Karen Blackett.
Karen Blackett CBE is the former UK President for WPP and MediaCom EMEA Chief Operating Officer.
An experienced turnaround CEO, Karen has a track record of delivering business growth and returns through focusing on brand reinvention, brand salience, operational excellence and organisational transformation. Known for her transformative work with large, complex, multi disciplined and diverse businesses, she delivers commercial success through a laser focus on managing topline and bottom line P&L delivery. She also creates vibrant cultures, energised teams, and consistently delivers revenue growth by re-engaging consumers with brands, and by finding new growth target audiences and markets.
As the former UK president for WPP, Karen was responsible for managing US$2 billion of revenue and 13,000 people. Karen also has extensive multinational experience having previously served as MediaCom’s EMEA Chief Operating Officer. She currently sits on the advisory council of SXSW and the board of The British Fashion Council.
keynote speeches.
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Some teams produce great results while others don’t, so what is the secret ingredient that go into the creation of the former? Allowing people to be their real selves at work is crucial.
Countless surveys and research studies show that a happy and diverse workforce leads to greater productivity, creativity and hence success, so how do you create a culture where people can bring themselves to work? Where people don’t feel the need to cover who they really are to fit in with a perceived mainstream at work? How do you go about creating an Avengers Assemble in your organisation?
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The secret to competitive advantage is rooted in understanding people. However, consumers today are just different. Their daily lives are influenced by the changes occurring in technology. These changes are dynamic and constant. Consumer habits as a consequence are evolving all the time. We want things faster, more tailored and on our terms. As a business, how do you meet these consumer demands? How do you plan for a future which keeps changing?
In this talk, Karen examines Modern Britain, their tastes and their value. Karen look at how the media landscape has evolved as a consequence of technology advancement and how this has influenced consumer behaviour. Finally, Karen looks at some of the ways in which businesses can harness these changes to stay ahead of the game, find new ways of working and future-proof their business.
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Celebrate difference. Look for it, champion it and nurture it. Modern Britain is now a brilliant fruit salad of people. If the consumer economy had a gender it would be female.
Diversity and inclusion are the buzzwords in business today, but this is not anything new, nor is it a tick box exercise to be owned by the HR function. It is very simply about ensuring success and future proofing your business. In this keynote, Karen look’s at the importance of knowing who your audience is and their value, tips and tools on how to reflect that audience in your own organisation in terms of both recruitment and retention. Talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. How can businesses create opportunity? Finally, Karen looks at how reframing the conversation around empathetic leadership could lead to greater change.
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Are you a leader or a manager? What is the difference? How do you get others to follow and believe in your leadership?
In this keynote, Karen explores what leadership means in the 21st century, and why adapting your leadership style to suit different team members is crucial to creating high performance wherever you go. She also examines the traits of some of the most successful leaders in business today, their style of leadership and the result this has had on their organisations.
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Why does personal branding matter to your career? Just as great branding helps a product or service stand out and increase market share, a personal brand allows you to highlight your value and is a key tool for career advancement. In this workshop we investigate how to optimise personal brand, and consider how it is communicated and perceived.
videos.
Speaker Highlight
in the news.
frequently asked questions.
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Karen Blackett’s work focuses on leadership, organisational culture, brand growth, and business transformation, with a strong emphasis on authenticity, inclusion, and consumer understanding. Drawing on her experience as a turnaround CEO and senior business leader, she explores how organisations drive commercial performance by creating energised cultures, reconnecting with audiences, and leading with empathy and clarity.
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She is typically engaged for keynote speeches at conferences and senior leadership events, where she combines strategic insight with real-world business experience. Her sessions often focus on leadership, culture, and future-focused growth in complex and fast-changing environments.
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Yes. Beyond keynote presentations, Karen contributes to moderated conversations, leadership discussions, and workshop-style sessions, particularly where organisations want to explore culture, leadership behaviour, or brand strategy in greater depth.
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Her work is particularly relevant to organisations navigating transformation, growth, or reinvention, especially large, complex businesses operating in competitive and evolving markets. She is especially valuable where organisations are seeking to align culture, leadership, and commercial performance while responding to changing consumer expectations.
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She most commonly engages with senior leaders, executive teams, boards, and leadership populations across corporate and consumer facing sectors. Her work also resonates with organisations focused on diversity, inclusion, and talent development at scale.
Audiences include CEOs, senior leaders, leadership teams, HR professionals, people leaders, managers, and employee audiences. -
Her approach is confident, engaging, blending data, insight, and her own personal leadership perspective. She brings credibility and authority while remaining accessible, encouraging leaders to reflect on how they manage, build culture, and drive results.
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Karen adapts her content to reflect the organisation’s sector, growth stage, and leadership challenges. She adjusts emphasis between culture, consumer insight, leadership, or brand strategy, ensuring her examples and insights are directly relevant to the audience’s context.
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Karen Blackett's leadership and business insights translate effectively across international and multicultural contexts, particularly where organisations are operating at scale, managing diverse teams, and responding to global consumer and market dynamics.
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Pricing for Karen 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 Karen’s long-term positioning.
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Speaking Office aims to respond promptly to all enquiries regarding Karen, 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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Karen 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 Karen, particularly for peak periods and international events. While shorter lead times can be accommodated, early enquiry allows for greater flexibility and planning.
How do I book Karen for a speech?
To book Karen for a speech, contact her speaking agent: