13 Best After Dinner Speakers For Corporate Events
28 September 2026
From sporting legends and much-loved actors to broadcasters, comedians and adventurers, meet 13 of the best after dinner speakers for corporate events.
Once dinner has been served and the plates have been cleared, your several hundred guests are wondering what will happen next. That’s where the best after dinner speakers come in. They’ll lift the energy after a long meal, hold the attention of a room, and send guests home with a story they’ll still be discussing the next morning.
That story might come from a World Cup dressing room, a film set, the corridors of Westminster, the summit of a mountain or a moment that changed somebody’s life completely. What matters is that the speaker knows how to read the room and tell it well.
These are 13 of the best after dinner speakers we recommend for corporate events, awards ceremonies, gala dinners and fundraising evenings.
You can also explore our wider selection of corporate speakers and entertainment or send us your brief for a shortlist built around your audience.
What Is An After Dinner Speaker?
An after dinner speaker is a guest who takes to the stage once the meal has finished, usually to entertain the room through their life stories.
Unlike a business keynote, the speech doesn’t always need a long list of practical takeaways. The audience has already had a full evening, so this isn’t the moment for a lecture. That doesn’t mean the content has to be lighthearted. Some of the most memorable after dinner speeches explore deep topics, but they do it through conversation rather than a deck.
The format can be flexible depending on the speaker and the event, it might be a traditional speech, an interview with a host, a fireside chat, or a shorter talk followed by audience questions.
Why Book An After Dinner Speaker?
They give the evening a focal point
A dinner can have a stunning venue, a delicious menu and a healthy supply of Champagne, but it still needs a moment that brings everybody together.
They keep guests in the room
Once dessert is finished, attention often drifts towards the bar, the last train home or an early start the next morning. A name guests genuinely want to hear from gives them a good reason to stay in their seats.
They support the purpose of the event
The right speaker can reinforce a theme without making the evening feel like another conference session. A sporting figure may explore teamwork, a broadcaster can bring a fresh perspective to current affairs, and a survivor can give weight to conversations around resilience or inclusion.
They make the event easier to remember
Guests might not recall every course on the menu, but they will remember the story that made the room go quiet.
What Events Are After Dinner Speakers Good For?
- Awards ceremonies
- Corporate dinners
- Gala dinners and fundraisers
- Conference dinners
- Sports dinners
- Leadership events
- Association and industry dinners
- Christmas and end-of-year events
The Best After Dinner Speakers For Corporate Events
Katie Piper OBE
After an acid attack left her with life-changing injuries, Katie Piper OBE went on to share her recovery publicly and became a broadcaster, bestselling author, campaigner and founder of The Katie Piper Foundation.
Main subject areas include:
- Resilience and recovery
- Confidence and self-worth
- Wellbeing and mental health
- Beauty, identity and visible difference
- Moving forward after adversity
Enquire about Katie Piper OBE for your next event
Stacey Dooley MBE
Stacey Dooley MBE has built her career as an investigative journalist and documentary presenter, she has reported on complex social issues and met people living through extraordinary circumstances around the world. Her natural, conversational style works particularly well in an interview or fireside chat, exploring what she has learned from stepping into unfamiliar worlds and telling other people’s stories.
Main subject areas include:
- Investigative journalism and documentary-making
- Current affairs and social issues
- Responsible storytelling
- People, culture and identity
- Women in media
Bring Stacey Dooley MBE into the conversation at your next event
Harry Redknapp
Harry Redknapp draws on his career as a player and manager, Harry shares tales from the dressing room, the transfer window and life at some of English football’s biggest clubs. His quick humour and easy storytelling travel well beyond a football-only audience, particularly when there is time for questions.
Main subject areas include:
- Football management and leadership
- Team culture and dressing-room dynamics
- Performing under pressure
- Player, transfer and matchday stories
- Life in football and television
Check Harry Redknapp’s availability for your event
James Nesbitt OBE
James Nesbitt OBE is known for roles across television, film and theatre, from Cold Feet and Bloodlands to The Hobbit, James draws on personal anecdotes and well-judged humour to make even a very formal room feel considerably less formal.
Main subject areas include:
- Television, film and theatre
- Storytelling and performance
- Life behind the scenes
- Career longevity and reinvention
- Northern Irish culture and identity
Bring James Nesbitt OBE’s stories to your next dinner
Ally McCoist OBE
Ally McCoist OBE can analyse the game, tell you what was happening behind the scenes, and make the whole room laugh before he reaches the final score.
The Rangers and Scotland legend has gone on to become one of football’s best-loved commentators and pundits. His stories span playing, managing and broadcasting at the highest level.
Main subject areas include:
- Professional football and management
- Broadcasting and commentary
- Teamwork and leadership
- High performance and pressure
- Behind-the-scenes sporting stories
Enquire about Ally McCoist OBE for your next event
Brian Blessed OBE
When you need a speaker with a broad range of niche subject, Brian Blessed OBE is the speaker for you. Discussing Shakespeare and Flash Gordon to mountaineering expeditions and space training are Brian’s bread and butter.
His career has taken him across stage and screen, up some of the world’s highest mountains and into adventures most people would politely decline.
Main subject areas include:
- Film, television and theatre
- Exploration and adventure
- Mountaineering and endurance
- Courage and pushing personal limits
- Space and science
Bring Brian Blessed OBE’s extraordinary stories to your event
Dame Joanna Lumley
Dame Joanna Lumley has an unforgettable story for almost every occasion.
Her career stretches from modelling and iconic acting roles to travel documentaries, writing and campaigning. Joanna can draw on far-flung journeys, remarkable people and the causes she has championed.
Main subject areas include:
- Acting and entertainment
- Travel and cultural discovery
- Campaigning and activism
- Career stories and reinvention
- Animal welfare and environmental causes
Explore Dame Joanna Lumley’s availability for your event
Louise Minchin
Louise Minchin spent years starting the nation’s day on BBC Breakfast. Away from the sofa, she has taken on endurance races, triathlons and even released a debut thriller novel.
Her experience in broadcasting, endurance sport, and writing gives Louise plenty to explore, from performing under pressure to attempting something before you feel fully ready. She speaks with a journalistic flair.
Main subject areas include:
- Journalism and broadcasting
- Endurance sport and adventure
- Resilience and wellbeing
- Becoming a debut author
- Stepping outside your comfort zone
- Women in sport and media
Bring Louise Minchin’s perspective to your next event
Marc Woods
Marc Woods’ route to the Paralympic podium began after cancer led to the amputation of his left leg when he was 17. Eighteen months after finishing chemotherapy, he was selected to swim for Great Britain.
He went on to compete at five Paralympic Games and win 12 medals before moving into broadcasting, executive coaching and speaking. His open, grounded style connects an extraordinary sporting career with the realities of working life and the way people respond when the plan changes.
Main subject areas include:
- Resilience and overcoming adversity
- Elite performance
- Leadership and teamwork
- Personal responsibility
- Disability and inclusion
Enquire about Marc Woods for your next event
Sir Lenny Henry
Across comedy, acting, writing, broadcasting and his work with Comic Relief, Lenny has built a career that combines humour with a serious commitment to representation and opportunity. He can keep the focus on entertainment or bring weight to conversations around inclusion, social impact and change.
Main subject areas include:
- Comedy, acting and broadcasting
- Diversity and representation
- Opportunity in the creative industries
- Charity and social impact
- Career longevity and change
Bring Sir Lenny Henry to the stage at your next event
Warwick Davis
Warwick Davis has been part of some of the biggest film franchises in the world, including Star Wars and Harry Potter, having begun his screen career at only 11 years old.
His speeches combine behind-the-scenes stories with the realities of growing up in the public eye and building a lasting career while challenging assumptions around disability.
Main subject areas include:
- Film, television and entertainment
- Disability and inclusion
- Confidence and self-belief
- Challenging perceptions
- Building a lasting career
Enquire about Warwick Davis for your next event
Oti Mabuse
Oti Mabuse brings the energy of live performance to everything she does, whether she is dancing, presenting, or speaking to a room.
The two-time Strictly Come Dancing champion grew up in South Africa, studied civil engineering before pursuing dance and built an international career in a fiercely competitive industry.
Main subject areas include:
- Dance and live performance
- Ambition and discipline
- Confidence and self-belief
- Diversity and representation
- Changing direction and pursuing opportunity
Bring Oti Mabuse’s energy to your next event
Baroness Ayesha Hazarika
Baroness Ayesha Hazarika has seen Westminster from several angles: as a political adviser, broadcaster, commentator, member of the House of Lords and, a stand-up comedian.
She takes audiences behind the scenes of political communications, explains how the day’s headlines look from inside the room and finds humour rather than taking anything too seriously.
Main subject areas include:
- British politics and Westminster
- Political communications
- Current affairs and the media
- Women and diversity in politics
- Comedy and political satire
Enquire about Baroness Ayesha Hazarika for your next event
How To Choose The Right After Dinner Speaker
Start with the audience
Think about what the guests have in common, what they will already know and whether the room is likely to respond best to something funny, inspirational or both.
Be clear about the role
Do you want a traditional speech, an interview, a Q&A or someone who can host the awards as well? Deciding the format early will make the shortlist much better suited to the brief.
If you need someone to guide the whole evening rather than deliver one featured speech, take a look at our wider selection of celebrity speakers and hosts.
Match the tone of the evening
A black-tie industry dinner and a charity fundraiser ask something different of the speaker. Share the running order, dress code, audience profile and any sensitivities from the beginning. The more context the speaker has, the better they can shape their material.
Decide what guests should leave with
Do you want them laughing, thinking, feeling inspired or talking about a particular issue? Agreeing the main purpose of the speech also makes it far easier to find the right person.
For events with a learning or business objective, our roundups of the best motivational speakers and best marketing speakers may also help.
Check the practical details
Timings, travel, accommodation, staging, sound, accessibility, and the possibility of a meet and greet all need to be agreed.
FAQs
How long does an after dinner speaker usually speak for?
Most after dinner speeches last around 20 to 45 minutes, sometimes followed by a Q&A. The length depends on the speaker, the format and what else is happening during the evening.
What is the difference between a keynote speaker and an after dinner speaker?
A keynote speaker usually sits within a conference or business programme and is chosen to explore a central theme, share expertise or give the audience practical ideas. An after dinner speaker is generally more story-led and entertainment-focused.
How much does it cost to book an after dinner speaker?
Fees vary depending on the speaker’s profile, the event date and location, the format, travel requirements and any additional elements such as hosting, a meet and greet or a book signing.
Book An After Dinner Speaker With AOK Entertains
The names in this article are only a small selection of the after dinner speakers AOK Entertains can source.
If you already know who you would like, we can approach their representatives, check availability and manage the booking. If you are still deciding, send us your event details and budget, and our team will create a shortlist that makes sense for the room.
We can also manage contracts, travel, accommodation, technical requirements and the wider entertainment around the speech
Tell us about your event and let’s find the right after dinner speaker
entertains@aokevents.com | 020 8222 8420
