Karen Blackett

Karen Blackett is hailed as an influential media mogul and business leader, who has continuously broken down gender and race barriers to become a pioneer in her field. As the former CEO of MediaCom UK, Karen’s expertise is recognised internationally, and her influence has been defining for the market-leading company. Offering her first-hand experience of the journey to the top, and the obstacles that came with it, Karen’s keynote speeches are transformational for audiences who want to implement inclusivity in their professional and personal lives.

A leading media professional with over three decades of experience, Karen has held senior positions since 1999 when she was appointed to the Board of Directors for the merger of The Media Business Group and MediaCom. Working on global projects, Karen was recognised as a marketing and advertising leader, renowned for bringing innovative ideas alive with creative flair and yielding unrivalled business results. Taking to the position of UK CEO for MediaCom in 2011, she won the illusive Tesco business deal, was twice awarded Agency of the Year in 2013 and 2014 and spearheaded the UK’s largest media agency to success with clients like Audi, Coca Cola and GSK. She has also acted as the DIT Business Ambassador for No.10, helping to diversify Civil Service, and was appointed as the Race Equality Business Champion by Prime Minister, Theresa May. Other prominent roles include being a Non-Executive for The MOBO Trust, Creative England and The Creative Industry Federation.

Appointed OBE in 2014 for her services to media and communications, Karen’s defining career has been commended at every level. Featuring five times on Britain’s Most Influential Black People Power List, and Marie Claire’s Top 10 Inspirational Women, Karen’s work towards representation of black women in business is remarkable. Now using her position in the industry to benefit change, Karen continues to transform the corporate sector as the President of WPP UK, also continuing her advocacy as a Founding Trustee of the Black Equity Organisation - a charitable organisation aimed at advancing justice and equity for Black people in Britain. In 2019, she was also honoured with recognition from IPA for her outstanding services to the advertising industry. Other commitments of Karen's include being the Chancellor of the University of Portsmouth and a Non-Executive Director of Diageo Plc.

Being a woman in a male-dominated world was no easy sell for Karen, however, it did little to dampen her ambition. As a speaker, Karen now utilises her international public platform to motivate aspiring businesswomen to strive for success and enlighten corporate audiences on the benefits of a diverse workforce. Equally inspirational as an advocate for racial equality, Karen represents the BAME community and acts as a role model, encouraging black women to break down the barriers that still exist within society. A champion of the underdog, Karen’s talks have been transformational for previous clients on a personal and company-wide scale. From Black Women Mean Business to the House of Commons, Karen’s talks have been heard across the globe, and her TEDx talk It's OK To Be You was empowering for many. Book her today!