The Top 10 Celebrity Keynote Speakers I’ve Seen in Action
A famous name will fill seats, but it says very little about whether the person can actually hold a room once they are on stage.
In more than 20 years working in PR, communications and talent, I have watched plenty of well-known names walk on stage and fail to connect, and plenty of lesser-known ones hold a room completely. The difference usually comes down to three things: a genuine story, an understanding of the audience in front of them, and the ability to actually communicate rather than just recite.
Magnify PR is proud to work with Champions Speakers, Britain’s number one SME, helping to promote and shine a light on their expertise and the skills of their clients.
Here are 10 of the celebrity keynote speakers who I’ve seen consistently deliver on all three.
Five consecutive Olympic gold medals across five Games is a record few athletes in any sport will ever match. What makes Sir Steve Redgrave worth booking as a speaker, though, is less the medal count and more what sits behind it: preparation, teamwork, and the discipline to keep going when everything says stop. For businesses wanting a speaker who can reframe how a team thinks about performance and resilience, he remains one of the strongest choices available.
2. Jo Salter
Jo Salter became the first woman to fly a fast jet in the Royal Air Force, in an environment with almost no precedent for someone like her. Her keynote draws on that experience to talk about courage, challenging expectations, and the confidence needed to operate where the path has not already been laid down. It is a natural fit for organisations working on leadership, diversity and resilience.
At the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, Derek Redmond tore his hamstring mid-race and kept going anyway, eventually finishing supported by his father. It became one of the defining images in Olympic history, and the honesty of it is what makes the story hold up as a keynote today. Redmond talks about setbacks rather than winning, and about the people who help us through the moments that go badly wrong.
4. Katy Leeson
The digital and creator economy landscape did not exist when I started in PR more than three decades ago. Katy Leeson speaks directly into that shift, covering technology, digital transformation and the changing way audiences engage with brands. For businesses trying to work out where AI and digital culture take them next, she offers a genuinely current perspective rather than a recycled one.
Kirsty Murphy’s leadership experience comes from the British Army, an environment that leaves little room for theory over practice. Her keynote translates that into decision-making, teamwork and performing under pressure in ways audiences outside the military can actually apply. It is a good fit for corporate teams that want lessons grounded in something real rather than borrowed from a business textbook.
6. Nicky Moffat
As one of the highest-ranking women in the history of the British Army, Nicky Moffat brings a rare vantage point on organisational culture and the changing role of women in senior positions. Her keynote treats leadership as something built through people and responsibility rather than rank, which is exactly the lesson most audiences need to hear.
7. Shaun Murphy
Snooker is a sport built almost entirely on composure, and as a World Champion, Shaun Murphy has plenty to say about maintaining focus when the pressure is highest. What sets him apart on stage is that he pairs that insight with genuine personality, so the lessons on resilience and performance land as entertainment rather than a lecture.
8. Jez Rose
Jez Rose is the wildcard on this list, and deliberately so. His work sits in human behaviour, communication and workplace culture, which lets him approach familiar business subjects from an angle audiences are not expecting. For organisations wanting something that breaks the usual keynote format without losing substance, he is worth serious consideration.
9. John Barnes
John Barnes hardly needs an introduction as a former England international and Liverpool legend, but his value as a speaker goes well beyond the football pitch. His keynote covers leadership, teamwork, diversity and performing under pressure, drawing on a public profile he has turned into something with far more depth than most sporting names manage.
10. Josh Littlejohn
Josh Littlejohn built his profile through entrepreneurship rather than sport or television, founding Social Bite to tackle homelessness through social enterprise. His keynote is a useful case study in how business, purpose and social impact can work together, making him a strong fit for any organisation focused on ESG and corporate responsibility.
What Makes a Great Keynote Speaker?
First, they have a genuine story.
Audiences can tell within minutes whether someone is drawing on lived experience or reciting borrowed motivational lines.
Second, they understand their audience.
The strongest speakers do not simply talk about themselves; they work out what the room actually needs and shape their story around it.
And finally, they can communicate.
Being exceptional at something, whether that is elite sport, military leadership or business, does not automatically make someone a good speaker. Reading a room, using humour well and leaving people with something to take away is a separate craft entirely.
That is why event organisers are better served asking who can turn their name recognition into something the audience actually remembers, rather than simply who is famous.
If you are weighing up speakers for an upcoming event, get in touch and we can help you find the right fit.
Magnify PR named in Entrepreneur’s UK100 Start-Ups to Watch
Magnify PR has been named in Entrepreneur’s UK100 Start-Ups to Watch, marking a major moment in the agency’s journey and recognition of the work the team has put in since launch.
The list shines a light on ambitious young businesses making an impact in their sectors, and for us, it is a proud moment to be included among them.
Founder Nick Owens said: “To be recognised by Entrepreneur in its UK100 Start-Ups to Watch is a huge moment for Magnify PR. We’ve built this agency on hard work, strong relationships and a belief that good PR still starts with a great story.”
He added: “We’re still a young business, so to receive this kind of recognition at this stage means a lot. It is a real credit to the team and to the clients who have trusted us to tell their stories.”
Magnify PR has grown quickly by staying close to the fundamentals of good communications. We work with clients across property, legal, media, health, consumer and business sectors, helping them find the right angle, reach the right audience and secure coverage that actually matters.
Being included in the Entrepreneur list is a welcome milestone, but it also comes during a period of strong momentum for the agency.
Over the past year, Magnify PR has continued to build its client base, expand its profile and deliver standout results across a wide range of campaigns. That has included managing communications for GB News, helping launch the Chester Business Club Young Business Person Awards, securing further recognition for the business and its leadership with Nick shortlisted in multiple categories at the North West Leadership Awards, and being appointed to lead communications for the Cheshire & North Wales Food & Drink Festival and Deva Fest.
Nick said: “What’s important to me is that we’ve grown the right way. We’ve worked hard to build a business that delivers for clients, enjoys the work and keeps pushing standards higher.”
He added: “This recognition is brilliant, but nobody here is treating it as a finish line. We’re ambitious, we’re building, and there is a lot more still to come from Magnify PR.”
The Entrepreneur recognition reflects a simple idea that has shaped Magnify PR from day one. In a crowded market, clear thinking, strong media instincts and properly told stories still cut through.
That approach has helped us grow our reputation, deepen our client relationships and build momentum in sectors where trust, profile and credibility matter.
For a young agency, this is an important milestone. More importantly, it shows that the work we are doing, and the way we are doing it, is resonating.
As Nick puts it: “We’re proud of what we’ve achieved so far, but we’re only just getting started.”
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If you are looking for a PR agency that knows how to find the story, shape the message and get it in front of the right people, get in touch with Magnify PR.
Magnify PR appointed to lead communications for Cheshire & North Wales Food & Drink Festival and Deva Fest
The Cheshire & North Wales Food & Drink Festival and Deva Fest. The dual mandate will place Magnify at the heart of the region’s events calendar and its hospitality‑driven visitor economy.
Two of Cheshire’s flagship events in one year
The Cheshire & North Wales Food & Drink Festival returns over the Easter weekend, running from Friday 3 April to Sunday 5 April 2026 at Chester Racecourse. The rebranded event brings together local and regional food and drink producers, street‑food traders and live entertainment, with a renewed focus on community, independent business and a strong visitor experience.
Deva Fest takes place from Thursday 6 August to Sunday 9 August 2026 at Cholmondeley Castle Gardens. The four‑day, family‑friendly festival combines live music, comedy and themed activities with a broad food and drink offering, positioning itself as one of the North West’s major summer events.
“A milestone for Magnify”
Nick Owens, founder of Magnify PR, said, “Being asked to lead PR for both the Cheshire & North Wales Food & Drink Festival and Deva Fest is another key milestone for Magnify PR. It signals that we’re now working at the heart of Cheshire’s events calendar, telling the stories of some of its most visible and impactful experiences to regional and national media.”
A growing footprint in Chester and Cheshire
Magnify’s work in recent years includes supporting high‑profile, community‑focused initiatives across Chester and Cheshire, including partnerships with Chester Business Club and Chester Racecourse on campaigns such as the annual charity walk and the Young Business Person Awards. In these projects, the agency has helped translate club or venue‑level activity into regional coverage and stakeholder engagement, reinforcing its role as a strategic communications partner for organisations that matter to the city.
What comes next
Campaigns for the Cheshire & North Wales Food & Drink Festival and Deva Fest will be rolled out in the coming weeks across regional and national trade titles, with a strong emphasis on hospitality, tourism and events‑industry coverage.
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Nulla facilisi. Donec auctor velit magna, vitae porta magna molestie id. Suspendisse mauris odio, volutpat vitae augue eget, eleifend venenatis sapien. Curabitur maximus metus sit amet ex sodales tempus. Donec tempor scelerisque augue, sed dictum est scelerisque sed. Donec venenatis ut nulla vel tincidunt. Donec id sem nec dolor vulputate consectetur non a mi. Aenean a tincidunt justo, vel mollis nisl. Sed condimentum, velit id sodales ultricies, lacus lectus consequat ligula, at pretium quam neque vitae ligula. Aliquam eget urna eget tellus mollis egestas a a ante. Nulla dapibus nibh condimentum magna elementum, ut fringilla lorem tincidunt. Sed congue maximus pharetra. Nam non nibh elit. Sed a malesuada dolor. Cras varius, sem eget convallis sollicitudin, mi lorem varius nunc, eu vehicula ex erat ac neque.
Chester Business Club Young Business Person Awards Return on 6 July 2026
Last summer, Chester’s business community witnessed something genuinely special. The Chester Business Club Young Business Person Awards made their debut, and the quality of entries left judges stunned. As founder of Magnify PR and creator of these awards, I watched 13-year-old students pitch disruptive concepts alongside University of Chester student Keren Isaiah, whose culturally inclusive vending business Kairos Unlimited bagged the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
That calibre confirmed what many suspected: Chester nurtures commercial talent ready to shape the city’s future. Now, at the start of 2026, we’re inviting the next generation to step forward.
Two Categories, Three Winners
Vision Awards (two winners) welcome Year 12+ students up to age 18 living or studying within CH1-CH4 postcodes. Entrants submit 750+ word proposals mapping original Chester-based business ideas. Strong applications articulate the concept clearly, demonstrate commercial viability, select smart locations, plan realistic setups, anticipate genuine challenges and specify exactly what support they need. Evidence of enterprise through side hustles, school projects or coursework makes compelling cases even stronger.
Young Entrepreneur of the Year recognises individuals up to 25 who have run businesses within CH1-CH4 postcodes for over a year. Successful 1,000+ word statements chronicle real business journeys, backed by concrete growth metrics, leadership decisions that delivered results, client wins achieved and clear visions for the road ahead. Evidence of scalable operations, sector disruption and Chester impact carries most weight with judges.
The Rewards
Three winners receive 12 hours of personalised mentoring with Chester Business Club Executive Committee members spanning law, marketing, tech, engineering, finance, accounting, property and events.
Vision Award winners each receive substantial Chester BID vouchers (runners-up claim £100 vouchers).
Young Entrepreneur winner secures a substantial Chester BID voucher plus one month free Magnify PR support (runners-up receive £150 Chester BID vouchers).
All shortlisted finalists attend the Chester Business Club Annual Banquet on Monday 6 July 2026 with one adult guest (two free tickets) to collect certificates. Additional family/supporter tickets available at member guest rates.
Timeline
Applications opened this month with a 31 May 2026 deadline, providing ample time for thoughtful entries. Shortlists appear in June (finalists may submit additional information). The 6 July 2026 banquet crowns winners as students connect directly with Chester’s top business decision-makers.
Our Supporters
Magnify PR leads as founding sponsor, joined by Chester Business Club, Connectus Business Solutions and DEESURVEYS.
Roy Shelton, CEO of Connectus Business Solutions, values celebrating young people who turn local ideas into tangible economic impact. Chester Business Club chair Gavin Floyd welcomes the platform spotlighting talent that sustains Chester businesses through challenging times.
Our Inspiration
I created these awards to give recognition that raises profiles within Chester’s business community. Last year’s impact proved a clear gap existed. The strong sponsor return confirms we’re delivering lasting value. CH1-CH4 students with genuine business drive should seize this opportunity.
How to Enter
Vision Awards (Year 12+ up to 18, CH1-CH4 students)
Apply here
Young Entrepreneur (up to 25, 1+ year CH1-CH4 business)
Apply here
Deadline: 31 May 2026
Free entry – no school admin required
Questions:
events@chesterbusinessclub.co.uk
or
Magnify PR champions Chester’s next generation. Please share widely with ambitious students today.
Magnify PR Founder Shortlisted in Three Leadership Awards Categories
Nick is in the running for Marketing Leader, Emerging Entrepreneur Leader, and Mentor.
The recognition reflects the agency’s trajectory since launching two years ago. What began as a one-person operation has evolved into a multi-client PR agency, securing thousands of national placements across property, legal, tech, and business sectors. This work extends beyond traditional media relations to encompass strategic brand development and investment in emerging talent.
The North West Leadership Awards recognise leaders who drive their sectors forward through genuine investment in people and community. These three shortlistings reflect exactly that commitment.
Nick’s actively invested in developing emerging talent, including mentoring early-career professionals transitioning into PR and marketing. One recent success involves guiding a University of Chester graduate through their early professional roles, offering hands-on support in client management, strategic thinking, and career development in communications.
His involvement with Chester Business Club amplifies this commitment. He’s launched the Young Business Person Awards, recognising that thriving regions require deliberate investment in future entrepreneurs. Mentoring emerging talent and building infrastructure for the next generation demonstrates leadership that extends beyond the bottom line.
Nick said: “Its a huge honour to be shortlisted for these awards, especially when you see the calibre of people I am named alongside.
“I was particularly pleased to see many of our clients feature on the list, and look forward to joining them on the night of the Awards to celebrate all the wonderful work which is going on in the north west of England.”
Quisque interdum dapibus eros, bibendum suscipit libero sagittis sed. Nunc eu justo id diam dictum rhoncus. Pellentesque vitae fermentum nisl. Nam semper massa sollicitudin sapien tincidunt dictum. Maecenas vitae scelerisque eros. Donec vitae elit porttitor purus lacinia congue quis quis ipsum. Suspendisse elementum tellus nec nisl tristique lobortis.
Nulla facilisi. Donec auctor velit magna, vitae porta magna molestie id. Suspendisse mauris odio, volutpat vitae augue eget, eleifend venenatis sapien. Curabitur maximus metus sit amet ex sodales tempus. Donec tempor scelerisque augue, sed dictum est scelerisque sed. Donec venenatis ut nulla vel tincidunt. Donec id sem nec dolor vulputate consectetur non a mi. Aenean a tincidunt justo, vel mollis nisl. Sed condimentum, velit id sodales ultricies, lacus lectus consequat ligula, at pretium quam neque vitae ligula. Aliquam eget urna eget tellus mollis egestas a a ante. Nulla dapibus nibh condimentum magna elementum, ut fringilla lorem tincidunt. Sed congue maximus pharetra. Nam non nibh elit. Sed a malesuada dolor. Cras varius, sem eget convallis sollicitudin, mi lorem varius nunc, eu vehicula ex erat ac neque.
Magnify PR launches new website for George’s Law
Magnify PR is proud to announce the design, build and launch of the new official website for George’s Law, a campaign dedicated to securing new legal rights for parents who endure the devastating loss of a child.
The new site, www.georgeslaw.com, provides a digital home for the growing national movement, outlining the charity’s aims, sharing personal stories, and signposting how supporters can get involved in lobbying for vital legislative change.
George’s Law was founded by Keeley Lengthorn, a passionate campaigner who has worked tirelessly to ensure greater protection and support for parents who experience the tragedy of losing a baby or child.
Her mission has inspired national debate, cross-party political engagement, and widespread public backing.
Nick Owens, founder of Magnify PR, said: “It has been a privilege to help provide a home for the George’s Law crusade online. The work Keeley and her team are doing is incredibly important, they are fighting for the rights and recognition that parents enduring the heartbreaking loss of a child truly deserve.
“We’re proud that the new website clearly and effectively portrays George’s Law and signposts how people can get involved in supporting this vital initiative. Magnify PR looks forward to continuing to help the campaign lobby for change and achieve the new rights these families need and deserve.”
Keeley Lengthorn, founder of George’s Law, added: “I’m so grateful for the ongoing support of Magnify PR, who have stood shoulder to shoulder with me throughout my crusade. Their passion, creativity and belief in this cause mean the world, and this new website is another major step forward for our campaign.”
Magnify PR Expansion Continues Apace
In just two short years since its launch, Magnify PR has now firmly established itself as one of the UK’s most dynamic and fast-growing communications consultancies, and our momentum shows no signs of slowing.
We are now working with more than 30 clients, following a flurry of new partnerships across multiple sectors.
From national broadcasters and digital innovators to leading law firms and charitable organisations, Magnify PR’s client portfolio reflects the agency’s growing influence and reputation for delivering creative storytelling that drives tangible results.
Our impressive roster of clients now comprise: GB News, Champions UK plc, Champions Speakers, The Motivational Speakers Agency, Squid Group, Kingsley Bond Solicitors, AI Speakers Agency, Montrose Brown Law, Steve Bish Estate Planning, Frank Bruno Foundation, George’s Law, Lady Janey, House Buy Fast, Jonathan Rolande, Timberwise, Aqueous Digital, The Safe Woman, Connectus Group, Laura Hyde Foundation, National Association of Property Buyers, James Disney May, Drew Povey, Mistoria Group, UK Mortgage Centre, DropJaw Ventures, Board Champions, NED Advisors, Influencer Marketing, London Speakers Agency, Madison Mayfair, and Smith Partnership.
Magnify PR founder Nick Owens said:
“This milestone marks another significant chapter in Magnify PR’s growth story. Our expansion has been fuelled by a distinctive approach to strategic communications, combining traditional media expertise with cutting-edge digital storytelling and data-led insights.
“We’re incredibly proud of the journey Magnify PR has been on since launching just two years ago. To now be collaborating with more than 30 incredible clients is testament to the hard work and creativity of our growing team. Our philosophy is simple, we put creative storytelling that delivers tangible results at the heart of every PR strategy. That’s why we’re attracting a rising number of ambitious clients who want to stand out, connect with their audiences, and make a lasting impact.”
“We have big ambitions for 2026. Our goal is to continue expanding across the UK and internationally, strengthening our client relationships and evolving our service offering to meet the ever-changing demands of the modern media landscape.”
Magnify PR’s ongoing expansion reflects a growing demand for PR partners who combine journalistic insight with digital innovation, a formula that has quickly become the agency’s hallmark.
With new campaigns launching across property, finance, law, technology, and the charity sector, Magnify PR’s influence is set to grow even further in the months ahead.
“As we enter our third year, our strategy remains driven by one clear mission: to magnify the stories that matter most: for brands, businesses, and causes that want to be heard above the noise.”
A landmark legal victory for Magnify PR client
MAGNIFY PR has supported its client GB News to publicise news of a landmark legal victory. The People’s Channel comprehensively won its judicial review of TV regulator Ofcom’s decisions that two shows hosted by its presenter Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg breached the broadcasting Code.
In a landmark ruling, the High Court found Ofcom’s conclusions, that two GB News broadcasts on 9 May and 13 June 2023, breached the Code’s due impartiality and content regulations, were unlawful.
As a result, the Court has quashed the decisions and awarded GB News its legal costs.
OFCOM will not be appealing the judgment.
The historic judgment is the first time the broadcasting watchdog has lost a judicial review of one of its decisions in relation to the Broadcasting Code.
In response to the decision GB News’ Chief Executive Officer, Angelos Frangopoulos, said today (Friday February 28):
“This landmark decision by the High Court vindicates GB News’ position as the fearless defender of Free Speech in the United Kingdom.
“Our court victory is hugely significant for the entire British broadcasting industry. We are proud that we were the only media company prepared to have the courage of our convictions.
“Ofcom has been found to have acted unlawfully so much so that it even breached Human Rights law.”
Magnify PR has been working with GB News for the last three years and has helped to play a leading role in the unstoppable growth of the People’s Channel.
Magnify PR launches major new awards for young business stars
MAGNIFY PR is behind a major new awards ceremony – recognising young entrepreneurial talent. We’ve helped to launch the Chester Business Club Young Person Business Awards.
Magnify will sponsor the event which will hand out a series of Awards in July.
Children at senior school, sixth-formers, and those aged up to 25 running a business in Chester, will have the chance to scoop prizes in the newly-created CBC Young Person Business Awards. Prizes will include access to mentoring from members of the Chester Business Club, hundreds of pounds of Chester Bid vouchers to spend in the City, and tickets to a Summer awards ceremony where trophies and certificates will be handed out.
A host of top local businesses have come forward to sponsor the awards including Chartered Surveyors DEESURVEYS; Aqueous Digital, who specialise in SEO and reputation management, and the digital marketing agency, Fly High Media. Also sponsoring the event is city-based media-firm, Magnify PR.
Magnify PR Founder Nick Owens is a member of the Chester Business Club’s Executive Council, who is overseeing the awards, said: “Chester is home to some amazing young people, and brilliant young business brains. These Awards aim to celebrate this, and to help encourage a new generation of business leaders who can drive innovation and growth across our great city. “These awards are one of a kind, and provide an especially unique opportunity for school children and those at college who have entrepreneurial ambitions to be both rewarded.”
Magnify PR helps campaigner to secure law change
MAGNIFY PR has helped secure a change in the law which will support up to 250,000 a year. Since 2022 we’ve been working alongside crusading solicitor Keeley Lengthorn in her fight to bring about George’s Law.
The campaign was lobbying for a change in the law – which will give two weeks paid leave to parents who lose a baby. Keeley launched the campaign following the death of her son George who was born at 22 and half weeks on 3rd March 2022.
On 3 March 2025 – on what would have been George’s third birthday – came the news that the law would change.
Keeley said: “I’d like to say a huge thank you to Magnify PR. Without their support this law change would not have happened. They’ve been at my side every step of the way. They were the driving force.”
Nick Owens, founder of Magnify PR, said: “Supporting campaigns and magnifying the work of fighters like Keeley exist within the DNA at Magnify PR.
“We are so proud that this three year campaign has ended with a successful outcome and that the law will now change. This is the least George and his inspirational parents, Keeley and Will deserve.”