Dr Eliza Filby is a historian, author and generational expert who works with organisations around the world to help them understand how generational change is reshaping society, work and leadership. She has received the Europa Forum’s 2022 Millennia Leaders Award and is now widely hired as a motivational speaker by businesses, institutions and global forums seeking to navigate a rapidly changing workplace. Her keynotes explore how different generations think, work and lead, offering practical insights that inspire audiences to adapt, collaborate and prepare for the future. She has also contributed expert testimony to the UK House of Lords Select Committee on Intergenerational Unfairness and hosts the podcast, 'It’s All Relative'. Through her engaging storytelling and historical perspective, she motivates leaders and teams to see generational change not as a challenge but as an opportunity for innovation and growth.
Eliza's expertise is grounded in a strong academic foundation in modern and contemporary history. She studied History at Durham University before completing a master’s degree in Modern History at University College London. She then went on to earn a PhD in Contemporary British History from the University of Warwick. Her early career focused on teaching and research, where she developed a distinctive approach that connects historical understanding with present-day social and economic trends. She has taught the history of capitalism to Chinese millennials at Renmin University in Beijing and the history of social democracy to British millennials at King’s College London, experiences that deepened her understanding of generational attitudes across cultures and societies.
Alongside her academic work, Dr Eliza has become a sought-after keynote speaker, delivering motivational talks at major international events such as the EU Human Rights Forum and the Financial Times CEO Summit. Her presentations focus on the evolving relationship between generations, exploring how demographic change, technology, and shifting values are transforming workplaces and institutions. She is also the founder of GradTrain, a leading UK graduate training company established in 2014, which works with organisations to develop and support the next generation of talent. As an author, she has written extensively on generational change and the future of work, writing 'God and Mrs Thatcher: The Battle for Britain’s Soul' in 2013 and influential works such as 'Fuelling Gender Diversity: Unlocking the Next Generation Workplace' and 'Mind the Gap: Managing a Multi-Generational Workforce in the Post-Pandemic Age'.
Dr Eliza Filby’s academic expertise, research on generational change, leadership training and global speaking engagements position her as a distinctive motivational voice. Whether speaking to business leaders, policymakers or emerging professionals, Dr Eliza motivates audiences to think differently about generational change. Her presentations encourage organisations not only to understand the differences between generations but also to harness those differences as a source of collaboration, creativity and long-term success. Hire Dr Eliza Filby for your next event via The Motivational Speakers Agency today!
