing speaker, or a thought leader for a corporate conference, Kruger Cowne can help streamline the booking process.
Conclusion
Bringing in the best marketing speakers can transform your event, providing fresh perspectives, motivating teams, and delivering actionable strategies. From marketing keynote speakers to digital marketing speakers, the right choice will energise your audience and inspire measurable growth.
FAQs
What topics do marketing speakers typically cover?
Marketing speakers cover strategy, digital transformation, social media, influencer and digital marketing, SEO, branding, customer experience, and innovative approaches to sales and marketing.
Are virtual marketing sessions available?
Yes, many marketing conference speakers offer virtual or hybrid sessions, ensuring accessibility and flexibility.
How much does it cost to book a marketing speaker?
Fees vary depending on the speaker’s reputation, experience, and the format of the event. Top speakers can range from £3,000 to over £50,000 per session, depending on the speaker’s expertise and profile.
How far in advance should I book a marketing speaker?
It’s advisable to book at least 3-6 months in advance for popular marketing keynote speakers, especially for corporate conferences and high-demand events.
