Keynote Topics

Authenticity & Success:
Creating An Exceptional Culture 

Some teams produce great results while others don’t, so what is the secret ingredient? Allowing people to be their real selves at work is crucial.

Countless surveys and research studies show that a happy and diverse workforce leads to greater productivity, creativity and success. How do you create a culture where people can bring themselves to work? Where people don’t feel the need to hide who they really are to fit in with a perceived mainstream? How do you go about creating an Avengers Assemble in your organisation?


Unlocking & Understanding:
The Customer

The secret to competitive advantage is rooted in understanding people. However, consumers today are different.

With daily lives influenced by the changes occurring in technology, changes are dynamic and constant. Consumer habits are therefore evolving all the time. We want things faster, more tailored and on our terms. As a business, how do you meet these consumer demands? How do you plan for an ever-shifting future?

 In this talk, we will examine modern British tastes and values, and how the media landscape has evolved due to technological advancement and how it has influenced consumer behaviour. Finally, we look at some of the ways in which businesses can harness these changes to stay ahead of the game, find new ways of working and future-proof their business.


World Class Leadership:
What does that mean?

Are you a leader or a manager? What is the difference? How do you get others to follow and believe in your goals and method?

In this keynote, we explore what leadership means in the 21st century, and why adapting your style to suit different team members is crucial to creating high performance wherever you go. We examine the traits of some of the most successful managers in business today, their leadership style, and the result this has on their organisations.


Future-Proofing your Business
In the 21st Century

Celebrate difference. Look for it, champion it and nurture it. Modern Britain is a complicated mix of people, and if the consumer economy had a gender it would be female….

Diversity and inclusion are the buzzwords in business today, but this is not anything new, nor is it an HR tick box exercise. It is simply about ensuring success and future proofing your business. In this keynote we look at the importance of knowing your audience and their value, and tips and tools on how to reflect them in your own organisation through recruitment and retention. Talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. How can businesses create opportunity? Finally, we look at how reframing the conversation around empathetic leadership could lead to greater change.


Personal Branding:
Why It’s A Must

Why does personal branding matter to your career…

Just as great branding helps a product or service stand out and increase market share, a personal brand allows you to highlight your value and is a key tool for career advancement. In this workshop we investigate how to optimise personal brand, and consider how it is communicated and perceived.  

What Clients Said…

  • Karen Blackett CBE delivered a truly powerful and thought-provoking keynote at the IoIC Festival, highlighting the vital role of internal communication in shaping trusted, high-performing organisations. Her message underscored the importance of building environments where people feel connected, valued, and empowered to thrive — reminding us that communication is not just a function, but a force for meaningful culture and change. Karen’s session was eloquent, impactful, and grounded in authenticity.

    IoIC Festival

  • “Karen shared insights from her time at companies including Diageo and Creative UK about driving business growth through value creation, team leadership, and building high-performing work cultures. Thank you, Karen, for your invaluable perspective!”

    Evercore

  • “In a world of rapid change, Karen reminded us that leading with empathy and agility isn’t just effective, it’s essential. Thank you for your extremely inspiring talk.”

    TechComms

  • “One of the most inspiring presentations I have seen in many years…the themes of fairness, equality and diversity were extremely relevant to our own special mission.”

    Grapevine

  • “When she talks, everyone listens!”

    Windsor Leadership

Speaker enquiry?

Karen is represented by Speaking Office. To discuss Karen’s availalbity please contact:

Andrew Hickman | O75384 38455 | andrew@speakingoffice.com