Speakers
From leading figures in the innovation funding landscape, futurist speakers, happiness professionals and mental health experts, we’re proud to have such an array of talented, insightful speakers as part of our conference line-up. Check back regularly as more speakers are confirmed!
Purusha Gordon
Guinness World Record Breaker Purusha is living proof that ordinary people can achieve extraordinary things, given the tools to develop a positive and resilient mindset.
An ambassador for adventure and cult-status brands like Sweaty Betty, DAME, dryrobe and Finisterre, Purusha is a sought-after public speaker, sharing her story, breathwork and wellness expertise with businesses and schools across the UK.
Purusha transformed her health, wellbeing and self-belief 10 years ago, inspiring her mantra that it’s never too late (or too early!) to make a change, confront our fears and develop an ‘I can and I will’ approach to life.
In 2021, with no prior rowing experience, she started Ocean Sheroes rowing team. Together they went on to break the Guinness World Record for the fastest all-female team of four to row across the Pacific Ocean. For 35 days at sea, Purusha rowed: two hours on, two hours off, 24/7 from San Francisco to Hawaii - enduring sea sickness, acute fatigue, biting winds and biblical storms. To this day, the team maintain it was Purusha’s guidance, strong values, positive mindset and culture of kindness that got them through it all, even managing to shave 15 days off the previous record.
Purusha is unstoppable and a passionate motivational speaker, breathwork practitioner, helping others thrive through her wellbeing business.
Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE
Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE is a recognised and respected thought-leader, voted the most influential woman in tech in the UK of 2020 by Computer Weekly, is featured among the top 50 women in tech, globally, by Forbes Magazine and served as President of the British Science Association from 2022-2023.
She was also the temporary Arithmetician for 60 episodes on Channel 4’s Countdown, the world’s longest-running game show, and serves as the Chancellor of Glasgow Caledonian University, Co-Chair of the Institute for the Future of Work and Chair of UD Music Foundation. Her first book She’s In CTRL was published in September 2022.
In 2017, Anne-Marie was Awarded an MBE for services to young women and STEM sectors. She has been awarded Honorary Doctorates from the Open University, Glasgow Caledonian University, Kent University, Bristol University, Coventry University, Royal Holloway, University of London and Bath University as well as an Honorary Fellowship at Keble College, Oxford. She is a sought-after media commentator with media appearances on Sky News, the BBC and Bloomberg to name but a few.
Dave Keeling
Lead Happiness Consultant, Laughology
Dave is a UK based actor, writer and comedian and has been a Lead Happiness Consultant for Laughology for over 20 years.
He has worked both nationally and internationally within business and educational organisations, and has extensive experience of working in theatre, film and television. His credits include ‘Blood Brothers’ in the West End, ‘London to Brighton’ for film and Downton Abbey, Eastenders and Coronation Street for television.
In the world of corporate business, he works creatively as a Presenter/Host and MC. Dave has fronted a vast array of live shows and has facilitated training programmes with a diverse set of companies such as O2, Adidas, Royal Bank of Scotland, Liverpool Victoria, eBay, BT, and Giff Gaff focusing on change management, teamwork, well-being, presentation skills, growth mindset, communication and creativity.
Dave is the Author of, ‘A Rocket Up Your Class, Invisible Teaching, Laughter’ (part of the Independent Thinking On … Series of books) and has contributed his expertise to the Big Book of Independent Thinking.
His dynamic, quick witted and energetic presence create a unique, inspirational, and entertaining experience wherever he goes.
Richard Lamb
Richard is Programme Manager for KTP at Innovate UK. He took up this role in April 2018, bringing 15 years of knowledge exchange experience from across the private, public, and academic sectors.
As the current custodian of the KTP programme, Richard is responsible for over 800 projects with over 100 knowledge base partners across the UK and has led diversification of the KTP portfolio. Having developed strong international partnerships, KTP is currently operating in Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Qatar, South Africa and Thailand.
Richard’s previous roles encompass experience of both public, private and academic sectors in jobs as varied as regional training Manager for Boots the Chemists, Knowledge Exchange Fellow at the Satellite Applications Catapult, Head of Training and Development in the Police Service, Senior Advisor on Climate Change at the Environment Agency, and Research and Knowledge Exchange Manager with the UK Climate Impacts Programme at Oxford University.
