MEET THE SPEAKERS

Full agenda coming soon

The 21st Century Brain: Reasons to Be Cheerful

Dr Hannah Critchlow - Neuroscientist and Author

86 billion nerve cells. Each nerve cell has 86 trillion connections moving at 120 metres per second. The human brain is awesome, our skills unique. Hannah will share cutting-edge neuroscience that is profoundly empowering, and demonstrates that it is human skills such as curiosity, compassion, communication and creativity that will help us navigate and flourish in our era of technological and societal change.

Where Ambition Is Done Proper: The Story of Yorkshire Tea

Simon Eyles - Co-CEO, Bettys and Taylors of Harrogate

Simon explores how Yorkshire Tea became the No1 tea brand in the UK, sharing the impact of “Where everything is done proper” and how it reflects not only their attitude to marketing and investment but the values across the business.

It’s Not Rocket Science (Except When It Is)

Libby Jackson OBE - Head of Space, Science Museum; Former CEO, UK Space Agency; Former Flight Director, Mission Control

A leading expert in human spaceflight, Libby shares what she learnt about decision making from being a Flight Director at Mission Control, how Space is misunderstood and what ambition looks like for the Space industry.

Beyond Belief: The Science and the System to Go Further Than You Thought Possible

Nir Eyal - Author

What we believe shapes what we see, how we feel, and what we do. But beliefs are not facts. They are tools. And they can change. Eyal will describe how learning to put down the ones holding us back and choosing the right ones can unlock lasting motivation, resilience and new ambitions in every part of our lives.

Rebel With a Cause: 

What Does Ambition Feel Like After Five Successful Companies Over Three Decades?

Marcia Kilgore - Serial Entrepreneur

The founder of spa smash Bliss, Soap and Glory, FitFlop and Beauty Pie tells us what it takes to find and focus on the next opportunity, when you’ve not only already “made it”, but changed the rules of each sector you enter, and then sold or scaled and moved on.

Never Give In: How Commandos Do Ambition

Major Scotty Mills - Former Head of Training, Royal Marines Commando Force

It’s the kind of pressure few of us will ever face. Using his experience as former Head of Training of the Royal Marines Commando Force, his 32 years of service and fighting in three war zones, former Major Scotty Mills will share what we can learn from leadership in the forces, and how he helped Olympic teams and leaders like Gareth Southgate to success under extreme pressure.

Ambition Is Different in China: A Wake-Up Call for Western Marketers

Christina Boutrup - Journalist, Author, Special Advisor China

Chinese brands are expanding globally. One of Europe’s leading China analysts, Christina will share the very latest trends in AI technology and digital services from China, like pilotless helicopter taxis, drone food delivery, two-day innovation cycles and the impact of micro dramas on communication planning.

Made by Members: 

Made by Members celebrates The Marketing Society community, with sessions created for Members, with Members and by Members. In these short, powerful talks, Members share a personal story of what ambition means to them: honest, human and thought-provoking moments that show the strength of our Society lies in the Changemakers among us.

Made by Members: 252km of Hot Ambition. Prepare to Rethink Your Limits

Sam Tomlinson - CEO, mediasense

Brutal terrain. Physical breakdown. Extreme heat. Relentless fatigue. With no real rest. Marketing Society Member Sam Tomlinson unpacks how ambition drives resilience and the capacity for maximum human endurance.

Made by Members: Ambition Needs an Axis

Sabah Naqushbandi - Managing Director, The Outnet, Fellow of The Marketing Society 

What can the Romans tell us about ambition? Sabah examines this and more as she explores how her outlook on ambition has changed over her career from P&G to luxury fashion. She also shares how personal circumstances have shifted her perspective, as she realises, like the Romans, that ambition means “giving” as much as “getting”.

The Ambition Exchange

Chris Baréz-Brown - Founder, Upping Your Elvis
Jim Lusty - Partner, Upping Your Elvis

The Marketing Society Members are known for their generosity. As a community we want to help marketers be more successful, in their personal as well as their professional life. This session puts that generosity to work, in a way you might not expect.

Restless Ambition: Creating a New Funding Model for the Arts

Sophie Wybrew-Bond - CCO, Royal Ballet and Opera

The arts not only shape how a society sees itself, but can offer audiences a depth of emotional connection few sectors can match. But after Covid and the continual pressure on public funding, the Royal Ballet and Opera demanded radical thinking. Sophie will share how a fresh approach has created new audiences, communities, partners, and a renewed dynamism to the brand enabling it to look forward to a healthier, more sustainable future.

Get Your Voice Heard

James Sills - Author and Musician

A sense of belonging is not a nice-to-have but a fundamental human need. And belonging is the foundation of strong teams and communities. At its core is the creation of an environment. The award-winning musician and author James Sills will lead a session delivering true human connection, inclusion and a shared goal for everyone present.

See the highlights from The Global Conference 2025 to get a flavour of the day; don't just take our word for it