Studies have found that up to 82% people struggle with feeling an amalgamation of self-doubt, anxiety and guilt, when it comes to accomplishing their goals. This phenomenon is known as imposter syndrome.
What Does Imposter Syndrome Mean?
Imposter syndrome is a psychological condition where individuals doubt their accomplishments and feel like frauds, despite evidence of their competence. It predominantly affects high achievers who struggle to internalise their success, often questioning if they truly deserve their accolades. This self-doubt persists even when others recognise their skills and achievements.
Source: Forbes
What are the Best Methods to Overcome Imposter Syndrome?
Some ways in which we can overcome imposter syndrome include:
- Reminding ourselves of our hard work and dedication
- Not comparing ourselves to people on social media
- Celebrating our wins – big or small
- Educating ourselves about imposter syndrome by hiring an expert speaker
Source: Harvard Business Review & American Psychological Association
Who are the Top 10 Imposter Syndrome Speakers in the UK?
- Katy Leeson
- Poppy Jamie
- Pippa Grange
- Nigel Owens
- Lauren Paton
- Jo Salter
- Kate Atkin
- Katie Ford
- Owen O’Kane
- Gina Battye
- Taz Thornton
1. Katy Leeson
Katy Leeson is a leading keynote speaker, growth coach and marketing consultant, best known for her role as Managing Director of Social Chain, one of the UK’s most influential social media agencies. During her five years in charge, she scaled the business from 30 to over 130 employees, built global campaigns for brands including Coca-Cola, Boohoo and Warner Music, and helped transform the agency into a household name alongside Steven Bartlett. A straight-talking leader with a reputation for honesty and practical insight, Katy is highly sought after for her expertise in imposter syndrome, mental health in the workplace, female leadership and next-generation management. Beyond her corporate success, she is a top-ranked podcast host, former CEO of Gary Neville’s Relentless Group, and now advises fast-growing brands as a fractional CMO. Katy’s talks draw on her own experiences of leadership and self-doubt, offering audiences proven strategies to thrive with purpose, confidence and clarity.
Katy Leeson’s Official Speaker Topics:
- Imposter Syndrome
- Mental Health in the Workplace
- Purpose and Fulfilment at Work
- Psychology of Content
- Leadership and Business Growth
- Next Generation Management
- Female Leadership
- Values and Motivation
2. Poppy Jamie
Poppy Jamie is a renowned mental health and wellbeing keynote speaker. As the founder of Happy Not Perfect, she aims to democratise conversations around mental health. Poppy speaks on topics like flexible thinking, manifesting your best self, and upgrading the mind. She combines personal experience with scientific research, offering practical tools for emotional resilience and mindfulness. Her expertise, showcased in talks like TEDx and the UCLA Wow Summit, makes her a sought-after speaker for corporate and academic events.
Poppy Jamie’s Official Speaker Topics:
- Happy, Not Perfect: The Power of Flexible Thinking
- Upgrade Your Mind & Manifest Your Best Self
- Happiness Workout: A Journaling & Meditation Experience
- Addicted to Likes
3. Pippa Grange
Pippa Grange is a renowned applied psychologist, celebrated for her role as the Head of People and Team Development for The Football Association. With over a decade of experience in elite sports and corporate sectors, Pippa excels in guiding audiences on culture, ethics, and leadership. Her expertise helps organizations sustain peak performance and broaden their definition of success. As an international keynote speaker, she offers profound insights into the psychology of winning without compromising values.
Pippa Grange’s Official Speaking Topics:
- Culture & Ethics of Sport
- Sustaining Best Performances
- Broadening the Definition of Sporting Success
4. Nigel Owens
Nigel Owens, an esteemed international rugby referee, is a distinguished keynote speaker renowned for his expertise in mental health, sports leadership, and LGBT+ advocacy. Leveraging his career under immense pressure, Nigel addresses topics like imposter syndrome, offering invaluable insights. As one of the first openly gay figures in rugby, he has courageously shared his battles with suicide, bullying, and bulimia, promoting essential conversations on diversity and inclusion. His impactful speeches resonate deeply, drawing from his personal and professional experiences.
Official Testimonial for Nigel Owens:
"Nigel was amazing. Can't express how much the team and the 240 colleagues valued the conversation with him. Some really sensitive topics discussed with a few tears (a lot) in the audience, but it really resonated with a lot of colleagues on the line." - Pfizer
5. Lauren Paton
Lauren Paton is a dynamic keynote speaker renowned for empowering women, tackling imposter syndrome, and promoting mental health. With a background in senior marketing roles at Amazon and Disney, Lauren's straight-talking, compassionate approach inspires change. As the founder of Scout + Circle, she leverages over 20 years of experience to guide women in leadership. Her talks, such as "Busting the Impostor Syndrome Myth," offer insightful, actionable strategies for success. Book Lauren to transform your next event.
Official Testimonial for Lauren Paton:
"Thank you so much for your event today - feedback has been fantastic. It was our highest audience for an event to date!" - Alison, Amazon
6. Jo Salter
Dr. Jo Salter MBE, renowned as the first female fast jet pilot in the Royal Air Force, is a leading motivational speaker specialising in overcoming imposter syndrome. Her illustrious career, including roles as PwC's Director of Global Transformative Leadership and Global Advisory of GenAI, underscores her expertise in leadership and resilience. Jo's inspiring journey, from flying the Panavia Tornado to empowering women in male-dominated fields, makes her a powerful voice in mental health and empowerment.
Official Testimonial for Jo Salter:
"Jo’s keynote was inspiring, energizing and truly insightful. The attendees referenced her stories throughout the day. Please send A BIG THANK YOU to Jo – we are very happy with the session she delivered, and she has definitely exceeded our expectations." - Weber Shandwick
7. Kate Atkin
Dr Kate Atkin is an acclaimed keynote speaker on mental health, resilience, and imposter syndrome. With a PhD in the imposter phenomenon and extensive experience, she inspires confidence and clarity through her talks and workshops. Author of "The Confident Manager" and "The Presentation Workout," Kate has helped thousands worldwide, including the Bank of England and NHS. Her compelling personal journey and practical strategies make her presentations impactful and engaging, even in virtual settings.
Official Testimonial for Kate Atkin:
"Thank you for delivering an informative and engaging session on Imposter Syndrome for the Home Office Gender Equality Network. Your expert knowledge of the subject matter shone through during the presentation, and you gave precise and empathetic answers to questions raised, often signalling further resources on the issue. Everyone left the session with a set of things they can start doing today to build their confidence and tackle imposter syndrome." - The Home Office Gender Equality Network
8. Katie Ford
Katie Ford, a thought leader in the veterinary field, addresses imposter syndrome with authenticity and expertise. Co-founder of Vet Empowered, she offers coaching and speaks at global events, sharing her journey and insights on overcoming self-doubt. With a Master's in Emotional Wellbeing and extensive veterinary experience, Katie inspires others to recognise their value and potential. Her impactful work makes her a sought-after keynote speaker, guiding professionals to conquer imposter syndrome and thrive.
Official Testimonial for Katie Ford:
"This was the best talk I’ve attended in years. Imposter syndrome - I felt very seen and learned a lot about how to try and help myself re-focus." - KB, Veterinary Cardiology Specialist
9. Owen O‘Kane
Owen O'Kane, renowned author of "Ten to Zen," is a revolutionary figure in mental health and wellbeing. With a solid background in medicine and psychotherapy, his speeches are grounded in research and practical strategies. Owen offers valuable insights into stress management, making him an ideal speaker for corporate events. His experience in palliative care and work as a Clinical Lead with the NHS enrich his talks, helping audiences navigate stress, change, and uncertainty with resilience and hope.
Official Testimonial for Owen O’Kane:
"Owen ran a series of interactive mental wellbeing sessions for Vodafone staff. The feedback from these sessions was incredible. I still regularly get colleagues talking about them today." - Alex, Head of Corporate and Portfolio Strategy, Vodafone Business
10. Gina Battye
Gina Battye, Founder and CEO of the Psychological Safety Institute, is a pioneering keynote speaker on psychological safety, mental health, and organisational behaviour. As the acclaimed author of "The Authentic Organisation: How to Create a Psychologically Safe Workplace," Gina advocates for inclusive and safe work environments. Her innovative 5 Pillars of Psychological Safety and cutting-edge tools, like Lux, are globally recognised, transforming workplace cultures and promoting authentic self-expression.
Official Testimonial for Gina Battye:
"We are very happy with Gina's talk. She managed to give very practical examples that our employees can understand and adopt." - Mariana, ESG Social & DEI Program Assistant, SoftwareOne
11. Taz Thornton
Taz Thornton is a leading UK-based keynote speaker specialising in empowerment, confidence-building, and a unique approach to overcoming imposter syndrome. As the author of The So What? Mindset, Taz challenges conventional perceptions of imposter syndrome, advocating for embracing and understanding these feelings as a pathway to personal growth. Her dynamic presentations draw from extensive experience in coaching and mindset development, offering audiences actionable tools to reframe self-doubt and harness it as a motivational force. Taz’s distinctive methodology encourages individuals to confront and befriend their inner critic, leading to profound personal and professional transformation.
Official Testimonial for Taz Thornton:
“Dynamic, knowledgeable, refreshingly honest, challenging, passionate, high energy, witty, funny and insightful. Taz is like Tony Robbins with pink hair!” - Phil, Geeky Group & Experts Online
Hire a Leading Imposter Syndrome Expert Speaker!
Overcoming imposter syndrome is essential to performing to one’s highest capabilities. If you want to help people in your organisation understand this phenomenon better, hire a leading imposter syndrome & mindset keynote speaker. Complete our online contact form or contact one of our dedicated booking agents at 0207 1010 553.
This blog post was written by Sophia Reed who has gathered official data and feedback from 400 events related to mindset and psychology between 2022 and 2024.
An image of the 10 best imposter syndrome speakers to hire in the UK via Champions Speakers, as selected by Sales Director, Sophia Reed.
Champions Speakers' Standards: Champions Speakers Principles of Trust
