We’re excited to reveal some big-name profiles joining Raise the Bar this summer and they’ve wasted no time in adding value to live and virtual events alike. Trending topics are changing and so we’ve lined up the most interesting, insightful and impactful speakers to wow your audiences in the second half of 2025 and beyond.
Introducing our Latest Speaker Signings
Sonya Barlow – Award-winning BBC presenter, author, keynote speaker, entrepreneur, TEDx speaker, content creator and writer.
Kate Hardcastle MBE – Global go-to consumer specialist, Kate is a multi-award-winning international business consultant, broadcaster, author, keynote speaker and event host.
Dylan Holloway – Musically known as Dylan And The Moon, is an award-winning transgender artist, global speaker, and BBC music show winner.
Dr Jo Salter MBE – The first female Fighter Jet Pilot, former Director of Global Transformative Leadership for PwC, Global Advisory of GenAI for PwC and named as one of the 50 Most Inspiring Women in the World.
Maeve Campbell – Climate presenter and producer for Channel 4 News, columnist for Forbes, media advisor for Cambridge University’s Sustainability Institute.
James Poulter – Leading keynote speaker and expert in artificial intelligence, innovation, and digital transformation.
Blaire Palmer – The authority on disrupting the future of leadership, who wants to provoke senior leaders to think more critically about the idea of work and leadership itself.
Linda Plant – A powerhouse in British business – a self-made entrepreneur whose voice, vision, and values have shaped a career spanning fashion, property, interior design, digital ventures, and beyond.
Toni Kent – Toni is a powerhouse speaker who doesn’t just talk about social mobility – she redefines the conversation.
Dr Kristen Holmes – Vice President of Performance Science at WHOOP, a leading human performance company, and three-time All-American athlete and two-time Big Ten Athlete of the Year.
Ollie Thorn – Disabled endurance athlete and keynote speaker, specialising in disability inclusion and unlocking human performance.
Fehinti Balogun – A distinguished multimedia creative, leveraging his platform and artistry to catalyse meaningful conversations and drive action in the realms of climate justice and equality.
Raise the Bar Speaker Headlines
JIM STEELE WINS 3 CATEGORIES AT THE 2025 SPEAKER AWARDS
Jim Steele walked away with not one, not two, but three awards at this years Speaker Awards! Jim was named Speaker of the Year for 2025, Best Virtual Speaker and Best Live Speaker. Jim is a renowned strategist and performance consultant, and best-selling author. Drawing from cutting-edge neuroscientific research, Jim is always seeking new solutions for the ever-evolving challenges in today’s fast-paced business world. Jim has also been inducted into the Speaker Awards Hall of Fame.
BONITA NORRIS WINS BEST SHOWREEL AT THE 2025 SPEAKER AWARDS
Bonita Norris has won the Best Showreel award at the 2025 Speaker Awards. Bonita is the youngest person to reach both “tops of the world”: the summit of Mount Everest and the North Pole. She has undertaken record-breaking expeditions to the world’s highest mountains, becoming the youngest woman to reach the tops of the world’s highest peaks. Bonita’s story, though awe-inspiring and spellbinding, is also relatable- Bonita is the ordinary person who did something extraordinary, who managed to turn a vision into reality not with talent, but with dogged determination.
KATE ANCKETILL WINS BEST AI, FUTURE & TECHNOLOGY SPEAKER AWARD AT THE 2025 SPEAKER AWARDS
Kate Ancketill has won the award for the Best AI, Future & Technology Speaker at the 2025 Speaker Awards. Kate uses rofessional research and strategy expertise to distil immensely complex global subjects into visually spectacular, crystal-clear narratives with actional take-outs. From climactic and economic headwinds to demographics and the advance of exponential technologies, she contextualises big shifts in consumer trends and demonstrates successful commercial adaptation, inspiring audiences with her optimism and giving them practical strategies for short and medium-term success.
JULIA STREETS AWARDED MBE IN THE KING’S HONOURS
Julia Streets, the Founder and CEO of Streets Consulting, the FinTech growth consultancy and a widely recognised champion of UK FinTech entrepreneurship and diversity, equity, and inclusion, has been awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in HM The King’s 2025 Birthday Honours List for Services to Diversity and Inclusion in Entrepreneurship, particularly in the Financial Services and Technology Sectors. The award acknowledges Julia’s impactful career to date as a successful entrepreneur and her dedication to driving growth, shaping debate and influencing change across the financial services and technology sectors.
ALEX STANIFORTH COMPLETES 446 CHALLENGE
After 45 days, Alex Staniforth climbed Helvellyn, the final peak of the 446 Challenge. Alex is now the first and fastest person ever to run and cycle between all 446 mountains in England & Wales in one self-propelled effort. The previous record was 6 months. Alex achieved 3,069km on foot (1,550km) & bike (1,519km), 101,721m climbed (11.5x Everest!) and raised £30,593 for Mind Over Mountains.
JO BRADSHAW COMPLETES THE SEVEN SUMMITS
After her completed climb of Carstensz Pyramid, Jo Bradshaw has now completed the Seven Summits! The Seven Summits refers to the highest mountains on each of the seven traditional continents. These are: Everest (Asia), Aconcagua (South America), Denali (North America), Kilimanjaro (Africa), Elbrus (Europe), Vinson Massif (Antarctica), and either Carstensz Pyramid or Mount Kosciuszko (Oceania/Australasia). Since Everest kicked off, Jo has raised over £45,000 for Place2Be.
SUZANNE EDMOND NAMED IN PRWEEK’S WOMEN IN PR 40 OVER 40
Suzanne Edmond has been named one of PRWeek’s Women in PR 40 Over 40 list, recognising women who are shaping the future of PR with clarity, confidence and influence. Suzanne’s story is one of reinvention and resilience. From career reset to building a business she loves, she is passionate about helping female leaders find their voice and own their space. Her quote in the announcement says it all: “Age should be a strength, not a barrier”.
ROB HOSKING RELEASES NEW BOOK: LESSONS FROM THE FRONTLINE
At 22, Rob Hosking joined the police, in the hope it would become his purpose. For years, he faced trauma, loss, and the relentless pressures of frontline service. A breaking point, a near-death experience, and a stark realisation forced him to confront the truth: the life he had built was no longer his to live. It was time to walk away. In this raw, unfiltered account, Rob shares his journey through resilience, change, and the difficult process of starting over. Drawing from lessons forged in high-pressure environments, he helps you navigate change and build a life you truly love. Packed with real-life experiences, practical insights, and hard-earned wisdom, this book is a guide to discovering your own path to happiness.
Upcoming Key Dates
- 15-21 September 2025: National Inclusion Week
- October 2025: Black History Month
- 10 October 2025: World Mental Health Day
- 5 November 2025: Stress Awareness Day
- 19 November 2025: International Men’s Day
Need some help finding the right speaker for your event?
Get in touch with our friendly speaker team who’ll be delighted to help:
enquiries@raisethebar.co.uk