Tim Peake
Astronaut
JLA SPEAKS
Elevate Your Team in 2027 with Expert Motivational Speakers
The first few weeks of a new year set the tone for the twelve months that follow. Sales kick-offs, leadership offsites and all-company conferences are where targets are shared, priorities are reset and teams decide how much they believe in the plan.
That makes January one of the most important moments in the calendar, and one of the busiest. Many of the most in-demand speakers are already taking bookings for early 2027, so now is the time to start planning who will open, close or energise your event.
There are plenty of ways to keep a workforce motivated, from recognition and development to flexible working. But few things shift the mood in a room as quickly as hearing from someone who has performed at the very highest level and can explain, in plain terms, what it took.
Why motivational speakers work
- A fresh perspective. An external speaker can say things a leadership team can’t, and bring new thinking to familiar challenges without the bias that comes from being inside the organisation.
- Real experience, not theory. The best speakers use their own stories – from the Olympic podium to the International Space Station – to draw out practical lessons on teamwork, pressure and resilience that audiences can apply the next morning.
- Tailored to your goals. A good speaker will take a brief and shape their session around your industry, your audience and the message you want people to leave with.
- A shared moment. When leaders and teams hear the same story in the same room, it creates a common reference point that can be built on for the rest of the year.
Tim Peake CMG
Tim was the European Space Agency’s first British astronaut to visit the International Space Station, selected from more than 9,000 applicants. During his six-month Principia mission he carried out over 250 experiments and completed a spacewalk. A former Army Air Corps officer and test pilot, he draws on his experience to explore teamwork, high performance and managing risk.
Dame Kelly Holmes
At Athens 2004, Kelly became the first British woman to win both the 800m and 1500m at the same Olympic Games, after years of injury and setbacks. Now a broadcaster, author and mental health advocate, she speaks about resilience, high performance and wellbeing, with an honesty and warmth that stays with audiences long after the event.
Sir Gareth Southgate
Over eight years as England manager, Gareth became the first to lead the team to consecutive European Championship finals and only the third to reach a World Cup semi-final. He built a squad that defied expectations through a culture of teamwork, humility and resolve. He speaks about leadership, high performance and building culture, including finding the balance between praise and constructive challenge, and the value of diversity of thought.
Maggie Alphonsi MBE
A Rugby World Cup winner, Maggie helped England to seven consecutive Six Nations titles and was the first woman to win the Rugby Union Writers’ Club Player of the Year. She explores high performance, resilience and how to perform under pressure, drawing on her broadcasting experience of succeeding in a male-dominated environment.
Sir Chris Hoy MBE
An eleven-time World Champion and six-time Olympic gold medallist, Chris is one of Britain’s greatest ever Olympians. He shares what it takes to perform when it matters most – the preparation, the mindset and the small details that separate the best from the rest – in a way that resonates far beyond sport.
Mandy Hickson
Mandy was one of the first women to fly on a front-line Tornado GR4 squadron and flew operational missions over Iraq, having failed the RAF’s entry tests twice before she made it. She shares lessons on decision-making under pressure, motivation and communication, as well as the value of a proper debrief – something the RAF does as standard, but many businesses overlook.
Ellis Watson
Ellis has worked for Rupert Murdoch, led two global public businesses, taken Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? to more than 100 countries and served as Global CEO of Syco. Energetic and practical, he speaks on leading through change, engaging and retaining the next generation of talent, and building resilient businesses in a time of AI-driven disruption.
Jill Scott MBE
One of England’s most-capped players, Jill played in ten major international tournaments and was part of the squad that won the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 on home soil. Since retiring she has built a successful broadcasting career. She brings humour and insight to talks on peak performance, teamwork and making the most of every opportunity.
Giles Duley
Giles, a renowned photographer and triple amputee, delivers speeches on resilience and the human capacity to overcome adversity. From a fashion photographer dissatisfied with the industry, Giles shifted his focus to documenting the stories of individuals in war zones. His powerful narratives inspire audiences to find strength and purpose in the face of challenges.
FAQs
How far in advance should I book a motivational speaker for a January event?
As early as you can. January is one of the busiest months of the year for speakers, so we recommend getting in touch around three months ahead. That gives you the widest choice and time for a proper briefing call before the event.
How much does it cost to book a motivational speaker?
Fees vary widely depending on the speaker, the format and the event. JLA groups speakers into fee bands, from Band E (£5k and below) to Band AA (over £100k), and the speakers above range from Band D to Band AA. Tell us your budget and we’ll recommend the best options within it.
What do you base your recommendations on?
We only provide honest advice and never recommend speakers we can’t stand behind. Before recommending options for a speaker, presenter or performer, we will discuss your expectations, event goals, audience, budget and theme.
We see and meet dozens of speakers and performers every month, and with four decades of experience placing speakers and artists in every type of event possible, all over the world, and with details of over 12,000 speakers on our database, we are confident we will be able to recommend the best fit for you.
After all, our network is built on genuine, long-term relationships. Contact us today for advice about your next event.
Start planning your 2027 kick-off
If you’re planning a kick-off, conference or leadership event for early 2027, now is the time to secure your speaker. Get in touch with the team to discuss your brief, and we’ll come back with tailored recommendations, including speakers who don’t appear on our website.
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