JLA’s Speakers Breakfasts give event organisers and producers a free opportunity to see speakers in action before making a booking. Each year we host a Spring and Autumn season to showcase motivators, trends experts and business leaders – as well as the latest ‘movers and shakers’ and exciting new names to join the circuit.
SHOWING ALL 2010
THE OUTLOOK FOR 2011
Unsurprisingly our theme was 'The Outlook For 2011' - with the Economics Editor of the Sunday Times, the head of Oxford University's 21st Century School (and former VP of the World Bank) and the last Chairman of the Inland Revenue.
A little background on the speakers...
In his Sunday Tmes column, David Smith was one of the first to predict a V-shaped recovery though he was careful to say it will take time to become discernible to business and the public. He has since published The Age of Instability.
During his term at the World Bank, Ian Goldin was responsible for the relationship with the UK and Europe. He had previously served as CEO of the Development Bank of South Africa (and advisor to Nelson Mandela), and Programme Director for the OECD in Paris.
Before transforming the Revenue, Sir Nicholas Montagu played a leading role in several controversial issues - like rail privatisation and public service reform. His solutions for a public sector facing unprecedented cuts: outsource non-core activity, find synergies and stop re-inventing the wheel.
LOCATION Portland Place, London
DATE DECEMBER 9 2010
'OUT OF THIS WORLD' SPEAKERS BREAKFAST
If the 'Out of this World' title sounds like hype, it isn't: the guest speakers were the particle physicist and presenter and the head of Virgin Galactic, Brian Cox and Will Whitehorn. Both powerful communicators with a passion for innovation and an ability to light up the imagination of conference delegates.
Will has spent many years at Richard Branson's right hand, as Virgin Group Brand Development & Corporate Affairs Director. He is now at the helm of a real breakthrough venture: commercial space travel. Will makes the distinction between invention and innovation, and argues that the moment has arrived for business to launch a new Industrial Revolution - this time in space.
Brian divides his time between writing and presenting blockbusters like Wonders of the Solar System, lecturing his students and leading one of the key experiments at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN. With staggering images, his corporate presentations show how science has the power to shock and excite. He explains why we need explorers now more than ever, and why scientific research is critical to an economy dependent on new sources of growth.
LOCATION Portland Place, London W1.
DATE NOVEMBER 10 2010
INNOVATION AT WORK
The final breakfast of the season addressed one of the most critical themes for UK companies, the public sector and the country as a whole - Innovation. Our speakers were Hamish McRae, Wayne Hemingway and Javier Bajer
Aside from his role at The Independent, Hamish made his name as author of The World in 2020. He now turns his attention to success stories from around the globe in a new book, entitled What Works? Amongst other shining and sometimes surprising examples, he outlines the lessons we can draw from mobile telephony in Africa, sports education in Australia and philanthropy in New York.
Since selling Red or Dead, Wayne Hemingway switched from fashion to social housing - helping regenerate both urban and coastal communities. He also launched Roadrunner bikes and Shack Up sheds, but what has really grabbed the public's imagination is his idea for Pop-up shops. They now provide short-term, low-rent space for a whole new generation of designers and retailers.
Challenging a good deal of received wisdom, eminent psychologist Javier Bajer talked about 'unlocking a culture of innovation' - and how change can be achieved in a relatively short period of time.
LOCATION Portland Place, London
DATE JUNE 15 2010
OSBORNE'S FIRST BUDGET
Just as George Osborne prepared his Emergency Budget, we heard from three very well placed voices on the economy: Justin Urquhart Stewart, Anthony Hilton and Sir John Gieve - former Deputy Governor of the Bank of England.
Justin is co-founder of Seven Investment Management and a frequent media commentator. On the Today Programme he suggested the Euro might be replaced by the 'Neuro' (for stronger nations) and a 'Eurolite' currency for the rest.
Anthony is the long-serving Financial Editor of the Evening Standard. In his view "we can't cut our way out of the mess and we can't tax our way out. The only way is to grow." (Click here to read a short Q&A with him on our site.)
As well as his role at the BoE and on the Monetary Policy Committee, Sir John has carried out spending reviews for both Labour and Conservative governments - the next task for Osborne's team at The Treasury. He provided a valuable insight into the practical choices facing the new Coalition.
LOCATION Portland Place, London
DATE JUNE 1 2010
THE PROSPECTS FOR THE COALITION
Tuesday 18th May was a special Speakers Breakfast for JLA as we were joined by a trio of heavyweights: Michael Portillo, David Blunkett and Paddy Ashdown - with Huw Edwards in the chair.
With the General Election outcome decided, the big question was 'what happens now?'' What are the first priorities for the PM? Should we expect more cross-party cooperation? What impact will over 150 new MPs have on the way politics is conducted? And after all the promises about the scale and timing of tax rises and public spending cuts, what's really in store for business and the public sector?
Portillo and Blunkett have held many of the key Cabinet posts - running Employment, Education, Defence and Work & Pensions. And whilst Blunkett was Home Secretary, Paddy Ashdown served as a UN High Representative - after eleven years as leader of the Liberal Democrats. Between them, they proved there are few speakers better equipped to offer insights into how the new administration will deal with the many and varied challenges looming on the horizon.
LOCATION The Lansdowne, London
DATE MAY 18 2010
JOSH SPEAR: ENGAGING THE DIGITAL GENERATION
Please join us for the next JLA Speakers Breakfast - on Tuesday 11th May at The Lansdowne Club, London. We will be joined by one of the most influential and inspiring digital strategists in the world: the 24-year old New York whiz-kid Josh Spear.
Josh advises household name brands on things like 'authenticity' and 'word-of-mouth.' His consultancy specialises in creating strategies for deeper, lasting online relationships, and acts as a think tank on the influence of technology on human behaviour. He also runs a blog to pinpoint new trends, with a network of writers across the planet. And for good measure, the World Economic Forum at Davos has named him a 'Young Global Leader.'
Josh will set out some new ways for organisations to harness the internet. He will give us his insight into what makes certain things catch on, and how to position products and services to capitalise on fast-moving trends. Above all, he will show how to get the attention of the digital generation - just like his good friend, the founder of Facebook.
Tea, coffee and croissants will be served from 8.30am. Josh will take the floor at 9.00, and after an opportunity for Q&A we are scheduled to finish by 10.00.
CLICK HERE TO REQUEST FREE TICKETS FOR 11th MAY. Please remember to include the name and company name of any guests, who must share a professional interest in booking speakers. You will then receive confirmation by email, including directions to the venue.
LOCATION The Lansdowne Club, London
DATE MAY 11 2010
INSIDE THE MIND OF A BOMB DISPOSAL EXPERT
On Thursday 18th March we were joined by two most inspiring speakers: BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner and the heroic bomb disposal expert, Chris Hunter.
As the Army's most senior counter-terrorist bomb disposal specialist in Iraq, Chris took his life in his hands on a daily basis. He became so effective at defusing the crude but deadly devices that both Sunni and Shi'a militias put a price on his head. The author of Eight Lives Down explained how to weigh up the threats, control anxiety and rapidly identify and prioritise tasks. He also showed how fear can give you a competitive edge - whether in corporate life or on the battlefield.
As the only BBC TV journalist permanently assigned to terrorism, Frank has won universal respect for his coverage of Al-Qaeda. Fluent in Arabic (initially an investment banker at Saudi International Bank), he was shot six times at point blank range whilst filming in Riyadh. He survived devastating injuries and rebuilt his life, determined to continue his work. He has since reported from the front line in Afghanistan.
