Baroness Karren Brady of Knightsbridge CBE is the definition of an inspirational businesswoman. The award-winning business mogul is most recognised as the former Managing Director of Birmingham City and Vice-Chairman of West Ham United, a self-made success who has since utilised her platform to champion others to achieve their ambitions. Working both in government and her personal ventures, Karren has not only continued to make an influential impact in business, but paved the way for others to make their mark. Named as one of The Sunday Times' 100 Most Powerful Women in Britain and Debrett's Top 50 Most Influential & Inspirational People in Britain, why not learn from the pioneer yourself, with a keynote speech from Baroness Brady of Knightsbridge CBE?
Motivated by her desire to create an impact in the industry, Karren chose not to go to university, instead taking up an advertising traineeship. A resilient and unrelenting worker, Karren's work ethic paid dividends when she was appointed Managing Director of Birmingham City football club aged only 23, by the time she was 27 she was the youngest ever Managing Director of a UK plc, a testament to her business acumen and drive. Establishing herself as a formidable talent when it comes to the transformation of businesses, Karren has since achieved the same feat with West Ham, as Vice-Chairman of the club, leading them to sit in the top 5 fastest growing football brands globally.
Karren has also acted as an Aide to Lord Alan Sugar on BBC's The Apprentice, working tirelessly as a trusted advisor on the show since 2009. Having been named Revitalise Businesswoman of the Year 2007, Karren has dedicated much of her later work to championing other women in business, entrepreneurialism and male-dominated industries. From her role as the former Government Small Business Ambassador to chairing the Lifeskills Advisory Council that ensures young people opportunities, Karren's influence spans generations and sectors. Her inspirational capabilities have been published in print, and her Sunday Times Bestseller ‘Strong Women’. Highly sought after to share her business acumen, Karren has also starred on The Diary of a CEO podcast, focussing on How to Win at Entrepreneurship & Love.
Some of Karren's most significant accolades include being named one of the 100 Most Powerful Women in the UK by BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour and one of The Guardian's 50 Most Influential Women in British Sport. She was awarded CEO of the Year at the Football Business Awards and recognised as Britain’s Most Inspirational Woman at the Breakthrough for Breast Cancer Inspiration Awards. Additionally, she was appointed CBE for Services to Entrepreneurship and Women in Business.
Turning her distinguished business career into an opportunity to support others, Brady is now a highly sought-after motivational speaker. Having spoken for the likes of Costa Coffee, Land Rover UK and Government conferences, she offers an experienced and bespoke talk at each engagement she attends. Speaking on a range of topics, from how to acquire an entrepreneurial spirit to turning a failing business into a world-class brand, Brady is an invaluable asset to both individuals and corporate clients. With first-hand experience of everything she discusses, Brady’s talks are guaranteed to be captivating and entertaining, as one of the best speakers in the world for the past decade.
Most recently, Karren Brady was inducted into the Best International Women's Day Speakers to Hire, a testament to her talent as an inspirational businesswoman. In December 2023 Karren Brady conducted a Keynote Speech on her top tips for success in business. Watch the Speech from Karren Brady here.
Social Media
Books
Strong Women: The Truth About Getting To The Top
Karren Brady's 10 Rules For Success
Playing To Win: 10 Steps To Achieving Your Goals
Brady Plays The Blues: My Diary Of The Season
Trophy Wives
Reviews
Baroness Karren Brady received a 5 star rating across 10 events in 2023
Agent Recommendation
"Voted Business Women of the Year, Karren Brady is a formidable force of corporate success. The Managing Director of Birmingham City later joined The Apprentice cast, as Lord Sugar’s trusted advisor. Karren’s after dinner speeches invite audiences into the worlds of business, football and broadcasting, creating a thrilling experience."
How to hire Baroness Karren Brady
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Baroness Karren Brady for your next event, today. To get in touch, simply call an official booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
** We do not accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, birthday messages or any other non-commercial contact with the speakers or acts. Each speaker on the website may not have necessarily worked with Champions in the past but are known to perform such engagements within the industry.
Karren Brady's official speaking topics are listed below:
How to get Entrepreneurial Spirit
One of the qualities that has driven Karren throughout her thirty-year career is her entrepreneurialism. Being able to seek opportunities and capitalise on them is at the core of an entrepreneur, and is a skill that can be honed with the right mindset and environment. Karren shares her experiences of entrepreneurial spirit as the spearhead of Premier League football clubs and offers advice on how others can achieve this in their own lives.
How to be the Best You Can
The pinnacle of success is knowing you have reached your optimum output and reaped the rewards, a time Karren experienced in each of her ventures, whether it be club leadership, government adviser or author. Individual to each audience member is their ‘best’ and as a speaker, Karren focuses her talk on inspiring each person to reflect on whether they are achieving their best, and the small steps you can take to get there.
How to Build a World-Class Culture
Most relevant to corporate clients is culture, the element that is often overlooked but can make or break a company. Building a thriving business culture is fundamental to success and Karren has excelled at this throughout her career, developing strong working relationships and a positive ethos has allowed her and those around her to work towards a common goal. As a keynote speaker, she will give audiences the tools to build a working culture that’s conducive to success.
How to Turn a Failing Business into a World-Class Brand
From a financially failing club to a top 5 global football brand, Karren’s influence on West Ham’s international image is remarkable, and her transformational abilities go beyond football clubs. Able to apply her winning formula to any business or sector, at talks, Karren is invaluable to others seeking the tools to become a global identity or bounce back from a setback with strength.
The Top 10 Key Ingredients you Need to Be a Success
There truly is no person better placed to give your audience the ingredients for success than Karren. The internationally revered authority has not only succeeded in her business ventures but also as a mentor, government advisor and anything else she has set her mind to. Passionate about paving the way for others, Karren instils key qualities required for success in each listener of her talks.
Official Feedback from In-Person & Virtual Events
Feedback from In-Person Events:
"Thank you for taking the time to talk to the ladies at Capital One, they found your talk motivating, inspiring and refreshingly honest!" - Capital One
“As one of the UK's leading hospitality brands we recently engaged Karren to deliver a keynote speech at our annual conference in Manchester for circa 2200 delegates. Karren’s speech was totally ‘on-message’ and really resonated with our team members. Karren’s appearance created a real WOW for our team members Costa Coffee.” - Costa Coffee
"I was truly enthralled - she was FANTASTIC. I have described her talk as life-changing - so refreshing and motivational." - Professional Cricketers Association
"Thank you for making the conference such a resounding success. Overwhelmingly positive feedback, the delegates were truly impressed." - The Management & Leadership Network
- 2024 - Aide to Lord Alan Sugar on the 18th series of "The Apprentice"
- 2023 - Appeared on Loose Women on "Breaking Down Menopause Taboos"
- 2022 - Starred on The Diary of a CEO, speaking about "How to Win at Entrepreneurship & Love"
- 2017 - Appointed as Chairman of Taveta
- 2014 - Elevated to the House of Lords, taking the title Baroness Brady of Knightsbridge in the City of Westminster
- 2014 - Named on Debrett's Top 50 Most Influential & Inspirational People in Britain list & The Guardian's 50 Most Influential Women in British Sport
- 2014 - Appointed CBE for Services to Entrepreneurship & Women in Business
- 2013 - Named as one of the 100 Most Powerful Women in the United Kingdom by Woman's Hour on BBC Radio 4
- 2012 - Author of "Karren Brady's 10 Rules for Success" & "Strong Women: The Truth About Getting to the Top", a Sunday Times Best Seller
- 2012 - Named CEO of the Year at the Football Business Awards
- 2011 - Named Britain's Most Inspirational Women at the Breakthrough for Breast Cancer Inspiration Awards
- 2010 - Recipient of an Honorary Degree from the University of Birmingham
- 2010 - Named on The Sunday Telegraph's 100 Most Powerful Women in Britain, The Evening Standard's London's 1000 Most Influential People & The Sunday Times 11 Most Inspirational Women in Britain lists
- 2010 - Became Vice-Chairman of West Ham
- 2009 - Joined the cast of The Apprentice as Lord Sugar's aide
- 2008 - Winner of the NatWest Spirit of Everywoman Award for Services to Women in Business
- 2007 - Named Revitalise Businesswoman of the Year
- 2007 - Author of "Playing to Win: 10 Steps to Achieving Your Goals"
- 2006 - Cosmopolitan Magazine's Woman of the Year in the category "Woman Who Has Changed the World"
- 1998 - Author of "Trophy Wives"
- 1995 - Author of "Brady Plays the Blues: My Diary of the Season"
- 1993 - Became Managing Director of Birmingham City Football Club, aged 23
- Former Chairman of Kerrang!
- Former Board Member of Sport England
- Former Non-Executive Director of Channel 4
- Ambassador for Barclays Life Skills
- Patron of Like After Stroke Awards
- Ambassador for Well Being for Women
