Chris Hirst is a change agent, widely recognized as an innovative and inspirational leader. After more than a decade in CEO positions, he has a proven track record of leading transformation – guiding his businesses to deliver reputational change, growth and a culture of enduring success.

Chris was appointed Global CEO, Havas Creative in January 2019. As CEO, he leads more than 8,000 people across all Havas’ global territories.

Chris went to his local state secondary school in Northumberland, and is a graduate of Brasenose College Oxford (MEng Engineering Science) and Harvard Business School. After an apprenticeship at Pilkington Glass in St Helens, he embarked on (an unlikely) career in advertising.

In May 2019, his book, No Bullsh*t Leadership: Why the World Needs More Everyday Leaders and Why That Leader is You, was published by Profile Books. In it, Chris explores his theory that leadership is not some special club, open only to elites, nor a gold star given to those with fancy titles and expensive degrees.

Based on his hard-won experience this smart, engaging book delivers a step-by-step working manual on how to lead – for anyone. Full of simple and direct approaches, it demystifies an over-analysed subject to get to the heart of modern leadership: the life-changing, career-transforming power to get stuff done.

It is has been a WH Smiths No.1 best-seller for over 12 months and is available around the world. It was named UK Business Book of the Year in 2020.

Chris is a UK management board member at Vivendi and a trustee of the MOBO Foundation. He also holds a number of non-exec positions within the startup community.

He is a regular commentator and contributor in press and broadcast including the Evening Standard, Financial Times, BBC, Sky News, CNBC, ITV News, The Daily Mail, BBC Radio 5Live and BBC Radio 4, and is also the host of the No Bullsh*t Leadership podcast created in partnership with Intelligence Squared.

Leanne Hamley is an experienced leader and business coach specialising in behavioural change, leadership development and organisational culture. Having worked across multiple sectors, industries and countries, she understands what makes people and organisations thrive. She is the founder of Culture Creator, a business designed to help organisations create authentic cultures that put the wellbeing of their people at the heart of the business and where values have real meaning and purpose. Leanne who is a total book geek also recently co-founded ‘Wot the Book!’ — a podcast series and full membership subscription for personal and leadership development.

Kate’s career in learning and development spans over 2 decades and has fulfilled business management and senior roles responsible for; business strategy, finance, client experience, HR and People Management.
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It is her passion for people and their personal and professional development that drives her. In 2017, she embarked on a degree in psychology, enabling her to further progress her understanding of the human mind and the science behind personal and professional growth.
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In February 2020 Kate completed a management buy out of Pti Worldwide, a training and development organisation focused on Leadership and Management development, and assumed the role of People and Performance Director. Later that year, fuelled by her passion for books, she co-founded ‘Wot the Book!’ – a podcast series and full membership subscription for personal and leadership development.