Rory Stewart
Academic, Former Politician & Diplomat, The Rest is Politics
Where experience does the talking
The UK’s outstanding speaker bureau. Delivering world class talent to inspire your audience.
We’ve spent 36 years listening to your priorities, understanding your audiences and building up our relationships, to find you the very best for the occasion.
Our black book
We've built an extensive, global network of talent and a deep understanding of each speaker’s relevance, content, and performance. From established names to niche experts and tomorrow's superstars, we leverage our unparalleled relationships.
Your trusted advisers
JLA provides reliable, timely, and bespoke advice. Our know-how has been built over decades, meaning we are ready to understand your organisation, brief, and audience for a specific event.
By your side
A dedicated team at your side from first brief to final thank-you. We handle sourcing, contracts, travel, tech checks, last-minute changes and debriefs, giving you more time and less to worry about.
Trusted by leading companies worldwide
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How we work
A dedicated expert with you at every step. From initial enquiry to final debrief.
Tell us about your event and we’ll come back with ideas tailored to you. We can find speakers deeply involved in their subject who offer insight, innovation, charisma and humour.
A dedicated account manager will get to know your brief, your audience and your culture, then come back with bespoke options, including speakers we represent who never appear on the site.
We’ll also tell you when someone isn’t right for your room. This kind of candour is rare, but we think it matters.
browse by topic
- Adventure & Exploration Speakers
- AI & Technology Speakers
- Business Speakers
- Comedy & Entertainment Speakers
- Diversity & Inclusion Speakers
- Economy Speakers
- Future Trends Speakers
- Geopolitics Speakers
- Innovation & Creativity Speakers
- Leadership Speakers
- Mental Health & Wellbeing Speakers
- Motivation & Resilience Speakers
- Performers
- Presenters
- Science & Health Speakers
- Sport Speakers
- Sustainability & ESG Speakers
“It was a real pleasure working with JLA. The process for booking a speaker and the response times in terms of questions and queries that we had was excellent. The process was very smooth and easy, one less headache when organising a large event!”
"JLA's account manager was extremely attentive and responsive in the lead up to this event. Offering a wide selection of speaker choices and a quick turnaround when the decision was made."
"We received good/appropriate suggestions for a speaker, particularly in light of changes to our budget. Great support and response times. It was very much appreciated that JLA attended the on-site rehearsal."
“The service we received from JLA was excellent, it has taken quite some time to find someone who fitted our budget and was available and JLA worked very hard to help us be able to put on this event.”
Start an enquiry with us today
Whether you know who you want, or you’re starting from scratch, we can help. We understand who’s right for you and why. Let’s begin the conversation.
Have further questions?
We’re here to answer all your questions and help you find the perfect speaker for your event. Give us a call today.
+44 (0)20 7907 2800"*" indicates required fields
Frequently Asked Questions
What do you base your recommendations on?
We only provide honest advice and never recommend speakers we can’t stand behind. Before recommending options for a speaker, presenter or performer, we will discuss your expectations, event goals, audience, budget and theme.
We see and meet dozens of speakers and performers every month, and with four decades of experience placing speakers and artists in every type of event possible, all over the world, and with details of over 12,000 speakers on our database, we are confident we will be able to recommend the best fit for you.
After all, our network is built on genuine, long-term relationships. Contact us today for advice about your next event.
What is the benefit of working with JLA?
JLA saves you time, offers more options, and ensures a seamless process. We provide easy access to a wide range of talent and offer expert recommendations and insights tailored to your event’s goals and budget. We also manage all negotiations, contracts, briefing and logistics, minimising the risk of any issues. We are also one of the biggest procurers of talent globally, giving you unrivalled buying power, alongside a team that has accumulated over 200 years of combined experience.
JLA researches, shortlists and negotiates on your behalf. We take the guess-work out of knowing who might be right, how to contact them and what their fee might be, taking the risk out of knowing whether a speaker will work for your brief and audience. We provide expertise in handling talent, knowing what to expect, communicating important details, and taking the stress out of this crucial, highly visible element of your event.
It’s why 96% of our clients come back to us – we provide a low-friction, efficient route to a better event.
What makes a good Conference Speaker?
Foremost is their ability to communicate insights, inspiration and understanding to any audience. The best guest conference speakers bring to life their experiences and expertise in a way that is memorable and meaningful. They draw parallels an audience immediately understands and can apply to their world.
With a combination of experience, research and instinct, they translate the challenges an audience faces and shares knowledge and ideas that will inform, motivate and change.
Will I get to brief the Keynote Speaker or Presenter I have booked?
Yes, and we consider the briefing call one of the most important parts of the entire process.
Once your speaker is booked, your JLA account manager will arrange a dedicated pre-event call to align on your audience, objectives and key themes. We’ll prepare a written brief in advance and manage all communication through to the event itself.
We stay involved right through to the day, so you’re never left chasing information or wondering what’s been agreed. You can read more on our process here.
How do I know a speaker or event host will work in my conference?
Before recommending speaker or host options, we will discuss your expectations, event goals, audience, budget and theme. We cover everything from the dynamics of the room to what success looks like for you. Learn more about JLA here.
Using our years of industry experience, knowledge and insight of speakers and hosts, we will guide you in selecting the right person. We see hundreds of speakers and hosts in person, every year, and we talk regularly to many more.
In some cases we may be able to discuss a brief directly with someone before any formal commitment is made. We will discuss the brief for the speaker/host, and arrange a pre-event briefing call to align expectations and ensure their talk and presentation style is relevant and impactful.