By leading through example and embracing change, agile leaders inspire transformation and resilience – qualities essential for navigating today’s complex, fast-paced business environment
What is Agile Leadership?
Agile leadership focuses on nurturing leadership at all levels, fostering adaptability, resilience, and a growth mindset. Unlike traditional leadership, it requires leaders to embody agility themselves, not just enforce it. Agile leaders prioritise shared purpose and collective effort, continually evolving their own capabilities to support dynamic, responsive organisations
Source: Agile Business Consortium & The Open University
What are the Principles of Agile Leadership?
The agile business consortium have identified nine principles of agile leadership to support organisational transformation.
- Principle 1 - Actions speak louder than words
- Principle 2 - Improved quality of thinking leads to improved outcomes
- Principle 3 - Organisations improve through effective feedback
- Principle 4 - People require meaning and purpose to make work fulfilling
- Principle 5 - Emotion is a foundation to enhanced creativity and innovation
- Principle 6 - Leadership lives everywhere in the organisation
- Principle 7 - Leaders devolve appropriate power and authority
- Principle 8 - Collaborative communities achieve more than individuals
- Principle 9 - Great ideas can come from anywhere in the organisation
Source: Agile Business Consortium
Who are the Best Agile Leadership Speakers to Hire for Your Next Event?
Utilising exclusive event poll data from over 137 leadership-themed events between 2023 and 2025, our Director, Jack Hayes has provided his official selection of the Top Agile Leadership Speakers to Hire for your next event!
- Jo Salter
- Steven Bartlett
- Nicky Moffat
- Zak Brown
- Scotty Mills
- Bear Grylls
- Helen Glover
- General Sir Richard Shirreff
- Justin Hughes
- Sam Warburton
- Will Carling
- Alastair Cook
- Brian McBride
- Emma Grede
- Seb Coe
- Alex Fergusson
Jo Salter
Dr Jo Salter MBE, the UK’s first female fast jet pilot, is a celebrated speaker on agile leadership thanks to her remarkable career in the Royal Air Force and global business. Having flown the Panavia Tornado and led an all-male squadron, Jo developed unmatched resilience, quick decision-making, and leadership under pressure. Her transition from RAF officer to senior roles at PwC, including Director of Global Transformative Leadership, demonstrates her ability to lead through change. Jo inspires corporate audiences by blending military precision with business insight, making her a sought-after speaker on overcoming adversity, embracing transformation, and leading with agility.
Official Feedback for Jo Salter
"I just wanted to say thanks for your help with organising Jo Salter - she was amazing and so inspirational everybody loved listening to her story." - Sarah, Events & Educational Courses Manager, Straumann UK
Steven Bartlett
Steven Bartlett would make an excellent speaker on agile leadership. A dynamic entrepreneur and investor, Steven has built and scaled multiple ventures, including Flight Group and thirdweb, navigating rapidly evolving sectors like Web3, biotech, and e-commerce. His podcast, “The Diary of a CEO”, reveals deep insights into leadership from the world’s top minds. As the youngest-ever Dragon on “Dragons’ Den”, Steven blends bold decision-making with adaptive thinking – key traits of agile leadership. His work in diverse communities, prisons, and the military reflects a people-first mindset, making him a compelling, insightful, and inspiring voice for organisations embracing change and innovation.
Official Feedback for Steven Bartlett
"The event was everything and more than we hoped! Feedback immediately after and since has been that it was the best event they had attended. Steven and his team were absolutely fantastic, so accommodating, so friendly and it really was a pleasure to host them." - Charlotte, Vice President Operations Control Management, J.P. Morgan
Nicky Moffat
Brigadier Nicky Moffat CBE enjoyed a distinguished 27-year career in the British Armed Forces, serving in frontline command as well as strategic roles within the Ministry of Defence. She supported government operations during crises in Iraq, Afghanistan, Sierra Leone and the UK, and led 4,500 personnel in her most senior post. Since leaving the Army, she founded “What Good Leadership Looks Like”, advising major organisations across diverse sectors on leadership development and cultural transformation. Her bespoke talks draw on real-world experience and offer actionable insights. Nicky is an ideal speaker on agile leadership, blending military discipline with practical corporate relevance.
Official Feedback for Brigadier Nicky Moffat
"We booked Nicky to talk at our ‘women in road’ network event. Nicky gave a fantastic talk and really connected with her audience who found her both interesting and thought provoking. She was a great success and feedback after the event was all positive – they loved her!" - Emma, The AA
Zak Brown
Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing, is a compelling choice for a speaker on agile leadership. With a sharp focus on business transformation and strategic growth, he has led McLaren to a remarkable resurgence in Formula 1, culminating in a triumphant 2024 season. His leadership blends bold decision-making with operational excellence, exemplifying agility under pressure. From founding a motorsport marketing agency to expanding McLaren’s reach across multiple racing series, Zak's career reflects adaptability and visionary thinking. Revered for his resilience and risk-taking mindset, he brings invaluable insight to leadership in fast-paced, high-stakes environments – making him ideal for audiences seeking transformation and inspiration.
Scotty Mills
Former Royal Marines Officer and agile leader Scotty Mills is celebrated as the highest-ranking Black Officer in the Corps' history. With 32 years of service, he mastered leadership under pressure, holding key roles in performance, training, and rehabilitation. Post-military, Scotty has become a sought-after executive coach and keynote speaker, famously supporting Gareth Southgate and the England Football Team. His deep understanding of team cohesion, resilience, and mindset has shaped elite athletes, corporate teams, and Olympians. Through authentic, inspiring leadership, Scotty empowers individuals and organisations to achieve peak performance and transform their potential.
Official Feedback for Scotty Mills
"Now and again you go to a conference and a speaker comes on and takes command of the audience with their first sentence. Major Scotty Mills is such a person." - Mike, CEO, British Institute of Innkeeping
Bear Grylls
Bear Grylls, OBE, is one of the world’s most recognised adventurers, famed for his daring expeditions and boundless resilience. From scaling Everest shortly after a near-fatal parachuting accident to hosting Emmy-nominated survival shows, Bear’s career is a masterclass in perseverance. A former SAS soldier, bestselling author, and Chief Ambassador of World Scouting, his achievements span the extremes of endurance and entertainment. Whether rowing a bathtub down the Thames or hosting high-altitude dinner parties, Bear’s tales both inspire and amuse. As a speaker on agile leadership, his unmatched adaptability and unwavering mindset in uncertain conditions make him a truly compelling choice.
Official Feedback For Bear Grylls
"One of the most moving and honest speakers I have heard in many years." - Spike Milligan
Helen Glover
Helen Glover MBE is a two-time Olympic gold medallist and former world number one rower, celebrated for her achievements with Team GB. Her journey from novice to elite athlete through the Sporting Giants scheme, her record-breaking successes with Heather Stanning, and her remarkable comeback to elite rowing post-motherhood, exemplify resilience, adaptability, and leadership. As a speaker, Helen draws on these experiences to deliver powerful, relatable insights into perseverance, teamwork, and personal growth. Her authenticity, humility, and drive make her an inspiring choice to speak on agile leadership – demonstrating how to adapt, lead under pressure, and thrive through change.
Officil Feedback for Helen Glover
"Exceeded expectations, we were very impressed indeed." - Bray Leino Vivactis
General Sir Richard Shirreff
General Sir Richard Shirreff is an ideal speaker on agile leadership, drawing on a distinguished military career and extensive strategic experience. As NATO’s former Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe, he led multinational teams in complex, high-pressure environments, demonstrating adaptability, foresight, and collaborative leadership. His ability to unite diverse stakeholders under shared goals, particularly in crisis and conflict, mirrors the agility needed in modern business leadership. Now a respected geopolitical strategist and author, Sir Richard brings invaluable lessons on decision-making, resilience, and transformation. His deep understanding of global risk and values-based leadership makes him uniquely qualified to inspire today’s agile leaders.
Justin Hughes
Justin Hughes is an exceptional speaker on agile leadership, blending frontline experience with strategic insight. A former Red Arrows fighter pilot, senior executive, and climate-focused biotech entrepreneur, he brings real-world credibility to high-performance leadership. His engaging delivery is matched by actionable frameworks, such as his BETTUR model, which equips leaders to thrive amid uncertainty and rapid change. With global experience advising clients like Microsoft and Mercedes F1, Justin is adept at inspiring diverse audiences. His academic rigour, entrepreneurial success, and commitment to purpose-driven leadership make him a compelling voice on agility, resilience, and navigating complex, high-stakes environments.
Official Feedback for Justin Hughes
"Justin is one of a rare breed of speakers who completely captivates an audience, providing actionable insights that translate directly into positive business outcomes. I'm certain that his impact was a factor in our record performance this month. An outstanding individual with world-class ability to bring excellence to life." - Toby, CEO, Harrington Starr, North Starr, HSTC
Sam Warburton
Sam Warburton is a former international rugby union star, best known for captaining both Wales and the British & Irish Lions, making history as the youngest-ever Lions captain at just 24. Starting his career with Rhiwbina RFC and Glamorgan Wanderers, he quickly rose through the ranks to earn 49 caps as Wales captain. Since retiring, Sam has become a respected pundit and co-founded the SW7 Academy. He was awarded an OBE and an Honorary Fellowship for his services to sport. Sam is an ideal speaker on agile leadership, offering unique insights on resilience, adaptability, and team performance from elite sport to business.
Will Carling
Will Carling, one of England's most successful rugby captains, embodies the qualities of strong leadership, motivation, and team coordination, making him an excellent choice for speaking on agile leadership. With his impressive career, including multiple Grand Slam victories and 72 international caps, Carling's leadership on the field demonstrates his ability to drive results under pressure. His psychology background and experience in the Royal Regiment of Wales further shaped his discipline and strategic thinking. As a speaker, he shares invaluable insights on goal achievement and team success, offering lessons applicable to both corporate and sporting environments, making his talks both powerful and inspiring.
Alastair Cook
Alastair Cook, former England cricket captain, is renowned for his incredible achievements on the pitch. With over 12 years representing England, he holds multiple records, including the most capped Test player and captain in the country’s history. A four-time Ashes winner, Cook's leadership and prolific batting made him a cricket legend. After retiring in 2018, he shifted focus to philanthropy and public speaking, sharing his insights on leadership, resilience, and success. As an after-dinner speaker, his experiences on the field provide a compelling narrative. His blend of leadership and mental toughness makes him an ideal speaker on agile leadership.
Official Feedback for Alastair Cook
"The audience loved Alastair, especially the cricket fans in the room." - Exponent Private Equity LLP
Brian McBride
Brian McBride is a distinguished leader with vast experience in driving digital transformation, notably former CEO of Amazon UK and Chairman of ASOS. His leadership philosophy emphasises adaptability, innovation, and a growth mindset, which he believes are critical to thriving in today's fast-paced business environment. McBride's success in scaling businesses, such as overseeing Amazon’s growth and ASOS's global expansion, showcases his ability to navigate disruption. His insights into leadership, especially in fostering a culture of resilience and agility, make him an ideal speaker on agile leadership, offering valuable lessons on embracing change for long-term success in competitive markets.
Official Feedback for Brian McBride
"Brian’s talk was excellent and went down so well with our customers who have all commented on how much they enjoyed his talk on their feedback forms." - Logistex
Emma Grede
Emma Grede, a trailblazing British entrepreneur, would make an excellent speaker on agile leadership due to her innovative approach to business and leadership. As the co-founder of successful brands like ‘Good American’ and ‘Skims’, she has consistently embraced adaptability and inclusivity in an ever-changing market. Her ability to pivot, challenge traditional norms, and lead with a focus on diversity makes her an ideal example of agile leadership. Emma’s entrepreneurial journey, from founding ITB Worldwide to co-founding multiple billion-dollar brands, demonstrates her capacity to drive growth while fostering inclusive cultures – key principles of agile leadership in today’s fast-paced business landscape.
Lord Seb Coe
Lord Sebastian Coe is an iconic figure, renowned for his achievements as a world-class middle-distance runner and for his leadership in securing London’s 2012 Olympic bid. As the chairman of the London Organising Committee, he played a pivotal role in the Games' success, embodying qualities of resilience, teamwork, and effective leadership. Coe’s vast experience in sports management and his ability to challenge the status quo make him an ideal speaker on agile leadership. His background in navigating complex, high-pressure environments and driving large-scale change offers valuable insights into leadership and innovation, making him a compelling choice for corporate events.
Official Feedback for Seb Coe
“A legend to open our company conference...tailored his speech to our conference theme and delivered the wow factor” - Noble Foods
Alex Ferguson
Sir Alex Ferguson is widely celebrated as one of football’s most successful managers, with a record 49 trophies to his name. Beginning as a prolific forward in Scotland, he transitioned into management in 1974, achieving remarkable success with clubs like Aberdeen and Manchester United. Over 27 years at United, he led the team to 38 major titles, famously nurturing young talent such as the Class of ’92. Knighted in 1999 and honoured with numerous accolades, Sir Alex is now a highly regarded speaker. His deep understanding of leadership, team dynamics, and peak performance makes him an ideal choice to speak on agile leadership.
Benefits of Hiring a Speaker on Agile Leadership
Hiring an agile leadership speaker brings numerous benefits, including inspiring innovation, enhancing team collaboration, and fostering a growth mindset. Our speakers provide practical insights on adapting to change, improving decision-making, and driving continuous improvement. Their expertise equips leaders with tools to navigate complexity and build high-performing, adaptable teams.
Hire an Agile Leadership Speaker with Champions Speakers Today!
If you are interested in hiring one of the expert leadership speakers, contact Champions Speakers today! Call one of our dedicated booking agents on 0207 1010 553 or complete our online contact form.
This exclusive article on the best Agile Leadership speakers in the UK was authored by Jack Hayes, using official event poll data from 137 leadership-themed events between 2023 and 2025, and vetted information from The Open University and The Agile Business Consortium.
An image of the best agile leadership speakers in the UK to hire via Champions Speakers, as selected by Managing Director of Champions Speakers, Jack Hayes.
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