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Steph McGovern
Presenter and Podcaster
JLA Presents
Festival of Speech 2026
Our clients were inspired at an unforgettable night.
EVENT INSIGHTS
What an incredible evening
Spanning everything from leadership and AI to F1 and space exploration, there were too many insights to list, but here are some of our favourites…
Major Tim Peake CMG reframed the importance of effective risk management, performance under pressure and teamwork with stories from above the stratosphere.
Through the high-stakes lens of F1, Claire Williams OBE stressed the importance of leading with kindness and decorum – both towards those you manage within an organisation, and towards yourself.
Tim Davie’s no-holds-barred Q&A revealed the secret to deep-seated resilience: striking the balance between taking your job seriously, and not taking yourself too seriously, at the same time.
Video Highlights
EVENT INSIGHTS
After the interval
Dr Laura Gilbert CBE and Ben Legg tackled AI’s toughest issues and biggest promises, exploring the continued impact these still developing technologies will have on jobs, business, education, and the next generation.
Finally, Sir Lenny Henry CBE advocated for the power of creative talent – as a tool to nurture connection in our increasingly digitised world, and to drive positive change propelled by genuine good will, with reference to his incredible achievements through Comic Relief.
The event was hosted by the ever-superb Steph McGovern, who tied the evening together seamlessly.
An enormous thank you to all our incredible clients who braved the blazing London heat and joined us yesterday. We can’t wait to see you again next year!
Video Highlights
More Highlights
Festival of Speech 2025
Six World-Class Speakers, One Unmissable Event
On the evening of Tuesday, 9th September, we hosted the very first JLA Festival of Speech – a new event where the leading speakers of today tackle the most pressing topics of our time.
The evening took place at Kings Place, London, and we were joined by six of the most exciting speakers in their respective fields today.
Nicola Sturgeon and Sir James Cleverly discussed the nuances and complexities of our current political landscape, whilst also bringing to light the pressures they each face working in the public sphere.
Jamie Laing reflected powerfully on the lessons in entrepreneurship that shaped his shift from starring on TV to running a successful business.
Rahaf Harfoush unpacked the momentous scope of AI’s impact on both our professional and personal lives.
Richard Ayoade reflected on his processes and perspectives as a cross-disciplinary creative.
The whole event was anchored by the fantastic Louise Minchin, who wove a golden thread between each of the sessions.
