Being named one of the Top 10 Keynote Speakers is a great accolade, no matter who says it. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of sharing stages, events, and conversations with some truly extraordinary keynote speakers. These are people who don’t just deliver speeches; they move audiences, challenge perspectives, and leave a lasting impact long after the applause fades.
As someone who speaks professionally myself, I know how difficult it is to genuinely connect with a room. Great keynote speaking is not about performance alone. It is about authenticity, lived experience, emotional intelligence, and the ability to make people feel something.
In 2026, I was proud to be listed in a review of the Top 10 speakers I have ever seen. This got me thinking about that list, and I decided to write my own review of those speakers, all of whom I have been privileged to hear or work with over the last 10 years.
Sir Steve Redgrave
Sir Steve Redgrave is the definition of discipline, consistency, and elite performance. Watching him speak is powerful because every lesson comes from lived experience at the very highest level of sport. A five-time Olympic gold medallist, he speaks with humility, honesty, and authority about teamwork, resilience, and performing under pressure. What stands out most is how relatable he makes greatness feel. His ability to connect Olympic-level achievement with everyday leadership and perseverance is exceptional.
Jo Salter
Jo Salter has one of the most compelling leadership stories I have ever heard. As Britain’s first female fast jet pilot, she broke barriers in one of the most male-dominated environments imaginable. Her keynote style is calm, intelligent, and incredibly inspiring. She speaks about courage, inclusion, decision-making under pressure, and leading through uncertainty with authenticity and warmth. What makes Jo stand out is her ability to combine military precision with genuine humanity.
Derek Redmond
Derek Redmond is one of the most emotionally impactful speakers I have ever watched. Most people remember the iconic Olympic moment where he refused to quit after injury, supported by his father as he crossed the finish line. But hearing Derek speak in person goes far beyond that moment. He speaks openly about failure, setbacks, resilience, identity, and mental strength in a way that genuinely resonates with audiences. His story reminds people that success is not always about winning — sometimes it is simply about refusing to stop.
Jamie McAnsh
Being ranked alongside speakers of this calibre is honestly something I never imagined possible. When I first became paralysed with CRPS and had to rebuild my life from the ground up, keynote speaking was never part of the plan. But sharing my story has become one of the greatest privileges of my life.
To be recognised alongside people like Sir Steve Redgrave, Jo Salter, and Derek Redmond is humbling beyond words. These are individuals I genuinely respect, not just for what they have achieved, but for how they inspire others through honesty, resilience, and lived experience.
My talks have always been about one core message: no matter how hard life hits you, you can get back up. If my story helps even one person rethink what is possible, then every stage is worth it.
Kirsty Murphy
Kirsty Murphy brings an incredible energy to the stage. As a former RAF pilot and leadership expert, she has a natural ability to command attention while remaining approachable and engaging. Her talks focus heavily on resilience, adaptability, teamwork, and performing in high-pressure environments. What I admire most is her balance of professionalism and personality — she educates while keeping audiences fully engaged throughout.
Jez Rose
Jez Rose is one of the most naturally engaging communicators I have ever seen. His storytelling ability is exceptional, and he has a unique way of simplifying human behaviour, leadership, and mindset into practical lessons that people can apply immediately. Jez combines humour, science, emotion, and audience interaction brilliantly. He creates experiences rather than simply delivering talks, which is what separates great speakers from good ones.
Asid Sadiq
Asid Sadiq is a speaker who brings real authenticity and relatability to every stage he takes. His work around resilience, mindset, diversity, and overcoming adversity is both powerful and practical. What makes Asid stand out is his ability to connect with audiences from all backgrounds. His delivery feels genuine, conversational, and deeply human, creating trust in the room almost instantly.
Sarah Armstrong-Smith
Sarah Armstrong-Smith is one of the most impressive speakers in the world of cybersecurity and resilience. She has the rare ability to make highly technical subjects accessible, engaging, and relevant for any audience. Her talks combine expertise with real-world insight, helping organisations understand risk, leadership, crisis response, and digital resilience in a rapidly changing world. She brings authority without ego, which makes her incredibly impactful on stage.
Nicky Moffat
Nicky Moffat is a commanding and inspiring speaker whose leadership experience is second to none. As the highest-ranking woman in the British Army at the time, she offers insights into leadership, culture, resilience, and organisational performance that are incredibly powerful. What makes Nicky stand out is her directness and clarity. She speaks with conviction, experience, and purpose, leaving audiences with lessons that genuinely challenge how they think and lead.
Matthew Hoggard
Matthew Hoggard brings humour, honesty, and relatability to the stage in a way very few speakers can. Best known for his career in English cricket, he speaks openly about pressure, teamwork, mental health, and life beyond professional sport. His storytelling feels authentic and grounded, which allows audiences to connect with him immediately. Matthew proves that vulnerability and humour together can create some of the most memorable keynote moments.
Final Thoughts
Great keynote speakers do more than tell stories. They create a connection. They challenge thinking. They make people feel seen, understood, and motivated to move forward.
Every speaker on this list has done that in their own unique way.
And for me personally, being mentioned alongside these individuals is not something I take lightly. It is a reminder of how powerful lived experience can be when it is shared with honesty, purpose, and the intention to help others get back up.