Former Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Foreign Secretary, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice; Member of UK Parliament.
David Lammy is one of the UK’s most senior statesmen and a defining figure in modern British politics. Formerly the first person of colour to serve as Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, David previously held the position of Foreign Secretary from 2024 to 2025 amid some of the most significant geopolitical upheavals of the 21st century.
Utilising his breadth of connections across the Atlantic and beyond, he steered UK diplomacy through the conflict in Gaza and the US-Iran War while spearheading support for Ukraine with the 100 Year Partnership, and pioneering the reset of the UK’s relationship with the European Union. With the government’s China Audit he presented to the House of Commons in 2025, David charted a new era of strategic competition with China, and together with France and Germany, he led on the UN snapback of sanctions over Iran’s nuclear programme.
A published author and prominent broadcaster, David was educated at SOAS and became the first ever Black Briton to study at Harvard Law School before practising as a barrister in both the US and UK. He became the Member of Parliament for Tottenham in 2000 at the age of 27 and a Minister under both Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown between 2002 and 2010. In 2017 he oversaw the landmark Lammy Review into racial bias in the criminal justice system. He offers a rare insider’s account of diplomacy, national security and high-stakes leadership at the very top of the British state.
keynote speeches.
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The relationship between the United States, and the United Kingdom and Europe finds itself in a new and less predictable era. Trade tensions, renewed protectionism, conflict in Ukraine and the Middle East, and intensifying strategic competition with China have exposed the fragility of the assumptions that underpinned the post-Cold War order. As UK Foreign Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister, David worked at the heart of Britain's engagement with Washington, helped reset relations with Europe, maintained international support for Ukraine, and led the UN snapback of sanctions on Iran's nuclear programme alongside France and Germany. He offers a rare insider's account of the decisions shaping the transatlantic alliance, the future of Western security and the implications for leaders navigating an increasingly fragmented global economy.
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Across Britain, the United States and democracies worldwide, public debate is more polarised than ever, confidence in institutions is declining and the space for serious disagreement is under strain. Few statesmen have confronted this shift as directly as David Lammy. Drawing on his experience at the highest levels of government, he examines the forces reshaping political discourse: identity, inequality, the speed and reach of digital media, economic insecurity and a growing sense that established institutions no longer listen. He also considers what leaders must do to restore confidence in democratic life, make the case for common purpose and rebuild relationships and institutions capable of holding disagreement without deepening distrust.
testimonials.
videos.
Speaking Highlight
books.
frequently asked questions.
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David Lammy's work centres on two connected themes: shifting geopolitics and Western security in an increasingly fragmented global order, and the erosion of public trust in democratic institutions. Both are grounded in his direct experience as UK Foreign Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister, spanning the transatlantic alliance with the US, strategic competition with China, the Gaza war, the war in Ukraine, and domestic justice reform.
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Given his standing as a senior political statesman, former Foreign Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister, David is best suited to keynote addresses or fireside chats at flagship conferences, leadership summits, and high-level briefings, typically paired with moderated Q&A.
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He is most relevant to organisations navigating geopolitical uncertainty, supply chain and trade exposure amid rising global tensions, or reputational and governance challenges tied to public trust and institutional legitimacy. His justice-system background also makes him relevant to organisations addressing fairness, equality or accountability challenges internally.
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David's audiences include: C-suite and board-level leadership teams, major financial and professional services firms, governmental and policy bodies, and large-scale international conferences with a global footprint. His experience operating at the very top of government means he is built for the biggest stages, addressing audiences that need to understand geopolitical risk and shifting democratic dynamics at the highest level.
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David's approach is best described as authoritative: as a senior political statesman, former Foreign Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister, he speaks from direct personal involvement in the decisions under discussion . Audiences receive a genuine account of high-stakes diplomacy and leadership.
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Yes. As Foreign Secretary, Deputy Prime Minister and senior political statesman David has visited more than fifty countries and worked directly across the US, Europe, the Middle East and China, giving him direct relevance and credibility with audiences across multiple regions rather than a UK-only perspective.
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Pricing for David Lammy is influenced by factors such as event location, format, and time commitment. Speaking Office ensures fee consistency across all enquiries, whether via speaker bureaus or direct clients, so that pricing remains aligned and non-competitive across channels. Accurate and up-to-date pricing can be provided once event details are shared, ensuring alignment with both the client’s requirements and David’s long-term positioning.
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Speaking Office aims to respond promptly to all enquiries regarding David Lammy, typically within one business day. Response times may vary slightly depending on event complexity and time zone, but all enquiries are handled with care and attention.
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David is available for virtual and hybrid events, as well as in-person engagements, depending on availability and event requirements. Speaking Office can advise on the most appropriate format based on audience, objectives, and technical considerations.
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Advance booking is recommended for David Lammy, particularly for peak periods and international events. While shorter lead times can be accommodated, early enquiry allows for greater flexibility and planning.
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Speaking Office exclusively represents David Lammy for speaking engagements outside North America. Harry Walker Agency exclusively represents David Lammy in North America.
To discuss arrangements outside North America, please contact Speaking Office: