Chris Hirst – Keynote Speaker

Change Agent, former Global CEO Havas Creative Group and author of UK Business Book of the Year, No Bullsh*t Leadership

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Specialist Subjects

  • No Bullsh*t Leadership
  • Revolution: Leading Change
  • Superpower: What culture is and why it matters

Language

  • English

Biography

Chris Hirst is a change agent, widely recognised as an innovative and inspirational leader and speaker. He is the former Global CEO of Havas Creative Group and UK CEO of Grey (part of WPP). After more than a decade in CEO positions he has a proven track record of leading successful transformation programmes, guiding his businesses to record growth, product reinvention, reputational change and a culture of enduring success. He is founder of leadership consultancy Dogsbody Group, speaker, columnist and author.

His first book, No Bullsh*t Leadership (Profile Books, 2019) has been a No.1 best-seller for over 36 months and is available around the world. It was named UK Business Book of the Year in March 2020. Based on his hard-won experience this smart, engaging book wipes away the bullshit that surrounds conventional leadership theory and is a proven step-by-step working manual on how to lead – for anyone. Full of universally applicable and direct advice, it demystifies an over-analysed subject to get to the heart of modern leadership: the life-changing, career-transforming power to get stuff done. A recommended essential read in the FT, it was described by Sir Clive Woodward as, ‘a brilliant set of leadership tools that will help you succeed, whatever your goals.’

As Global CEO, Havas Creative Group Chris led more than 10,000 people across all Havas’ global territories, taking the business from an ‘also ran’ to second place in Campaign Magazine’s global rankings in three short years. He oversaw two years of record growth and profits and was shortlisted as global CEO of the year in 2022. During his 5-year tenure as UK CEO of Grey (part of WPP), the agency more than tripled in size, and quadrupled its profit during its transformation into one of the hottest, fastest growing and most creatively respected agencies in the world.

A graduate of Brasenose College Oxford (MEng Engineering Science) and Harvard Business School (Advanced Management Program), Chris writes a monthly column for Management Today, is the founder of leadership consultancy Dogsbody Group Ltd, has over ½ million listens for his No Bullsh*t Leadership podcast, and is a regular commentator in press and broadcast media.

Popular Talks by Chris Hirst

No Bullsh*t Leadership

Based on the best-selling and award-winning book of the same name.

Leadership is difficult but not complicated. Chris wipes aways the guff and bullshit to get to the heart of modern leadership: the life-changing, career-transforming power to get stuff done.

Revolution: Leading Change

The only constant we now face is change, and the demand for those who can grasp its opportunities has never been greater.

Drawing on over a decade of experience leading successful change programmes around the world, Chris shares his proven strategies for team, organisational and cultural transformation.

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