Military speakers are highly sought after for their leadership, resilience, and team-building expertise. Drawing from experiences in high-pressure environments, they inspire audiences with stories of courage, discipline, and overcoming adversity.

Why Are Military Motivational Speakers Hired for Events?

Military motivational speakers are hired for events because they bring real-world experience in leadership, teamwork, and resilience. Their stories of navigating extreme challenges and high-stakes environments captivate audiences, offering valuable lessons on overcoming adversity, making decisive choices under pressure, and fostering a strong team dynamic. By sharing their personal journeys, military speakers teach audiences the importance of discipline, perseverance, and problem-solving in achieving success both individually and collectively.

As of April 2024, there were an estimated 148,230 personnel in the UK Armed Forces. Such personnel are hired for keynote speaking events to share their valuable lessons for both business and personal development.

10 Best Military Motivational Speakers to Hire:

This exclusive selection of the 10 Best Military Motivational Speakers in the UK was collected through a combination of official sources and exclusive insights from industry experts. Event polls conducted at 134 military-themed events, between 2022 and 2024, provided valuable data, making this selection reflect the most impactful speakers currently available to hire.

Jo Salter MBE

Jo Salter MBE is hired as a military motivational speaker due to her pioneering role as the first female fast jet pilot in the RAF, where she developed expertise in leadership, resilience, and performing under pressure. Drawing on her military and business experiences, Jo inspires audiences by sharing her journey of overcoming adversity and excelling in male-dominated sectors. As a Director at PwC and a former flight leader, she offers valuable insights on leadership, personal growth, and beating challenges, making her a sought-after speaker for corporate and military events.

Official Feedback for Jo Salter MBE:

"Lunchtime speaker Jo Salter regaled the audience with anecdotes about her experience of being Britain's first female fighter pilot, humorously describing ways in which she overcame male prejudice and official red-tape" - Inspire Futures Ltd

Scotty Mills

Scotty Mills is hired as a motivational speaker due to his distinguished 32-year career in the Royal Marines, where he became the highest-ranking Black Officer and a renowned leader. Known for his expertise in leadership, teamwork, and resilience, Scotty’s ability to perform under pressure has made him a sought-after executive coach. His experience working with elite teams, including the England Football and Rugby teams, and his track record in inspiring high-performance, has solidified his reputation as a powerful speaker on leadership, team cohesion, and achieving success.

Official Feedback for Scotty Mills:

"Scotty Mills has inspired me as a Leader and had a big impact on what I’ve done over the last couple of years." -Gareth Southgate OBE England Football Manager

Colin MacLachlan

Colin MacLachlan should be hired as a motivational speaker for his unparalleled expertise in resilience, teamwork, and leadership, honed during his time as a Special Forces Commander in the 22 SAS regiment. His real-life experiences in high-pressure, life-or-death situations, such as hostage rescues, offer powerful lessons for businesses. Colin translates these insights into actionable strategies for success, emphasizing teamwork, risk management, and resilience. With his celebrity appeal from SAS: Who Dares Wins and his captivating storytelling, Colin inspires and equips teams to excel under pressure.

Official Feedback for Colin MacLachlan

"The event was very good and Colin was the perfect fit for what we were trying to achieve. Although the SAS and our business are worlds apart, we got loads of positive feedback on the synergy between Colin's experiences and the lessons of the SAS and our business challenges. Overall I think everyone left feeling energised, focused and determined and a big part of that was down to Colin's inspiration. Thank you for all your help and please pass on my thanks to Colin." - Cambria Automobiles

Jason Fox

Jason Fox, known as "Foxy," is hired as a motivational speaker due to his extraordinary experiences as a former Special Forces officer and his candid discussions on PTSD, resilience, and mental health. His likeable nature, raw storytelling, and unique insights from his career—from hostage rescue missions to television roles—captivate audiences. Fox’s talks promote self-belief and teamwork, resonating with people from all walks of life. His global influence, bolstered by numerous testimonials and media success, makes him a truly inspiring figure for motivational events.

Official feedback for Jason Fox:

"Jason Fox spoke at our Company Conference. He was humble, yet inspiring, and managed to keep the audience’s attention throughout his whole talk. He stimulated more questions from the team than we have ever had before for a speaker. I would highly recommend him to businesses who want to inspire their team on teamwork, resilience and positive mental attitude” - Hasbro

Mandy Kickson

Mandy Hickson, a trailblazing female pilot, delivers exceptional motivational speeches grounded in her remarkable experiences in the Royal Air Force. As the second woman to fly a Tornado GR4 on the front line, she faced high-stakes challenges, showcasing her resilience, leadership, and risk management skills. Her unique insights from 45 missions over Iraq and personal journey of overcoming setbacks inspire audiences to embrace perseverance and teamwork. Through engaging stories and valuable lessons, Hickson empowers individuals and organizations to achieve their potential, making her an outstanding choice for any motivational speaking event.

Official Feedback for Mandy Hickson:

"She was amazing, thank you! The perfect end to our conference. Everyone was really inspired and had a lot to say after her presentation. Thank you for your help in arranging" - Vodafone

Nicky Moffat

Nicky Moffat would be an exceptional motivational speaker due to her extensive leadership experience in the Armed Forces and government, where she managed thousands of soldiers and tackled complex challenges. Her diverse roles have honed her ability to lead, inspire, and drive transformative change. As a coach and speaker, she tailors her presentations to audience needs, sharing practical insights drawn from real-life experiences. With a TED-style delivery, Nicky engages audiences authentically, empowering them to apply her leadership lessons personally, making her an inspiring choice for any event.

Official Feedback for Nicky Moffat:

"Practical advice that I can use today. Nicky is such an engaging speaker. Great mix of the blue sky aspirational stuff with the realistic stuff" - Senior Legal Counsel 

Bear Grylls

Bear Grylls is an exceptional motivational speaker, drawing from his thrilling experiences as one of the world’s leading adventurers and a former SAS trooper. His incredible stories of perseverance, such as scaling Mount Everest after a parachute accident, showcase his resilience and inspire audiences to face their own challenges. With his unique blend of adventure, humor, and life lessons, Bear captivates listeners, leaving them motivated to push their limits. His widely recognized TV career and charismatic presence make any event unforgettable, offering transformative insights into survival, endurance, and personal growth.

Official Feedback for Bear Grylls:

"There are precious few people in this world who can really make a difference in a positive way, you are one. Many thanks for all you are doing for BA. It is so good for our people to hear and learn from someone who has done so much in a world so different from ours."

Simon Weston

Simon Weston is an exceptional motivational speaker, offering a powerful story of resilience and triumph over adversity. As a British Army veteran who survived life-changing injuries in the Falklands War, Simon’s journey of recovery showcases immense courage, mental strength, and determination. His ability to connect with diverse audiences, from corporate settings to charitable events, makes him a compelling figure. His experiences, documented in books and media, inspire others to face their own challenges, embrace change, and overcome obstacles, making him an ideal speaker for motivating people to achieve their goals.

Official Feedback for Simon Weston:

“Simon was fantastic! Feedback was….One of the best speakers we’ve had. Hugely motivational, Funny, Fantastic presentation, Captivating, Many thanks for all your help!" - Johnson & Johnson 

Major General Jonathon Shaw

Major General Jonathan Shaw is an exceptional motivational speaker, combining three decades of military leadership with cutting-edge expertise in cyber security. As the first Head of the Defence Cyber Security Programme, Jonathan’s progressive leadership and strategic vision have transformed organizations worldwide. His military background, including leading international operations and managing a £90 million cyber program, showcases his unparalleled ability to inspire and guide teams. With extensive experience in leadership, global security, and strategic development, Jonathan empowers audiences with actionable insights, making him an ideal choice to motivate and drive success across industries.

Official Feedback for Major General Jonathon Shaw:

"He was really excellent at yesterday’s conference; thoughtful, insightful and a powerful presenter. He provided real value to our conference." - FutureWorld 

Ollie Ollerton

Ollie Ollerton is an ideal motivational speaker due to his remarkable resilience, forged through intense military experiences and personal battles. From facing terrorists in Iraq to overcoming addiction and depression, Ollie shares powerful lessons on mental strength and perseverance. His engaging style, shaped by his time on *SAS: Who Dares Wins*, captivates audiences with life-or-death stories and insights into overcoming adversity. As co-founder of Break Point, Ollie’s expertise in teamwork and leadership offers audiences actionable strategies for building resilience, making him perfect for inspiring peak performance.

Official Feedback for Ollie Ollerton:

"Ollie was amazing! It touched quite a few people, to be honest, and people definitely seemed more positive afterwards, myself being one of them. It was an inspiring speech and the app has landed well. The humorous bits were a nice touch." -MKC Wealth

Hire a Military Motivational Speaker Today!

If you are interested in hiring a military motivational speaker for your next event, contact Champions Speakers today! Call one of our dedicated booking agents on 0207 1010 553 or complete our online contact form to begin the hiring process.