"Thank you - your delivery and intensity were spellbinding" - Deloitte
René Carayol MBE is a world-leading executive coach, dynamic keynote speaker, and best-selling author known for his impactful work in leadership, business transformation, and inclusive corporate culture. A passionate storyteller and inspirational figure, René is celebrated for his ability to electrify audiences with real-world experiences and transformative insights. His most renowned achievement is authoring the acclaimed leadership book ‘SPIKE: What Are You Great At?’, which champions a strengths-based approach to unlocking potential in individuals and teams.
René’s journey began in the 1980s with a formative role as Senior IT Manager at Marks & Spencer, where he first encountered the complexities of leadership and innovation. He quickly rose through the ranks of corporate leadership, becoming Systems Director at PepsiCo, where he developed critical experience in operational strategy and high-performance teams. His career-defining moment came in 1995 when he joined IPC Magazines as a Board Director, and later, in 1999, was appointed Managing Director of IPC Media, leading Europe’s largest ever management buyout. These experiences shaped his deep understanding of leadership and his mission to promote inclusive, high-performing cultures.
Over the years, René has built an extraordinary portfolio of achievements. In 2004, he was honoured with an MBE for services to the business community, a testament to his wide-reaching influence. He is the Founder and CEO of Everyone. and Inspired Leaders Network and currently serves as a Non-Executive Director at Computacenter. His extensive coaching career includes partnerships with global leaders such as Sir Richard Branson, Nelson Mandela, David Cameron, and corporate giants including Google, Bayer, World Bank Group, and Medallia, where he was appointed Executive Vice President of ESG in 2021. René is also a respected media contributor and Visiting Professor at Cass Business School since 2012, and was recently named a LinkedIn Top Voice for his thought leadership in inclusive leadership and corporate culture.
Organisations hire René because he does not simply speak - he moves people. He brings a rare combination of authority, humility and authenticity, tackling topics like Business, Leadership, Teamwork, Workplace Culture, Digital Disruption, Resilience, and Peak Performance. These subjects are crucial in today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, and René delivers them with precision, emotion, and pragmatic insight. Whether advising FTSE 100 leaders or inspiring grassroots teams, René Carayol delivers more than motivation - he delivers change. He helps leaders see what is possible and equips them with the tools to achieve it.
Social Media
Books
Spike: What Are You Great At?
Corporate Voodoo: Business Principles For Mavericks And Magicians
My Voodoo: A Practical Guide To Unleashing The Magic In You And Your Work
Reviews
René Carayol received a 4.5 star rating across 11 events in 2023
Agent Recommendation
"René Carayol is an exceptional executive coach and keynote speaker, renowned for his transformative insights into inclusive leadership. With a proven track record at companies like PepsiCo and Time Inc UK, and collaborations with luminaries like Nelson Mandela, René energises audiences with his authoritative presentations. His work enhances corporate culture and leadership, making him a pivotal asset for any business aiming to thrive in diversity and inclusion."
René Carayol's official speaking topics are listed below:
Inclusive Leadership – Everybody In, Nobody Out
Explores the necessity of diverse and inclusive teams for optimal decision-making and innovation. Carayol illustrates how embracing varied perspectives leads to dynamic and effective leadership.
Culture is More Powerful Than Strategy
Highlights the significance of organisational culture in achieving business success. Through compelling narratives, Carayol demonstrates how culture drives performance beyond strategic planning.
Manage a Little Less, Lead a Little More
Advocates for a shift from traditional management to inspired leadership. Carayol provides actionable insights on empowering teams and fostering a leadership mindset.
Collaboration is the New Leadership
Emphasises the importance of collaborative efforts in modern leadership. Carayol discusses building high-performing teams through trust, shared goals, and collective responsibility.
Strength-Based Leadership – SPIKE
Introduces the SPIKE philosophy, focusing on identifying and leveraging individual strengths. Carayol guides leaders in building confidence and creating inclusive, high-performing teams.
Business Transformation
Provides strategies for navigating and leading through organisational change. Carayol shares experiences on driving transformation while maintaining core values and employee engagement.
Resilience and Peak Performance
Addresses building resilience in teams to achieve sustained peak performance. Carayol offers techniques for overcoming challenges and maintaining momentum in the face of adversity.
Official Feedback from In-Person & Virtual Events
Feedback from In-Person Events:
"René's wise counsel and experience has been transformational. Working intimately with René over the years has had a tremendous impact both on me and The World Bank" - The World Bank
"A big thank you for your priceless inspiration and motivation to our fabulous team over the past three days. You have left a phenomenal impression on me personally." - Bank ABC
"I wanted to thank you for a fantastic session. You promised storytelling and emotion and you certainly delivered." - Credit Suisse
"I don't know how to thank you enough. The grateful messages and emails are flooding in along the lines of 'that was such a fantastic talk - one of the best I have ever attended'." - Warner Media UK
"Thank you for everything you've done for me and the team, I couldn't have achieved these outstanding results without your support and guidance along the way." - Barclays Europe
"He is one of the most inspiring speakers and coaches I've ever had the privilege of working with." - Unite Students
"Still basking in the glory of Kuala Lumpur. What a success that was. Nearly everyone said it's the best offsite they've ever been on" - Standard Chartered Bank
"René Carayol really wowed the audience." - KPMG
"That was such a fantastic talk – one of the best I have ever attended. I can’t wait to continue talking and to be able to do that face-to-face. You’ve lifted our spirits with an impact that will last way beyond today." - WarnerMedia UK & Ireland
"A short note to say THANK YOU for a great session this morning. Your passion and energy for the topic really shone through and your authenticity through the story-telling really added to the whole experience." - E:ON
"A very insightful delivery that is life-transforming. You cannot remain the same after being exposed to these concepts that René talks about. A true leader himself, René shares time-tested values and principles that deliver results. I have been impacted for life!" - Coca-Cola
- 2024 – Delivered keynote at the World Credit Union Conference
- 2021 – Founded Everyone, serving as Chief Executive
- 2021 – Appointed Executive Vice President of ESG at Medallia
- 2017 – Published 'SPIKE: What Are You Great At?'
- 2012 – Appointed Visiting Professor at Cass Business School
- 2006 – Founded the Inspired Leaders Network, serving as Chief Executive
- 2004 – Appointed MBE for services to the business community
- 2002 – Published 'My Voodoo: A Practical Guide to Unleashing the Magic in You & Your Work'
- 2001 – Published 'Corporate Voodoo: Business Principles for Mavericks & Magicians'
- 1999 – Appointed Managing Director of IPC Media (now Time Inc. UK)
- 1995 – Appointed Board Director of IPC Magazines (now Time Inc. UK)
- 1992 – Served as Systems Director at PepsiCo
- 1983 – Began career as Senior IT Manager at Marks & Spencer
How to hire René Carayol
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring René Carayol 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.
