Dr Josh Littlejohn MBE

Dr Josh Littlejohn MBE is a resilient entrepreneur, Sunday Times bestselling author of Paying It Forward, and the Founder of Social Bite. Making an inspirational commitment to combating homelessness, Josh is commended for having raised over £25 million for charity, including through initiatives like The World's Biggest Sleepout. Recognised as one of Britain's most inspirational business leaders, Josh proves how purpose-driven businesses can create lasting social change while achieving ambitious commercial goals. Now a highly sought-after keynote speaker, Josh shares motivational insights into entrepreneurship, resilience, leadership, business growth, social mobility, inclusion and tackling inequality. His entirely unique business journey demonstrates how leaders can build resilient organisations, inspire meaningful change and turn ambitious ideas into reality.

Josh's entrepreneurial journey began back in 2012 when he launched a pioneering chain of sandwich shops that would grow into the globally recognised enterprise, Social Bite. With a compelling idea and the determination to execute it, Josh persuaded Hollywood A-listers to support his mission, first attracting George Clooney to an Edinburgh branch and later securing the backing of Leonardo DiCaprio. Josh's remarkable journey demonstrates to businesses and their employees how to take an ambitious concept, develop a practical plan and encourage influential people to believe in the vision. Today, Social Bite employs over 100 people and supplies over 200,000 items of food to the homeless and vulnerable people. 

Josh also launched the Social Bite Village, an initiative that developed into a Scottish Government-backed partnership helping house over 1000 homeless people in Scotland. In 2019, Josh worked with Will Smith and Dame Helen Mirren to launch The World’s Biggest Sleepout, which saw 60,000 people sleeping outside in the world’s largest display of solidarity for the homeless, including in locations like Times Square, New York, and Trafalgar Square, London. Josh is also the Co-Founder of Brewgooder, a B Corp and one of the UK's fastest-growing beer companies, which has helped provide more than 1 million people with clean drinking water. 

"Essential: An inspirational manifesto for change. Full of heart, honesty, humour and helpful advice." - Sir Richard Curtis CBE

"Sometimes I wish I could be like Josh Littlejohn. He encapsulates the power of entrepreneurship and the indomitable spirit of the human heart... he's brilliant." - Sir Bob Geldof

"Fantastic. A must for anyone who wants to change for the better." - Sir Chris Hoy

"Powerfully makes the case that entrepreneurship must become a systematic force for good - dealing with what capitalism 2.0 might look like - and deeply moving." - Alan Jope, Global CEO, Unilever

Josh's countless accolades reflect his honourable commitments to enterprise and humanitarian change. He was appointed MBE by Queen Elizabeth II, an honour he dedicated to the homeless and marginalised people. He has also been named among Debrett’s Top 500 Most Influential People in the UK, received a Pride of Britain Award Special Recognition, earned the Great London Scot Award for Outstanding Young Talent and won the Robert Burns Humanitarian Award. He was further awarded The Livingstone Medal by the Royal Scottish Geographical Society in recognition of his inspirational humanitarian service. Josh has received five honorary degrees, including honours from the University of Edinburgh and Napier University. His recent endeavours include launching the British Business Awards, one of the UK’s largest business events, in partnership with Alan Jope CBE and Sir Bob Geldof. Alongside building his own organisations, Josh has advised governments and supported FTSE 100 and Fortune 500 companies, helping senior leaders imagine stronger possibilities and implement meaningful change within their businesses.

Voted as one of the Official Best Motivational Speakers to Hire in the UK in 2026, Josh Littlejohn is hired as a keynote speaker for his powerful and inspirational insights into entrepreneurship, leadership, business growth and tackling inequalities. Champions Speakers are proud to be Josh Littlejohn's official speaker agency and representative, connecting organisations with his inspiring keynote speeches. Drawing on his experience of co-founding Social Bite and leading the fight against homelessness, Josh provides practical lessons on setting ambitious goals, persuading people to follow a shared vision and creating an organisational culture that brings out the best in employees. In his speeches, Josh explains why culture, purpose and strong leadership are essential for building resilient organisations and maintaining momentum when challenges arise.

A seasoned speaker, Josh was previously invited to deliver his insightful speech, Food For Thought, at TEDxGlasgow. He also shares compelling perspectives on employing people from excluded backgrounds, improving social mobility, tackling homelessness and poverty, and achieving success without compromising work-life balance. Through relatable stories and actionable business lessons, Josh equips audiences to generate bold ideas, plan effectively, mobilise their teams and create meaningful change. When looking for a keynote speaker who can inspire audiences to make a difference in business, their communities and wider society, hire Dr Josh Littlejohn MBE today.