The Best Celebrity Speakers For Corporate Events: Must-Book Names For 2026 & Beyond
2 October 2026
Some speakers need an introduction. With others, the name on the programme is enough to get people into their seats.
A familiar face can give a buzz to a conference, client event or awards dinner. The best celebrity speakers give your audience a reason to keep listening. They have unique experience behind a subject, a point of view they can make their own, and stories that are impossible to hear from anyone else.
Here are some of the biggest names you can enquire about through AOK Entertains. Some of the celebs on this list aren’t just names we can enquire with, but also ones we’ve already booked! Tim Peake, Sir Gareth Southgate and John Cleese are just a few… Every appearance depends on the speaker’s availability, the event brief and an agreed format. The topic ideas we’ve suggested below suit every celebrity’s niche.
Celebrity Speakers To Book For Your Event
Louis Theroux: Curiosity for difficult conversations
If you know Louis Theroux from Weird Weekends, When Louis Met… or My Scientology Movie, you know his style. Approaching a simple question that makes room for a much more complicated answer. His documentaries have taken him into unfamiliar communities and sensitive situations.
Louis is the best choice for an event about storytelling, trust or understanding people whose views differ from our own. A moderated conversation and audience Q&A can give guests the chance to hear how he approaches a subject and decides when to challenge what he’s told.
Keynote or conversation topics to explore:
- Building trust and asking better questions in difficult interviews
- What documentary storytelling can reveal about unfamiliar communities
- Curiosity, judgement and the ethics of telling someone else’s story
Consider Louis for conference headline conversations, media and communications events, and audiences who want to hear the thinking behind the films.
Explore a conversation with Louis Theroux
Professor Brian Cox: The universe, explained
Professor Brian Cox has brought physics to living rooms through Wonders of the Universe, The Planets and The Infinite Monkey Cage. He is also a Professor of Particle Physics at the University of Manchester and has worked on the ATLAS experiment at CERN.
Brian’s live talks can cover black holes and the possibility of life on Mars to the discoveries made possible by scientific collaboration. He has spoken at TED and World Economic Forum events, in a way where non-scientists understand ideas that might otherwise stay in the laboratory.
Keynote topics:
- What the universe can tell us about our origins
- Black holes, Mars and the frontiers of space research
- Why scientific discovery and curiosity matter to innovation
Get Professor Brian Cox for your next large conference, innovation event or any audience ready to have their view of the world expanded.
Ask AOK about Professor Brian Cox
Nicola Adams OBE: Changing who gets in the ring
Nicola Adams OBE became the first woman to win an Olympic boxing gold medal at London 2012, then defended her title at Rio 2016. Audiences may also know her from Strictly Come Dancing, where she performed in the programme’s first same-sex couple. Both moments made her visible well beyond boxing, in a sport where women had once had to fight for a place on the Olympic programme.
Nicola can speak about the preparation behind two Olympic wins and the barriers she encountered getting there. Her experience gives access to a sport, the pressure of representing more than yourself.
Keynote topics:
- Preparing to perform at the highest level, then defending a title
- Women’s boxing and the opportunities created by visibility in sport
- LGBTQ+ inclusion and speaking openly as an elite athlete
Explore Nicola Adams for your event line-up
Tim Peake: Teamwork in uncharted territory
British astronaut and former test pilot Tim Peake is known for his mission aboard the International Space Station and his spacewalk. Few speakers can show an audience photographs they took from orbit, then explain the training and decisions behind the moment.
In his conversation with AOK Events, Tim describes tailoring his keynotes to the client’s theme. He draws on working with international teams and mission control in a high-risk environment, where selecting the right people, communicating clearly and preparing for the unexpected are practical necessities. He also loves a Q&A, so allow time for the questions your guests have been waiting to ask an astronaut.
Keynote topics:
- Selecting and preparing teams for high-stakes missions
- Communication and decision-making across international teams
- Resilience and focus when the pressure is real
If you’re arranging a leadership conference, team event or facing complex challenges together, Tim Peake is the speaker we’d suggest.
Hannah Fry: The human side of data and AI
Hannah Fry is the mathematician audiences know from The Curious Cases of Rutherford & Fry, her books including Hello World, and her talent for making numbers feel personal. Her academic work examines patterns in human behaviour, while her broadcasting asks what happens when we use those patterns to make decisions. She’s also in the cast of the latest series of The Celebrity Traitors UK 2026.
Hannah has a sharp angle on algorithms and AI. She can show where data helps us see something new, where it hides a bias, and why a clever system still needs human judgement.
Keynote topics:
- Data, bias and the decisions algorithms make for us
- The promise and limits of automation and AI
- Patterns in human behaviour and the maths of everyday life
Hannah’s unique niche makes her perfect for technology conferences, strategy days and audiences navigating data-led decisions.
Bring Hannah Fry into the AI conversation
Emily Maitlis: Questions that hold power to account
Emily Maitlis was a defining face of Newsnight, including the interview with Prince Andrew that became a story in its own right. Listeners now know her from The News Agents, where she continues to examine the people and decisions shaping the news.
Emily isn’t afraid to ask difficult questions on air, cover elections and interview political and cultural figures. For an event about public trust or the changing media, she can take an audience inside the interview process. Any current affairs content should be tailored to the audience and moment.
Keynote topics:
- High-stakes interviewing and holding power to account
- Misinformation and trust in news media
- How journalism is changing in a digital world
For media, communications, and leadership events where guests want a lively, informed view of the news, Emily is the speaker that should host.
Enquire about Emily Maitlis on stage
Rory Stewart: Politics with first-hand perspective
Many guests now know Rory Stewart as one half of The Rest Is Politics. Before the podcast, he served as a British minister and diplomat, worked in Iraq and wrote about his journey across Afghanistan in The Places in Between. His account of politics comes from having to make decisions within it, as well as discussing them afterwards.
Rory can bring those experiences to a conversation about global affairs, public service and leadership under uncertainty.
Keynote topics:
- Geopolitics and the decisions behind public policy
- Leadership, compromise and the limits of easy answers
- Lessons from diplomacy and work in conflict-affected regions
Any policy conferences or international business audiences suit Rory Stewart’s speaker style.
Discuss a Rory Stewart appearance
Alastair Campbell: When communication is key
Alastair Campbell is widely known as Tony Blair’s former press secretary and director of communications, and now as Rory Stewart’s co-host on The Rest Is Politics. His work has spanned political campaigns, strategic communications, writing and mental health advocacy. He knows how a message is made, tested and challenged in public.
AOK Entertains arranged Alastair’s keynote and meet-and-greet for Standard Bank’s annual drinks reception. For a business audience, his background gives substance to discussions about leading a team through pressure.
Keynote topics:
- Strategic communication when the stakes are high
- Building a team that can perform under scrutiny
- Mental health, pressure and talking openly about both
A leadership meeting? Client event? Or a communications team? These are all the ideal briefs for Alastair Campbell.
See what Alastair Campbell could bring to your event
Sir Gareth Southgate: Building a team a nation can believe in
Sir Gareth Southgate led England’s men to a World Cup semi-final and two European Championship finals. Viewers remember the tournaments, but fellow leaders will recognise the hard work behind them. Gareth brought a group together, developed young players and made tough calls with the whole country watching.
Gareth speaks about team culture, listening to different expertise and balancing praise with honest feedback. His years as a player, coach and England manager give him more than an anecdote to draw on.
Keynote topics:
- Creating a culture of shared responsibility
- Supporting young talent while demanding high performance
- Leading through scrutiny, setbacks and public expectation
As one of the country’s most iconic coaches, Sir Gareth suits leadership conferences, company kick-offs and teams looking at how they work together.
Check Sir Gareth Southgate for your date
Deborah Meaden: Business decisions with longevity
Deborah Meaden is the investor audiences know from Dragons’ Den: the one asking the question a founder hoped nobody would ask. She has spent more than four decades building and backing businesses, so her view of a pitch comes from what happens after the cameras stop and the work begins.
Deborah’s expertise involves judging opportunities, building a business that lasts and taking sustainability seriously. Deborah considers speaking requests individually, making a specific brief all the more useful. Give her an audience and a business question, and there’s plenty to get into!
Keynote topics:
- What investors look for beyond a persuasive pitch
- Building lasting businesses and making difficult decisions
- Responsible business, sustainability and long-term value
With her experience, Deborah’s talks work best for entrepreneurial audiences, investor events and business conferences.
Put your business brief to Deborah Meaden
John Cleese: Creativity with comic timing
To most people, John Cleese needs only two titles by way of introduction: Monty Python and Fawlty Towers. His talent for finding the absurd in everyday behaviour also led him into business training through Video Arts, the company he co-founded.
John has spoken about creative thinking, problem-solving, customer service and using humour at work. John offers a globally recognised name and a point of view on how ideas reach people.
Keynote topics:
- Making room for creative thinking at work
- How humour helps people communicate and remember ideas
- Customer service and problem-solving through a different lens
John works best as a conference finale speaker, creative industry events and business events that want added laughter, of course.
Ask about a John Cleese appearance
Ruby Wax: Getting candid about mental health
Ruby Wax first became famous for her television interviews and comedy. Her books and live shows, including Sane New World and A Mindfulness Guide for the Frazzled, have since made her a distinctive voice on mental health. She was awarded an OBE for her work raising awareness of it.
Ruby brings humour into subjects that people can find awkward to discuss, while drawing on her study of mindfulness and the science of stress. That mix can help an audience talk more honestly about burnout and wellbeing, provided the event makes room for a real conversation rather than a string of slogans.
Keynote topics:
- Reducing stigma around mental health
- Stress, the brain and practical mindfulness
- Burnout and wellbeing in working life
Wellbeing programmes, people conferences and events that need an honest voice with warmth and wit are Ruby’s bread and butter.
Bring Ruby Wax to the wellbeing discussion
Joe Wicks: Getting people moving
Joe Wicks is The Body Coach and the man behind PE with Joe, the online workouts that became part of many families’ lockdown routine during the pandemic. He has built a following by making movement feel possible for people who might not see themselves as fitness enthusiasts.
His work now extends into workplace wellbeing, with a focus on how movement can support physical and mental health. AOK Entertains has booked Joe for a virtual exercise session as part of a global webinar. For a speaking brief, discuss whether a conversation, practical session or combination will serve the audience best.
Keynote or conversation topics to explore:
- Making movement a realistic part of the working day
- How physical activity can support mental wellbeing
- Building healthy habits people can keep up
Employee wellbeing events, company-wide meetings and programmes that welcome audience participation are key for Joe Wicks.
Talk to AOK about Joe Wicks and your event format
Sir Stephen Fry: Comedy, culture & speaking plainly
Sir Stephen Fry is familiar from Blackadder, QI, A Bit of Fry and Laurie and the Harry Potter audiobooks. His career across comedy, writing and broadcasting has made him a distinctive voice on how stories and language can change the way we see other people.
Stephen is also president of the mental health charity Mind. In The Secret Life of the Manic Depressive, he spoke openly about living with bipolar disorder, and his documentary Out There examined the experiences of LGBTQ+ people around the world. Those projects, alongside decades of advocacy as an openly gay man, give him a personal basis for talking about stigma and the power of speaking plainly.
Keynote topics:
- Mental health and what open conversations can do to challenge stigma
- LGBTQ+ visibility and rights in public life
- How storytelling and language help us understand other people
Discuss a Sir Stephen Fry appearance with AOK Entertains
How To Choose A Celebrity Speaker For Corporate Events
Start with what the audience should take away
The famous name may persuade people to attend. Decide what you want the audience discussing when they leave: a new perspective on AI, a more honest conversation about mental health, or a practical idea about leading a team.
Choose the right format for the right person
A moderated conversation can uncover the stories behind a public career, while a Q&A lets guests pursue the questions that brought them into the room.
Brief the speaker on the audience
Tell us about the people attending, the event’s purpose, the points you would like covered and any subjects that need care.
Share the practical details early
Date, location, audience size, timings and approximate budget all affect the options. Discuss the travel, staging, filming or publicity requests, and any meet-and-greet before you announce a name. We can check availability, fees and the precise brief with the relevant team.
FAQs
Can AOK Entertains book a celebrity not on this list?
Yes! Our speaker and host selection shows only part of the range. If you have a name in mind, send us your event details and we can approach the relevant team to check availability and suitability. A listing here is an invitation to enquire, not a guarantee of a booking.
How far in advance should you enquire?
As early as you can! For a high-profile name, AOK Entertains generally recommends looking 9–12 months ahead, though shorter-notice bookings can sometimes work.
Ready To Secure Your Headline Name
Tell us who you would love to hear from, what your event is about and what your audience should gain from it. We’ll help you shape a shortlist or explore a specific celebrity speaker, then work through the availability, fee, format and practical details.
Explore more celebrity speakers and hosts, see how celebrity bookings work, or send AOK Entertains your brief.
entertains@aokevents.com | 020 8222 8420
