The Top 12 Teambuilding Keynote Speakers to Hire in 2025
Businesses that invest in teambuilding often benefit from a more engaged workforce, earning up to 2.5 times more than their less engaged competitors. Our keynote speakers specialise in delivering powerful, practical insights that strengthen team dynamics, improve collaboration, and drive lasting performance—making them the ideal choice for your next event.
What Are the Perks of Teambuilding in the Workplace?
Team building in the workplace strengthens bonds between colleagues, leading to better collaboration and improved results. It creates a cohesive environment where employees share a common focus, boosting morale and motivation. When teams connect on a personal level, they solve problems more effectively and adapt more easily to change. Research from the University of Warwick shows that happier employees are around 12% more productive. Teambuilding activities also help foster a shared culture, inspiring individuals to contribute towards collective success. Ultimately, a connected and motivated workforce enhances efficiency, engagement, and overall organisational performance.
Source: The Guardian / University of Warwick
Who are the Top 12 Teambuilding Keynote Speakers to Hire in 2025?
Utilising exclusive event poll data from over 352 teambuilding events between 2023 and 2024, Roxy Farthing has provided her official Top 12 Teambuilding Keynote Speakers to Hire in 2025!
- Scotty Mills
- John Amaechi
- Christian Horner
- Sir Steve Redgrave
- Ollie Ollerton
- Derek Redmond
- Ann Daniels
- Sir Ian McGeechan
- Pippa Grange
- Ant Middleton
- Melanie Marshall
- Justin Hughes
1. Scotty Mills
Former Royal Marine Officer
Scotty Mills is a former Royal Marine with 32 years of service, rising to become the highest-ranking Black Officer in the Corps’ history. His career spanned critical roles, from Media Operations Officer to Head of Physical Training and Performance, each demanding exceptional teamwork, resilience, and leadership under pressure. Having led elite units across the globe, he now shares his insights as an executive coach and keynote speaker. Recognised as an Olympic Flag bearer and ‘Most Inspiring Serviceman’, Scotty brings unparalleled experience and credibility—making him the ideal choice for any organisation seeking to strengthen their teamwork through teambuilding.
Official Testimonial for Scotty Mills:
"Scotty Mills has inspired me as a Leader and had a big impact on what I’ve done over the last couple of years." – Gareth Southgate OBE, England Football Manager
2. John Amaechi
Former NBA Player, Founder & CEO of APS Intelligence Ltd
John Amaechi OBE is a distinguished expert in teambuilding, blending elite sporting experience with deep psychological insight. As a former NBA player turned renowned organisational psychologist, he brings a unique perspective on leadership, adaptability, and high performance. Founder of APS Intelligence and a Chartered Scientist, John combines evidence-based methods with compelling storytelling. His work across global organisations and advisory boards reflects his dedication to inclusive, effective teamwork. With a proven track record, captivating presence, and a rare blend of credibility and relatability, John is the ideal speaker for events seeking to inspire, educate, and transform how teams think, work, and thrive.
Official Testimonial for John Amaechi:
"John Amaechi spoke at our national sales meeting and even though salespeople are notorious for being quite cynical and hard to impress, John had an amazing impact on us all! He is a very interesting and thought-provoking person and left us all feeling very motivated. His honesty and integrity was a breath of fresh air!" – Toshiba UK
3. Christian Horner
Former Formula 2 Racing Driver, CEO & Team Principal for Red Bull Racing Formula 1 Team
Christian Horner is a proven expert in teambuilding, drawing from a remarkable journey through motorsport. From racing to founding his own team, Arden, in Formula 3000 with limited resources, he demonstrated vision, leadership, and resilience. His ability to inspire and build high-performing teams led to his appointment as Red Bull Racing’s Team Principal, where he became the youngest ever in Formula 1. Under his leadership, Red Bull achieved multiple championship victories, including the 2021 Drivers’ Title. His deep understanding of collaboration, strategy, and motivation makes him an outstanding and inspiring choice as a speaker on teambuilding.
Official Testimonial for Christian Horner:
“He had great stories to share, it was really engaging.” – Goldman Sachs
4. Sir Steve Redgrave
Legendary British Rower, Five-Time Olympic Gold Medallist
Sir Steve Redgrave is one of the world’s most iconic Olympians, having won five consecutive gold medals between 1984 and 2000. Competing alongside teammates such as Matthew Pinsent and James Cracknell, Steve exemplifies the power of teamwork, resilience, and unity. Battling illness throughout his career, he still performed at the highest level for nearly two decades. Knighted for his dedication to sport, he holds MBE and CBE honours. His deep understanding of perseverance, collaboration, and team success makes him an ideal speaker on teambuilding—an inspiring figure who motivates audiences with authentic experience and proven excellence under pressure.
Official Testimonial for Sir Steve Redgrave:
"Steve was fantastic! He went down an absolute storm - he was the highlight of the conference. His speech was very appropriate to the event and he stayed around and took photos with the attendees. He was a really nice guy and very easy to work with." – Mars Inc
5. Ollie Ollerton
Former UK Special Forces Soldier & Former Directing Staff on Channel 4’s SAS: Who Dares Wins
Ollie Ollerton is a renowned expert on teambuilding and teamwork, drawing on his elite military background as a former Special Boat Service operative and Royal Marine Commando. Having led teams in extreme, high-pressure environments, Ollie understands the core principles of resilience, peak performance, and unity. As the founder of several businesses, including BREAK-POINT, he now translates these skills into powerful, actionable strategies for corporate teams. Coupled with his media presence on SAS: Who Dares Wins and his personal journey overcoming adversity, Ollie delivers engaging, high-impact talks that inspire teams to unlock their full potential and perform at their best.
Official Testimonial for Ollie Ollerton:
"Ollie was amazing! It touched quite a few people, to be honest, and people definitely seemed more positive afterwards, myself being one of them. It was an inspiring speech and the app has landed well. The humorous bits were a nice touch." – Amy, Head of Marketing & Events, MKC Wealth
6. Ant Middleton
Former UK Special Forces Soldier, Former Chief Instructor on SAS: Who Dares Wins & No.1 Bestselling Author of “The Wall” & “First Man In”
Ant Middleton has firsthand experience leading teams in some of the world’s toughest environments, bringing unparalleled insight into teambuilding. Drawing from years of elite military service in the Royal Marines, 9 Parachute Squadron, and Special Boat Services, his leadership roles, extreme expeditions, and high-stakes missions have tested and proven his ability to build trust, resilience, and unity under pressure. As Chief Instructor on SAS: Who Dares Wins and bestselling author of leadership-focused books, Ant offers authentic, hard-earned insights into high-performance teams. His compelling presence makes him an exceptional speaker for inspiring stronger, more effective teams.
Official Testimonial for Ant Middleton:
"The event went really well and Ant was fabulous, such a positive and inspiring talk which brought so much value to everyone. The atmosphere was really engaging and a huge success. A fabulous day at our Millionaire Mastermind event, hosted by Joseph Valente at The Gherkin with special guest, Ant Middleton, the most positive, inspiring and amazing talk. He captured everyone with his life adventures and gave huge value, instilling the importance of mental wellbeing, determination and teamwork. A truly inspiring guest speaker who delivered the most inspiring message for our guests to take away and use this mindset daily to make a difference." – Sadie, Executive Assistant/HR Office Manager, Trade Mastermind
7. Derek Redmond
World Champion Four-Time 400m Relay Gold Medallist, Former British 400m Record Holder
Derek Redmond brings unparalleled insight to his audiences, shaped by a career at the highest levels of sport and business. A former British 400m record holder and Olympian, he is globally recognised for his courageous 1992 Olympic finish, a lasting symbol of determination and support. Beyond athletics, Derek played professional basketball and held senior leadership roles at UK Athletics and Thomas International. His expertise in high performance, leadership, and resilience, combined with his engaging storytelling style, has inspired audiences in over 40 countries. Derek is an ideal speaker for organisations seeking to build stronger, more motivated and cohesive teams.
Official Testimonial for Derek Redmond:
"Derek provided some valuable insights into team building/leadership by expressing them in a sporting context. His delivery was professional, funny, honest and extremely engaging. Furthermore, whilst off the stage as well as on, he was very personable and endeared himself to everyone in the team." – Lloyds Bank
8. Ann Daniels
British Polar Explorer, First Woman to Reach the North & South Poles as Part of All-Women Teams, Guinness World Record Holder
Ann Daniels is a world-renowned explorer whose unparalleled experiences make her an authority on teambuilding. As the first woman to ski to both poles with all-female teams, and leader of 14 polar expeditions, she has thrived in extreme environments where only unity, planning, and trust ensured survival. Her leadership of the Catlin Arctic surveys showcases her ability to build cohesive, high-performing teams in life-threatening conditions. As a motivational speaker, Ann translates these hard-earned lessons into captivating, actionable insights. With clients like Disney and IBM, her powerful storytelling inspires resilience, leadership, and collaboration—making her an exceptional choice for any team-focused event.
Official Testimonial for Ann Daniels:
“The best speaker we’ve had. She was motivational and relevant to the current challenges we face in the workplace today. She inspired us all to strive to achieve so much more, individually and together as a team.” – Disney
9. Sir Ian McGeechan
Legendary Former Rugby Union Player & Coach, Played for Headingley RFC, Guided Scotland to Victory & Inducted into Scottish Sports Hall of Fame
Sir Ian McGeechan is widely regarded as an expert on teambuilding due to his exceptional career as a rugby player and coach, leading Scotland and the British & Irish Lions to historic successes. His deep understanding of leadership, strategy, and resilience has earned him respect both on and off the field. As a speaker, he translates high-performance sporting lessons into actionable insights for business and personal growth. Known for inspiring storytelling and practical wisdom, he motivates teams to embrace collaboration and excel under pressure. His proven track record makes him an ideal choice for organisations seeking to enhance teamwork and leadership.
Official Testimonial for Sir Ian McGeechan:
"Ian was a great speaker. Everyone really enjoyed hearing from him. He was very accommodating, nothing was too much trouble. He spoke about teamwork and collaboration, and it was entirely relevant for us. We are a small firm and his message of getting the basics right was a great success! Many thanks for your help along the way. Much appreciated.” – John, Dalmore
10. Pippa Grange
Author of “Fear Less” & Founder of Blue Stone Edge
Pippa Grange is a leading expert in how teambuilding enables teams to thrive, with a distinguished career in elite sport and corporate leadership. Her roles with the AFL, Cotton On Group, and The Football Association highlight her ability to drive ethical, high-performing team cultures. Founder of Bluestone Edge and author of acclaimed books on leadership, Pippa combines academic rigour with real-world experience. With a doctorate in applied psychology and deep insight into human behaviour, she offers practical, inspiring strategies for building cohesive, resilient teams. As a speaker, she delivers powerful, engaging talks that redefine success through collaboration, trust, and ethical leadership.
11. Melanie Marshall
British Former Swimmer & Head Coach at Loughborough National Swimming Centre
Melanie Marshall MBE has enjoyed a successful career as both an elite athlete and world-class coach. As a former Olympian and Britain’s second most decorated female swimmer, she understands high performance under pressure. Her coaching success, most notably guiding Adam Peaty from age 12 to Olympic glory, showcases her ability to nurture talent and build winning teams. Recognised with an MBE and named International Coach of the Year, Melanie is an inspiring speaker who shares powerful lessons on leadership, resilience, and collaboration—making her the perfect choice for any event focused on team success.
12. Justin Hughes
Former Fighter Pilot & Executive Officer of the Red Arrows
Justin Hughes boasts 12 years of elite military experience as a Royal Air Force Fighter Pilot and Executive Officer of the Red Arrows. Having led high-pressure operations and over 250 flying displays, Justin brings unparalleled insight into decision-making, operational excellence, and leadership. Since leaving the forces, he has advised global businesses, authored a respected book on high-performance teams, and spoken alongside leaders like Sir Richard Branson. Trusted by major clients across sectors, Justin combines real-world experience with strategic expertise, making him an exceptional choice for speaking engagements on teamwork and organisational success.
Official Testimonial for Justin Hughes:
"Brilliantly conveyed the sense of camaraderie, dedication and commitment to sheer hard work that are requisite attributes for success." – Northern Ireland Aerospace Consortium
Book a Teambuilding Expert for your Event Today!
To hire one of the teambuilding expert speakers featured in this post, or any of the motivational speakers featured on our website, simply contact us today by filling in our online contact form or by calling one of our dedicated booking agents on 0207 0787 876.
This exclusive blog post was written by Roxy Farthing, who has accumulated the official data and client feedback from 352 events and conferences from 2022 to 2024.
