Interviews
Interview with Belinda Parmar OBE – Founder and CEO of The Empathy Business
Belinda Parmar is the creator of the Global Empathy Index published in…
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Keynote Speaker
Belinda Parmar OBE
Leading authority on empathy, technology and business performance
Popular talks
- Human Leadership in an AI World
- Courageous Conversations
- Marginal Gains using AI and empathy
- Human Leadership in an AI World
Talks
Popular talks by Belinda Parmar OBE
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Human Leadership in an AI World
Artificial intelligence is reshaping the way we live and work, but it cannot replicate the essence of what makes us human: our ability to connect, to feel, and to lead with empathy. In this keynote, Belinda Parmar OBE explores what human leadership means in an AI-driven world. She will answer…
Artificial intelligence is reshaping the way we live and work, but it cannot replicate the essence of what makes us human: our ability to connect, to feel, and to lead with empathy. In this keynote, Belinda Parmar OBE explores what human leadership means in an AI-driven world.
She will answer three big questions:
1. Can AI fake feelings, and what does that mean for trust in organisations?
2. How can leaders use empathy as a measurable, practical tool rather than a soft skill?
3. What does human leadership look like in the age of algorithms, automation, and constant change?
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Courageous Conversations
Drawing on Belinda’s lessons from working with hostage negotiators, this session shows leaders how to navigate difficult conversations with empathy, not ego.
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Marginal Gains using AI and empathy
Discover how small, strategic nudges rooted in EQ can create lasting cultural change — one empathy nudge at a time.
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Human Leadership in an AI World
AI is reshaping the way we live and work, yet it cannot replicate the essence of what makes us human: our ability to connect, to feel, and to lead with empathy. In this keynote, Belinda explores what human leadership means in an AI-driven world, drawing on her experience working with…
AI is reshaping the way we live and work, yet it cannot replicate the essence of what makes us human: our ability to connect, to feel, and to lead with empathy. In this keynote, Belinda explores what human leadership means in an AI-driven world, drawing on her experience working with client-led service organisations across the United States, Australia, South Africa, and the UK, and how leaders can navigate this new world order. Audiences leave with practical tools for making the leadership calls AI cannot make for them and the confidence to lead this new world with humanity.
Belinda will answer three big questions:
1. Can AI fake feelings, and what does that mean for trust in organisations?
2. How can leaders use empathy as a measurable, practical tool rather than a soft skill?
3. What does human leadership look like in the age of algorithms, automation and constant change?
Biography
About Belinda Parmar OBE
As CEO of The Empathy Business and a Non Executive Director for the Ministry of Defence, Belinda has spent two decades helping global organisations including Lexus, Lloyds Bank, Barclays Bank, AGL, Toyota, Aston Martin, and AB InBev turn empathy from a soft aspiration into a hard commercial advantage and a driver of genuine service excellence.
Her Empathy & Empowerment Programme for Barclays, where she trained over 200 Fraud & Complaints advisors through deep collaboration with frontline teams, delivered a 9% uplift in net promoter rates and a 7.5% reduction in call handling times — proof that empathy and efficiency are
not opposites, but partners. Her work with AGL produced a 20.9% reduction in customer complaints and $1.7 million in cost savings, demonstrating that empathy-led transformation is not just impactful but scalable across industries and continents. Her Global Empathy Index, published in the Harvard Business Review, connects empathy rankings directly to earnings, productivity, and retention.
A qualified barrister, OBE recipient, a non-executive Director for the MOD and World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, she is currently writing a leadership playbook for Penguin Random House on turning empathy into a practical toolkit for the AI era.
Testimonials
What clients say about Belinda Parmar OBE
"Your presentation on Human Leadership in an AI World really resonated with our people. I particularly love that shift from inspiration to action. I feel empowered to do, instead of just talking about it now. Thank you and what an amazing event!"
"Belinda is a natural speaker, her delivery is clear, controlled and engaging. She was able to seamlessly apply the talk to topics relevant to the finance industry. When asked challenging questions, Belinda answered with honesty and passion. Our feedback in the room was fantastic and undoubtedly everyone had some great actions to take away with them."
"The Empathy Business has helped us shift our culture in a way that's driving commercial results and delivering excellence. Their approach is practical, and it sticks. Our monthly Empathy Squad keeps momentum at a leadership level, while customer facing teams are given tools they can use to better meet customer needs. Our teams have loved the training that has been provided. We’ve seen improvements in promoter scores, faster call handling, and more teams meeting our call quality standards. Empathy and customer experience, working together."
‘‘Belinda was amazing – absolutely amazing feedback!’’
“Belinda’s session was a great finish to our leadership conference. I think she delivered exactly what we wanted at what was probably not the easiest session at the end of the day on a Friday.”
“Belinda provided the perfect blend of thought-provoking insights and real-world practicality. The audience was highly engaged from start to finish, and her energy and humour was perfectly pitched.”
How to book Belinda Parmar OBE
Answers on fees, availability and booking process.
How do I book Belinda Parmar OBE for a keynote speech?
You can book Belinda Parmar OBE through London Speaker Bureau by submitting the enquiry form on this page or calling our team. One of our consultants will respond promptly with Belinda's current availability, speaking fees and any specific requirements for your event.
What are Belinda Parmar OBE's speaking fees?
Belinda Parmar OBE's speaking fees depend on the event format (in-person or virtual), the location, the length of the engagement and the level of customisation required. Please contact London Speaker Bureau for an up-to-date fee quote for Belinda tailored to your event.
What topics does Belinda Parmar OBE speak about?
Belinda Parmar OBE speaks on Artificial Intelligence, Customer Experience, Future of Work, Leadership, Strategy. Talks can be shaped around your audience, industry and strategic objectives - share your event brief with London Speaker Bureau and we will work with Belinda to align the content with your delegates and goals.
Is Belinda Parmar OBE available for international events?
London Speaker Bureau can book Belinda Parmar OBE for events worldwide, subject to Belinda's schedule. Please send us your event date, location and format and we will confirm availability and handle travel and logistics on your behalf.
Does Belinda Parmar OBE deliver virtual or online keynotes?
Virtual and hybrid keynotes are now a standard part of the speaking industry. Please contact London Speaker Bureau to confirm whether Belinda Parmar OBE is available to deliver a virtual session for your event and on which platform (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, a bespoke studio or your own).
How long is a typical keynote by Belinda Parmar OBE?
Most keynote speeches run between 45 and 60 minutes, often followed by a 15-30 minute Q&A. Other formats - shorter conference slots, panel appearances or longer workshop sessions - may also be possible. Share your agenda with London Speaker Bureau and we will confirm what Belinda can accommodate.
Can Belinda Parmar OBE tailor the keynote to our industry and audience?
London Speaker Bureau will brief Belinda Parmar OBE on your audience profile, sector and objectives so the keynote can be shaped around your event. The level of customisation possible depends on the speaker and the lead time - contact us with your brief and we will confirm what Belinda can offer.
What languages does Belinda Parmar OBE present in?
Belinda Parmar OBE delivers keynotes in English, French, Spanish. This profile may not list every language available; ask London Speaker Bureau to confirm. If you require simultaneous interpretation or a multilingual format, please mention this in your enquiry and London Speaker Bureau will arrange it for you.
What makes Belinda Parmar OBE a strong fit as a keynote speaker?
Belinda Parmar OBE's areas of expertise include Artificial Intelligence, Customer Experience, Future of Work, Leadership, Strategy. To get a clear sense of Belinda's style, credentials and how they engage an audience, please review the biography, popular talks and any videos or testimonials shown on this page, or request a detailed speaker brief from London Speaker Bureau.
What kind of events can Belinda Parmar OBE speak at?
Belinda Parmar OBE can be booked through London Speaker Bureau for corporate conferences, leadership events, internal team meetings, association gatherings and private client engagements where expertise in Artificial Intelligence, Customer Experience, Future of Work, Leadership, Strategy is relevant. Details of Belinda's background and previous engagements are included in the biography above; contact us if you would like a more detailed list of past clients or case studies.
Does Belinda Parmar OBE offer workshops, panels or fireside chats in addition to keynotes?
Beyond keynote speeches, many of the speakers on our roster also take part in workshops, executive masterclasses, panel discussions and fireside chats. Contact London Speaker Bureau with your preferred format and we will confirm what Belinda Parmar OBE is able to offer alongside or instead of a keynote.
How far in advance should we book Belinda Parmar OBE?
We generally recommend enquiring at least three to twelve months in advance to secure your preferred date with Belinda Parmar OBE, particularly during peak conference seasons. Where possible we also accommodate shorter lead times - please contact London Speaker Bureau to check Belinda's current availability for your dates.
Insights
Read our latest post about Belinda Parmar OBE
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