With gender equality making great strides, the world has come a long way since the Suffragette movement in the early 1900s. Despite this, some men are still slipping through the cracks of social injustices.
This is where International Men's Day (IMD) comes in.
When is International Men's Day 2026?
International Men's Day takes place on the 19th of November 2026, as it has done every year since it was relaunched in 1999, by Dr Jerome Teelucksingh, a doctor from Trinidad and Tobago.
Often coinciding with "Movember", where men grow their facial hair to raise awareness for mental health, the event encourages men and boys to break down internalised stereotypes surrounding toxic masculinity.
Each year, the theme for International Men's Day remains the same, according to the organisers:
- Making a positive difference to the wellbeing and lives of men and boys
- Raising awareness and/or funds for charities supporting men and boys’ wellbeing
- Promoting a positive conversation about men, manhood and masculinity
Source: International Men's Day
The Six Pillars of International Men's Day
As described by the official International Men's Day website, the six pillars of IMD are as follows:
- Promote realistic and positive male role models
- Celebrate men's positive contribution to society
- Focus on men's health and wellbeing
- Highlight discrimination against males
- Promote gender equality
- Create a safer world for all genders
At its core, International Men's Day tackles the injustices damaging men's wellbeing. Including all races, sexualities and religions, the event is important to dismantle the life-threatening impact of toxic masculinity.
Sources: International Men's Day & UK Men's Day
The Top 10 Speakers to Hire for International Men's Day!
Celebrate International Men's Day the right way - with a powerful keynote speaker! Following the evaluation of event surveys at 149 International Men's Day events, Jack Hayes has delivered his expert opinion on the top International Men's Day speakers to hire!
1. Jason Fox
Jason Fox is a former Special Forces officer turned motivational speaker, who uses his platform to discuss the devastating impact that Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) had on his life. His speeches discuss the mental and physical challenges he faced in the Special Forces and how such hurdles changed him as a person. An authority on determination and mental strength, Jason takes his audience on a journey through his speeches, discussing the importance of men looking after their mental health.
Official Feedback for Jason:
"He was great! He made us laugh and had some good takeaways from a mental health perspective so messaging was spot on." - JP Morgan
2. Mark Foster
Mark Foster is one of the most celebrated swimmers in Olympic history. Since his retirement, he has taken the speaking circuit by storm, sharing his stories from the forefront of international sport. After coming out as homosexual in 2017, Mark now dismantles the stigma surrounding gay men in society and within the male community. Whether audiences recognise him from Strictly Come Dancing or the Olympic Pool, Mark will transform audiences' perspectives at events.
Official Feedback for Mark:
"Mark was a powerful speakers, he held the room and touched on so many relevant points for us , especially allyship. We've already had lots of positive feedback and would recommend him." - Hannah-Minna, Compliance Manager, BMS
3. Simon Sinek
Widely regarded as one of the most influential male figures, TED talk speaker Simon Sinek, has built an empire as a motivational speaker. His strategies for effective leadership and personal development have benefited hundreds of events around the globe, while his success serves as inspiration for men everywhere. Simon has cracked the code for maximum productivity, a realisation that makes him in high demand on the speaking circuit.
4. Ollie Ollerton
Hailing from a long career in the Special Forces, Ollie Ollerton thrived in the Royal Navy and the SAS, embarking on defining missions like Operation Desert Storm in Iraq. Following on from such a period of his life, Ollie found himself battling PTSD, depression and addiction. He went from one challenge to another and had to hone his skills in mental resilience to overcome such trauma. As a speaker, Ollie motivates audiences to do the same.
Official Feedback for Ollie:
"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 insiring speech and landed well. The humourous bits were a nice touch." - Amy, Head of Marketing & Events, MKC Wealth
5. John Barnes
From the pitch to the stage, John Barnes is one of the most popular sports speakers available to book. Over the course of 79 caps for England, he spent two decades playing for the likes of Newcastle United and Liverpool. He was voted England's greatest ever left-footed player by readers of The Times, a testament to his skill and talent. As a speaker, John connects with audiences on a personal level, leaving a lasting positive impression.
Official Feedback for John:
"John has such a big personality, he covered topis around racism, privilege & conditioning your mind. It was such a thought-provoking session! One of our MD's said John's one of the best speakers he's heard in a long time!" - Natalie, Co-Lead
6. Stuart Pearce
Famed as one of the country's greatest football icons in the history of the sport, Stuart Pearce has gone down in history for his string of incredible free-kicks. Playing mostly for Nottingham Forest, his speeches discuss the power of high-performance teams and the camaraderie that comes with a strong support circle. From peak performance to mental resilience, Stuart connects with male audiences through their love of sports.
Official Feedback for Stuart:
"It was a pleasure to work with him. Really nice guy who couldn't have been more flexible or accomodating. Great with our guests, taking selfies and taking the time to talk to everyone. The keynote was engaging and bang on brief. Couldn't have been more thrilled with him." - TJ Morris Ltd
7. Jeff Brazier
Media star and inspiring speaker, Jeff Brazier, has featured at a wide range of events, including Clothes Show Live. Jeff met his former partner, Jade Goody, in 2002, when they both appeared on Big Brother. Jade later passed away after fighting cancer in 2004, leaving Jeff to battle with grief. He now uses his voice to discuss the experience of losing a loved one, being a single father and finding a sense of wellbeing after such a traumatic experience.
Official Feedback for Jeff:
"All ran very smoothly and all had a great night. I've had a lot of positive response that Jeff is the best presenter we've had over the three years of holding this event." - Intu
8. Andrew Strauss
Andrew Strauss is widely regarded as one of the most successful cricket captains in the sport, famed for his positive leadership skills. He thrived within cricket, rising through the ranks until he was the Director of Cricket for the England and Wales Cricket Board. Riding high on his career, tragedy struck when Andrew's wife was diagnosed with lung cancer. Following the death of his partner, he later founded The Ruth Strauss Foundation, which provided psychological support for families suffering from grief. Additionally, Andrew has worked with Heads Together, a mental health organisation.
Official Feedback for Andrew:
"Andrew was absolutely outstanding. He did a great job, thanks for all your help." - Syntelinc
9. Sir Ranulph Fiennes
Named by the Guinness Book of World Records as the World's Greatest Living Explorer, Sir Ranulph Fiennes has become a pioneer of men's potential. As the oldest British person to summit Mount Everest and the youngest Captain in the Army, he has become the embodiment of determination, resilience and perseverance. For male audience members, Ranulph inspires them to push past their perceived limitations to set and achieve their goals.
Official Feedback for Ranulph:
"Ranulph was incredible, the feedback from our delegates has been fantastic - and he's a really nice guy too. A pleasure to work with." - Sapphire
10. Tim Peake
Following nearly 20 years in the Army Air Corps, where Tim Peake worked as a test flight pilot, he transitioned to the world of space travel. Tim was later selected by the ESA, becoming the second astronaut to wear the British badge at the International Space Station in 2015. As if being an astronaut wasn't incredible enough, Tim then founded #CosmicClassroom, a YouTube series that sparked the interest of millions of students. When booked for events, he motivates male audiences to pursue their potential.
Official Feedback for Tim:
"An inspirational event. Tim captiavted the audience with his fascinating insights into the rigours, challenges and wonder of space exploration." - Tim, Chief Executive, Deutsche Telekom AG
Hire an International Men's Day Speaker Today!
Although this list does recommend our top selection of speakers, our complete roster is one of the biggest in the country. Browse our full list of International Men's Day speakers today, get in touch and get a free tailored quote now. To book one of our inspiring male speakers, browse and select your desired topic and simply complete our online booking form or call us on 0207 1010 553.
This exclusive article on the top International Men's Day speakers to hire was written by Jack Hayes, after the vetted evaluation of event surveys at 149 International Men's Day events.
An image of the 10 male speakers for International Men's Day, as selected by the Managing Director of Champions Speakers, Jack Hayes.
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