A woman with blonde hair, dressed in a black blazer with gold buttons, sitting on a beige sofa in a modern living room. She is looking at the camera with a slight smile. Behind her is a framed black-and-white picture of a sailboat. To her right is a large potted plant, and on the coffee table in front of her are books, glasses, and a small bowl of green moss or plants.

keynote speaking

Honest stories and lessons from a career that began on the shop floor and led to CEO, inspiring audiences to believe in their abilities, think differently about leadership and see what's possible for themselves.

When I speak at an event, I want people to recognise something of themselves in the experiences I share. Whether they're finding their feet in a new role, leading a team or wondering what might be next for them, I want them to leave with a fresh perspective on what they're capable of and the difference they can make.

Having started my career in retail at just 13 and gone on to lead major businesses in the UK and Middle East, I've learnt a great deal about leadership, self-belief and personal impact. Through honest stories, real experiences and practical insights, I bring those lessons to life in a way that feels relevant to the people in the room, giving them something to reflect on and take back into their own working lives.

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A woman with blonde hair, wearing a black blazer with gold buttons, sitting on a light-colored sofa with decorated pillows in a living room.

Imagine your audience leaving with a different perspective on what’s possible.

Perhaps someone leaves feeling ready to put themselves forward for an opportunity they've been talking themselves out of. Or a manager returns to work thinking differently about how they encourage and develop the people around them. Someone else might start questioning the standards they've accepted for themselves and what they could do to raise them.

These are the kinds of moments I hope to create when I speak. Through honest stories, lessons from my own leadership experience and ideas that challenge familiar ways of thinking, I want people to recognise what they're capable of and consider the impact they could make. So they leave your event with something that feels genuinely relevant to them, and a reason to do things differently when they return to work.

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  • “Laura has a rare gift for spotting and unlocking talent: many of the people she brought in and backed now hold senior leadership roles at Harrods.”

    “Where people doubt themselves, she quietly challenges that thinking and backs her belief in them with practical insight from her own experience. Commercially sharp, endlessly curious, warm and energising, she is brimming with possibilities.”

    — Emma, Senior HRBP

  • “Laura has a natural ability to understand people, bring out the best in them and help them move forward with greater confidence and clarity.”

    “During her time on the NSPCC Fundraising Board, I saw first-hand how effectively she could engage different personalities, challenge constructively, encourage others and create momentum around a shared goal. She combined warmth and empathy with sound judgement, energy and a very practical approach to problem-solving.”

    — Diala, MBE

  • “Laura has a rare talent for helping you see both the bigger picture and your own blind spots.”

    “She listens, encourages, and challenges with warmth and insight, leaving you feeling motivated and confident. Having worked in retail herself, she understands first-hand the pressures and challenges I face, making her coaching particularly relevant. She gives me the space to think clearly, the challenge to think differently and the confidence to act.”

    — Jill, Business Advisor & Consultant

  • “Laura leads with warmth, integrity and a genuine belief in people.”

    “She has always had a clear view of what great leadership looks like, combining high standards with an ability to make people feel valued, supported and trusted.

    What has always stood out to me is her ability to bring out the best in those around her, often giving others the confidence to achieve more than they believed possible.”

    — Lee, Co-Founder

KEYNOTE THEMES

  • From the Shop Floor to CEO

    Lessons in ambition, leadership, and believing in yourself.

    From starting in retail at 13 to leading international luxury businesses, I share the experiences, challenges, and lessons that shaped my career and taught me what's possible.

  • What Great Leadership Really Looks Like

    The qualities that bring out the best in people.

    Drawing on decades of leading teams across different businesses and cultures, I explore the responsibility of leadership, the example we set and how we help others succeed.

  • Believing You're Capable of More

    Overcoming self-doubt and recognising your potential.

    An honest exploration of the doubts that can hold us back, the opportunities we sometimes talk ourselves out of and what happens when we challenge our own limitations.

  • The Impact You Make

    How you show up, influence others and build your reputation.

    Exploring personal impact, the standards we set for ourselves and how our everyday choices and interactions influence the people around us.

  • What Does Exceptional Really Look Like?

    Creating experiences that leave a lasting impression.

    Drawing on my luxury retail experience, I explore what exceptional service really means and how understanding people can transform the experiences we create.

  • Something else in mind?

    These themes are a starting point. I'm happy to tailor a keynote to your audience, event, and the message you'd like people to take away.

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I could be the right speaker for your event if…

You're organising a leadership conference, company event or professional gathering and want a speaker who can genuinely connect with the people in the room.

You want your audience to hear from someone who's held senior leadership positions and can speak openly about the experiences, challenges and lessons behind that success.

You're looking to inspire people to believe in their abilities, pursue new opportunities and reconsider what they're capable of achieving.

You want your managers or future leaders to think more carefully about the example they set, the standards they uphold and the influence they have on others.

You're bringing together people at different stages of their careers and want a speaker whose experiences feel relatable, whatever their background or position.

You want your audience to leave with more than an inspiring story, taking away ideas and perspectives they'll remember and apply in their own lives and careers.

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Bringing me to your event

Every event has its own purpose, audience and atmosphere. I'll work with you to understand what you're hoping to achieve and shape a keynote that feels relevant to the people in the room, drawing on my own experiences and the lessons I've learnt throughout my career.

  • While my background is in luxury retail, the lessons I've learnt about leadership, self-belief and personal impact extend far beyond the industry.

    I'm available for conferences, corporate events, leadership gatherings, women's leadership events and management development programs across retail, hospitality, customer-focused organisations, and other industries.

  • Each speaking engagement is tailored to your event and may include:

    • An initial conversation to understand your audience, event and objectives.

    • A keynote shaped around your chosen theme and the message you'd like to share.

    • Personal stories, practical insights and lessons from my international leadership experience.

    • Coordination ahead of the event to agree on content, timings, and any specific requirements.

  • Speaking fees are tailored to each engagement and depend on the event format, location, duration, and level of preparation required.

    Following an initial conversation, I'll provide a proposal outlining the recommended approach and investment.

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Let's make your next event one to remember.

Whether you have a particular theme in mind or are still exploring ideas, I'd love to hear about your event and the people you're bringing together.

Share a few details below, and I'll be in touch to discuss how I could contribute to making it a meaningful and memorable experience for your audience. Alternatively, you can email me directly at laura@laurabrownadvisory.co.uk.

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The information you provide will only be used to respond to your enquiry and discuss how we might work together.