Award-winning social entrepreneur, John Bird, has pioneered change on tackling homelessness for over thirty years. Utilising his platform as the founder of The Big Issue, Bird has had extensive involvement in politics, influencing policies on homelessness, social entrepreneurship and poverty. A truly exemplary businessman, the impact of Bird’s career is felt across sectors, making him a valuable speaker for a range of demographics, and his personal story from struggle to success acts as an inspiration to all in attendance.
School exclusions, homelessness and incarceration shrouded much of Bird’s early years, however, in 1991 Bird decided his own destiny when he founded The Big Issue, based on his experience in print, in a bid to improve the lives of others. Four years later The Big Issue Foundation was born, and further gave those in less fortunate positions, predominantly homelessness, the opportunity to earn an income through selling the magazine.
Now operating in 34 countries, 24 languages and spearheaded by one influential man, The Big Issue, and its branch Big Issue Invest, have invested over £30 million into social enterprises. A testament to the dedication and strong moral compass Bird leads with, The Big Issue is not a globally revered social business. Furthering his commitment to challenging poverty in the UK, Bird became invested in politics in the early 2000s.
From 2007 he acted as a Social Enterprise Ambassador that supported work in the field, backed by the government, until 2010. Taking the position of a non-party-political ‘people’s peer’ Bird was named a Life Peer in 2015, and as Baron Bird of Notting Hill became Vice-Chair of the Groups on Poverty, Ending Homelessness and Social Enterprise. For his essential work, driven by the desire to help others, Bird has been the recipient of much praise, not least an MBE in 1995 Birthday Honours for services to homeless people.
Named Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young 2008, Bird has also received a number of honorary doctorates, and was voted by the public London’s Living Legend in 2004, a sign of his revered status in the city, and beyond. For businesses seeking advice on how they can offer more, beyond the desire to make profit, and audiences looking for motivation to pursue their own social endeavours, John Bird is one one of the most high profile, inspirational speakers available, the embodiment of the rags to riches narrative, with a selfless twist.
How to hire Lord John Bird
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Lord John Bird for your next event, today. To get in touch, simply call an official booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
** We do not accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, birthday messages or any other non-commercial contact with the speakers or acts. Each speaker on the website may not have necessarily worked with Champions in the past but are known to perform such engagements within the industry.
Feedback from virtual events and webinars
During the Covid-19 pandemic and the temporary halt of live events, John was booked as a speaker for a range of virtual events and webinars. Read his latest feedback from virtual events below.
"John was absolutely fab- we've had lots of lovely feedback from attendees saying how inspiring he was! We were also really impressed by how genuinely interested he was in our organisation and some of the challenges around degree apprenticeships" - Raines, University of Gloucestershire
"The talk was amazing and we can't wait to show the rest of our colleagues." - Milli, Net Company
Feedback from in-person events
John is also booked as a speaker for a range of in-person events, read his latest feedback below.
"Johns presentation was inspiring in as much as he was honest, real and absolutely believable. The audience listened intently and the way he presented kept their attention. The content really made you think and was totally relevant to the “Challenging Perception” theme of the conference." - Amanda Bailey, Just Lincolnshire
"We had a good audience and everyone was very engaged by his lecture. Many thanks for all of your help with setting this up." - Louise @ QE
