The Top 10 Gender Equality Speakers to Hire in the UK – Official Guide
Reports from 2023 state that not a single country of 195 has achieved gender equality. While strides have been made in empowering women in the workplace, there is so much yet to be achieved.
Source: Global Citizen
For example, the gender pay gap as of 2023 stands at 14.3% in favour of men & only 37% of the total global leadership positions are occupied by women.
What are Some Examples of Gender Inequality in the Workplace?
Here are some serious ways in which gender inequality manifests in the workplace:
- Women experience sexual harassment, with 4% reporting incidents.
- Lack of flexible work options disadvantages women with caring roles.
- Pregnancy and maternity discrimination force mothers out of their jobs.
Source: CIPD
Why is Gender Equality in the Workplace Important?
Workplace gender equality is crucial as it boosts national productivity, drives economic growth, improves organisational performance, attracts and retains talent, and enhances company reputation. Beyond fairness, it positively impacts both businesses and the economy, contributing to long-term success and sustainability.
Source: Workplace Gender Equality Agency
Female empowerment initiatives in the workplace are essential to making your female employees supported. Contact The Motivational Speakers Agency via our online contact form to hire a gender equality & female motivational keynote speaker to address your employees.
Hire a Top 10 Gender Equality Speaker in the UK!
The following official guide of the top 10 gender equality speakers is based on the survey conducted by our Senior Content Executive Megan Lupton, which evaluated customer feedback from 420 events between 2022 and 2024.
- Katie Piper
- Pippa Grange
- Susie Wolff
- Floella Benjamin
- Karren Brady
- Toju Duke
- Jill Scott
- Mandy Hickson
- Nicky Moffat
- Malala Yousafzai
1. Katie Piper
Katie Piper is a renowned female empowerment keynote speaker, known for her inspiring personal story and resilience. After surviving a devastating acid attack, she transformed her trauma into a force for good. As the founder of The Katie Piper Foundation, TV presenter, and best-selling author, Katie advocates for individuals with visible differences and promotes personal strength. Her talks, including “The Answer to Happiness,” focus on overcoming adversity, fostering resilience, and finding joy, making her a powerful voice at corporate and charity events.
Official Feedback for Katie Piper:
"Katie was spot on – an inspirational story on achieving triumph over adversity, told with warmth and humour. How Katie can be so compassionate given what she’s been through is remarkable." - Royal Mail
2. Pippa Grange
Pippa Grange is a renowned keynote speaker on gender equality and female empowerment. With a background in psychology and leadership, she has worked in elite sports and corporate settings, advocating for ethical leadership and sustainable performance. Her talks inspire leaders to foster inclusive environments where women can thrive and succeed, making her a powerful voice in the movement for equality.
Pippa Grange’s Official Speaking Topics:
- Culture & Ethics of Sports
- Broadening the Definition of Sporting Success
- Sustaining Best Performances
3. Susie Wolff
Susie Wolff, Managing Director of F1 Academy and former Formula One test driver, is a powerful voice in female empowerment and sports. As a motivational keynote speaker, she shares her remarkable journey from karting champion to pioneering roles in motorsports leadership. Susie encourages women to break barriers, pursue unconventional paths, and succeed in male-dominated fields. Her inspiring message is rooted in her own achievements, making her a compelling speaker for audiences seeking empowerment and change.
Official Testimonial for Susie Wolff:
“She is a very eloquent person, and her stories are exciting and captivating. Susie Wolff represents her views very committed and is a true professional.” - UBS
4. Floella Benjamin
Floella Benjamin is an inspiring keynote speaker known for her dedication to diversity and inclusion. As a pioneering actress, author, and advocate, she overcame adversity as part of the Windrush generation and has used her platform to champion children’s rights and equal opportunities. Her journey from immigrant to a Dame and member of the House of Lords reflects her resilience. Floella motivates audiences with her personal story, emphasising the importance of embracing differences and creating inclusive environments.
Official Testimonial for Floella Benjamin:
"Just to pass on our thanks for yesterday - we had over 2100 people listen to Floella and if the comments I was getting from people through it were anything to go by everybody absolutely love it - and her energy! My goodness can only hope I have that energy in a few years’ time - was also singing Smile all last night too!" - EY
5. Karren Brady
Baroness Karren Brady of Knightsbridge CBE is a powerful female motivational and empowerment speaker, renowned for inspiring audiences with her personal journey and business success. A trailblazer in male-dominated industries, Karren advocates for women in leadership, entrepreneurship, and breaking barriers. Her keynote speeches deliver practical strategies for achieving success, fostering confidence, and creating opportunities for women in business. As a role model, Karren’s talks motivate individuals to overcome challenges and pursue their goals with determination and resilience.
Official Testimonial for Karren Brady:
"Thank you for taking the time to talk to the ladies at Capital One, they found your talk motivating, inspiring and refreshingly honest!" - Capital One
6. Toju Duke
Toju Duke is a renowned motivational and diversity & inclusion keynote speaker with a focus on responsible AI. As the Founder of Diverse AI, she advocates for ethical AI practices, particularly benefiting underrepresented communities. With a decade-long career at Google, Toju has excelled in roles related to AI and program management. Her book, "Building Responsible AI Algorithms," offers practical guidance on mitigating AI risks. Toju’s expertise and commitment to inclusivity make her an impactful speaker on AI and diversity.
Toju Duke’s Official Speaking Topics:
- Thinking Responsibly: The Science Behind Responsible AI Frameworks
- The New Era: Embracing AI Technologies in Marketing
- Building Responsibly in an AI Driven World
7. Jill Scott
Jill Scott MBE is an inspiring female empowerment speaker, drawing on her illustrious 18-year football career, which includes over 150 caps for England's Lionesses. A natural leader, she captained teams and won major tournaments, including the UEFA Women's Euro 2022. Jill’s journey of overcoming challenges, achieving success, and promoting women's football makes her a powerful advocate for resilience and determination. Her motivational speeches empower women to break barriers, pursue their goals, and thrive in any field.
Official Testimonial for Jill Scott MBE:
"We’ve had some great feedback from the local school and employees at the firm who got the opportunity to meet Jill, really appreciated how engaging Jill was with people throughout the day. It seemed like she enjoyed meeting the kids and answering their questions, meeting Steve from AFCB, and even giving some advice to our new women’s team." - JP Morgan
8. Mandy Hickson
Mandy Hickson is a pioneering female keynote speaker, drawing on her remarkable career as one of the first female pilots in the RAF's Frontline Tornado Squadron. With engaging stories of perseverance, overcoming setbacks, and thriving in high-pressure situations, she motivates audiences to achieve their goals. A former combat pilot and author, Mandy captivates with her experiences from flying in hostile environments. She now empowers teams and individuals through her talks, focusing on leadership, resilience, and confidence-building.
Official Testimonial for Mandy Hickson:
"Particularly appreciated the external perspective on overcoming challenges and preparing for them" - Royal Bank of Scotland
9. Nicky Moffat
Nicky Moffat, the highest-ranked woman in the British Armed Forces, is a trailblazer in leadership and gender equality. Her 27-year military career showcased her resilience, strategic insight, and ability to drive transformational change in male-dominated environments. As a keynote speaker, she inspires women to break barriers and lead with confidence. Nicky’s expertise in leadership and personal development empowers individuals and organisations to champion gender equality and create inclusive, high-performing cultures across sectors.
Official Testimonial for Nicky Moffat:
"We booked Nicky to talk at our ‘women in road’ network event. Nicky gave a fantastic talk and really connected with her audience who found her both interesting and thought provoking. She was a great success and feedback after the event was all positive – they loved her!" - The AA
10. Malala Yousafzai
Malala Yousafzai is an inspiring symbol of female empowerment and gender equality. As a survivor of a Taliban attack, she became a global advocate for girls' education, co-founding the Malala Fund to ensure safe, quality education for all. Malala's powerful keynote speeches highlight her journey of resilience and activism, motivating women to fight for their rights. A Nobel Peace Prize laureate, she continues to inspire audiences worldwide, emphasising the importance of education and social justice.
Hire a Gender Equality Keynote Speaker Today!
Hiring a leading gender equality and female motivational keynote speaker through The Motivational Speakers Agency is one of the easiest ways to learn more about how you can support your female counterparts in the workplace.
To do so, simply fill out our online contact form or call us at 0207 0787 876 & one of our dedicated booking agents will be able to assist you.
This blogpost, written by our Senior Content Executive Megan Lupton, features the top 10 gender equality keynote speakers who have received positive, verified customer feedback from over 420 events between 2022 and 2024.
