Katy Leeson

"She changed everything. Katy was exceptional.” – Steven Bartlett

Katy Leeson is a renowned keynote speaker, growth coach, and marketing consultant, widely recognised for her work as the Managing Director of Social Chain, one of the UK’s most influential social media agencies. Known for her straight-talking style and practical leadership insights, Katy’s standout achievement was scaling Social Chain from 30 to over 130 staff and helping to build the agency into a household name in partnership with Steven Bartlett. Alongside her business success, she is also a top-ranked podcast host, rated in the top five business podcasts on iTunes, and a passionate advocate for mental health, purpose-driven leadership, and inclusive workplaces.

Katy began her career in media at Feather Brooksbank, learning the ropes as an Account Manager before joining MediaCom North, where she progressed through several roles to become Head of New Business and Marketing by 2015. These formative years sharpened her skills in advertising strategy, client management, and business development. Her rapid rise through the industry is a testament to her ambition, talent and adaptability. Former MD of Steven Bartlett’s Social Chain growing the start-up agency into a £300M global marketing leader with taking it from 30 employees to 750+ employees across 24 offices worldwide.

Over the years, Katy has received numerous accolades for her leadership and impact. She was recognised as a LinkedIn Top Voice in 2019 and 2020, named a Campaign Female Frontier Honouree in 2020, listed as an IPA Women of Tomorrow Finalist in 2016, and has built a LinkedIn community of 70,000. After leaving Social Chain, she became CEO of Relentless Group, Gary Neville’s media company. She headed the media team at Salford City FC, launched the club’s social channels, and grew its fanbase by applying the psychology of fandom. The aim was to turn local kids whose dads supported Manchester United into lifelong Salford fans. She also grew audiences for the shows, led the marketing strategy and execution for Stick to Football, and helped launch The Overlap, one of YouTube’s leading UK sports shows. More recently, she has taken on fractional CMO roles with fast-growing brands such as Nadine Merabi, Luxe Collective, and Glowwa, supporting their strategic marketing, digital performance, and content development.

Katy’s approach to speaking is direct, honest and deeply human. She speaks on Imposter Syndrome, Mental Health at Work, Female Leadership, and Next Generation Management, offering real-world strategies rooted in personal experience and professional credibility. Whether delivering a keynote, leading a workshop, or speaking on a panel, Katy connects with audiences of all sizes, inspiring positive change in how people lead, work, and live. Katy has also been voted No.1 of the 10+ Best Imposter Syndrome Speakers to Hire in the UK, a recognition that reflects both her authenticity and the lasting impact of her talks. For any organisation looking to grow with purpose and clarity, Katy brings the rare mix of leadership experience, emotional intelligence, and business acumen that drives real impact.