Top 10 Captivating Awards Hosts for Your Celebratory Event
When it comes to organising an awards ceremony, the right awards host can make all the difference. A skilled awards host can keep the audience engaged, add energy to the event, and ensure that everything runs smoothly. From seasoned television presenters to business moguls, these hosts have the expertise and charisma needed to elevate your event.
Awards evenings are popular events among invitees, credited to the glitz and glamour of occasions like the Oscars, which received over 18 million viewers in 2023. Attendees often come away reinvigorated and excited to reach out to their new network of fellow eventgoers. So, bring the stage lights up and settle in your seats as we present the best awards hosts available to book.
Who are the Top Awards Hosts to Hire?
Jack Hayes has evaluated exclusive poll data collated at 215 awards ceremonies, held between 2023 and April 2025, to make his expert selection of the top 10 awards hosts to hire, below!
- Michelle Visage
- Fiona Bruce
- Kenton Cool
- Sophie Cornish
- Biz Stone
- Kanya King
- Akala
- Derek Redmond
- Dr Ranj Singh
- Steph McGovern
1. Michelle Visage
Co-Host of "The RuPaul Show" & Judge on "RuPaul's Drag Race"
Michelle Visage is a popular addition to awards ceremonies. As a passionate advocate for inclusivity and a celebrity in her own right, she is often booked to present accolades at LGBTQ+ and women’s awards. She is the perfect host for all ceremonies, where she leaves audiences starstruck.
With her extensive experience as an award-winning LGBT+ advocate, Michelle is often called upon to share her insights into how we can create a more inclusive world. Her unique ability to connect with audiences makes her an excellent choice for awards ceremonies and events.
Official Testimonial for Michelle:
"Can you please pass on MASSIVE thanks to her. If you could let her know the reception has been INCREDIBLE. One comment was 'I’m going to log off this call and conquer the world!'… She inspired so many." – AMEX
2. Fiona Bruce
BBC News Presenter & Presenter of "Antiques Roadshow"
One of the biggest names in journalism, Fiona Bruce is an award-winning presenter, newsreader, and journalist. As the first female newsreader on News at 10, she has been the face of BBC News for over two decades and was named the Newscaster of the Year on three occasions by the Television and Radio Industry Club.
Renowned for her approachable personality and eloquent presenting skills, the insightful Fiona Bruce is available to hire as a host at your next awards ceremony. No stranger to sensitive conversations, she can present a wide range of topics, including politics and current events.
Official Testimonial for Fiona:
"Fiona was superb. Professional, friendly and approachable. She researched the winners that she had to interview and made everyone feel much at ease on the big stage. Comments are that we should use her again next year!! She was by far the best presenter we have ever had at CMYA." - Englemere Limited
3. Kenton Cool
Mountaineer Who Summited Mount Everest 18 Times
An avid adventurer, Kenton Cool has successfully conquered Mount Everest 14 times. Kenton was a passionate climber throughout his life, joining the British Association of Mountain Guides and recently working alongside his climbing partner to become the first people to cross Lhotse, Everest, and Nuptse without returning to base camp.
Kenton’s adventuring taught him valuable skills that he regularly relates to life in the corporate world. His knowledge of team-building and leadership is second-to-none, and his ability to deliver this knowledge in a captivating blend of adventure stories and insight makes Kenton a role model at award ceremonies.
Official Testimonial for Kenton:
"Kenton was superb! His talk was totally inspiring and motivating and his stories and footage of his summit trips were very impactful. He is so driven and passionate about what he does and this clearly came across to the team and they could relate to many of his examples of challenges he has overcome. Absolutely brilliant and would definitely recommend to others!" - Meryem, Head of Strategy & Planning, Lloyds TSB
4. Sophie Cornish
Co-Founder of Notonthehighstreet.com
As the co-founder of notonthehighstreet.com, Sophie Cornish is the prime example of an innovative businessperson who spotted a gap in the market and successfully filled it. Now working with over 5,000 small business partners and selling over 100,000 products, her entrepreneurial prowess has turned her kitchen table business idea into a multi-million-pound company.
Sophie now celebrates the success of other businesspeople as an awards host. Her presentation skills are commended for their honesty and authenticity, driven by Sophie's passion for business success. Nominees will be star-struck by this leading authority on business success.
5. Biz Stone
Co-Founder of Twitter
Co-founder of social media giant Twitter, Biz Stone’s exceptional creative skills enabled him to challenge the popular social media platforms of the time. Inspired by his experience working for Google as a senior specialist, in 2006, Biz founded Twitter alongside Jack Dorsey.
The microblogging and social networking platform was an immediate hit, showcasing Biz’s creative genius. This experience makes Biz an authoritative awards host, able to recognise the fantastic achievements of future innovators and thought leaders at your ceremony.
Official Testimonial for Biz:
"Biz's speech really resonated with the nearly 13,000 attendees. It truly became what we wanted it to be- an intelligent and honest dialogue about the role and impact technology plays in how society engages and connects." - Microsoft
6. Kanya King
Founder of the MOBO Awards
Best known for founding the internationally recognised MOBO Awards, Kanya King is a highly influential figure. Her inspirational drive for social change led Kanya to develop a platform to provide a more diverse and inclusive foundation for talent to grow.
Regarded as one of the most inspiring female figures in the business sector, Kanya has won multiple awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award. What better host to hire for your awards ceremony than the mastermind behind one of music’s greatest events?
Official Testimonial for Kanya:
"Everyone has been well and truly blown away by Kanya today, feedback that it was the best talk that they've ever been to in Simply Business, and I can only echo that feedback. Kanya truly captivated the entire audience and I'm so thankful to have had Kanya speak today." - Serena, TechOps Analyst, Simply Business
7. Akala
Founder of The Hip Hop Shakespeare Company
Beginning his career in the music industry in 2003, Akala has since gained a fierce following. Akala founded the Hip Hop Shakespeare Company in 2009, which gave young people a platform to showcase their talents alongside other distinguished artists.
He is highly influential, regarded as a leading Black Lives Matter Movement activist, and often gives talks to inspire future generations. A real role model, Akala is a dynamic awards host focused on celebrating his audience's many diverse achievements, particularly in music and DEI.
Official Testimonial for Akala:
"Completely engaging, and the breadth and depth of his knowledge was amazing. He was a resounding hit." - Oxford Brookes University
8. Derek Redmond
4x400m Relay European Champion & Former British 400m Record-Holder
Derek Redmond is known for his inspiring story of perseverance in the face of adversity. Having been plagued with injuries throughout his career, his most notable moment was at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, where he persevered through pain and limped over the finish line.
Since his retirement, Derek has focused on motivating others with his story and life lessons, offering corporate workshops to improve employee wellbeing. He has also become a popular awards host, particularly for sports awards ceremonies, where he honours young, up-and-coming athletes.
Official Testimonial for Derek:
"Derek was an absolute delight! So professional, helpful and entertaining- honestly, I could not believe how pleasant he was to work with. Sometimes it feels as if the speaker is just there to do the slot and not a second more but that was definitely not the case with Derek. He was a wonderful guest, speaker and host. Highly, highly recommend." - Media Nett
9. Dr Ranj Singh
Presenter of CBeebies "Get Well Soon" & Children's BAFTA Award Recipient
Celebrity health expert Dr Ranj Singh has become a staple of British television for several years. As a specialist in Paediatric Emergency Medicine and an NHS clinician, he burst onto TV screens in the award-winning Get Well Soon. Today, Dr Ranj is a popular awards host for healthcare events.
Dr Ranj is also an author and passionate advocate for the LGBT+ community, advocating for representation and inclusive education. Now booked as a speaker and awards host for all manner of events, an appearance from this daytime TV icon is guaranteed to blow your audience away.
Official Testimonial for Ranj:
"Ranj but he was a brilliant recommendation, I knew he’d be good but he was absolutely perfect and it was such an inspiring and upbeat hour. Definite favourite of the whole of our Pride Season, so thank you." - Charlotte, Pride Committee Member, Telefónica
10. Steph McGovern
Presenter of "Steph's Packed Lunch"
Steph McGovern is a versatile presenter who has hosted a variety of programmes and news broadcasts for the likes of the BBC and Channel 4. With a diverse career behind her, Steph is now regularly booked to engage audiences at awards ceremonies across the world.
She is revered for her expertise and her personable character, making her the perfect addition to events and awards ceremonies. A natural on stage, Steph has earned several recommendations from clients, with her knowledge on topical subjects making her an expert host.
Official Testimonial for Steph:
"She was both professional and approachable and the audience loved her. Fantastic value and I would not hesitate to recommend her." - Chartered Institute of Building
Hire the Perfect Awards Ceremony Host Today!
Is your next award host featured in this list? If so, contact a booking agent to secure them for your event. Don’t worry if you have someone else in mind, our network of speakers includes thousands of award hosts, so get in touch to discuss your requirements.
This exclusive article on the top awards ceremony hosts to hire was written by Jack Hayes, utilising exclusive poll data collated at 215 awards ceremonies, held between 2023 and April 2025.
