Former professional footballer Clarke Carlisle is renowned as one of the most articulate and insightful voices in the modern game. Drawing on his experiences on and off the pitch, he speaks powerfully about mental health, resilience, diversity and inclusion.... Read more
Former footballer Clarke Carlisle is noted as one of the most eloquent, insightful voices in the modern game. He gained a great deal of acclaim and recognition in his time and his work speaking up against racism, homophobia and other excesses of the game on and off the pitch.
Starting his career at Blackpool FC Clarke proved himself a capable central defender and scored in just his second professional appearance. He went on to play for QPR, Leeds United, Watford, and a number of league teams. He also helped Burnley secure their place in the Premier League for the first time ever.
It was off the pitch, however, that Clarke became best known. He was vocal and passionate about his own battles with drink and depression which led to a spell at the Sporting Chance Clinic. Clarke spoke openly about both the difficulty in dealing with such issues in sport and also the reluctance to discuss mental health more widely.
Clarke’s work in these areas, combined with his reputation as Britain’s cleverest footballer, saw him appointed Chair of the PFA, the footballers’ union. He was outspoken on areas around race and racism, players’ wages, and other controversial issues in and around the game. He became a regular commentator in the media offering an inside perspective on stories within the sport.
In presentations Clarke recounts his own story, the highs and the lows. He considers what it takes to achieve, and also to overcome apparently impossible odds. He examines what makes a team effective, the lessons to be learned from football, and also how his personal experience can inform how mental health is viewed.
Clarke has featured on news and sports programmes on ITV, Sky and the BBC, including Match of the Day 2. Away from sport he has appeared on Question Time, Countdown (where he won twice) and fronted his own BBC Three documentaries on mental health and racism in football.
Tell us about your event, one of our consultants will reach out within 24 hours.
You can book Clarke Carlisle through London Speaker Bureau by submitting the enquiry form on this page or calling our team. One of our consultants will respond promptly with Clarke's current availability, speaking fees and any specific requirements for your event.
Clarke Carlisle'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 Clarke tailored to your event.
Clarke Carlisle speaks on Leadership, Leadership & Motivation, Mental Health, Performance, Society & Education. Talks can be shaped around your audience, industry and strategic objectives - share your event brief with London Speaker Bureau and we will work with Clarke to align the content with your delegates and goals.
London Speaker Bureau can book Clarke Carlisle for events worldwide, subject to Clarke's schedule. Please send us your event date, location and format and we will confirm availability and handle travel and logistics on your behalf.
Virtual and hybrid keynotes are now a standard part of the speaking industry. Please contact London Speaker Bureau to confirm whether Clarke Carlisle is available to deliver a virtual session for your event and on which platform (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, a bespoke studio or your own).
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 Clarke can accommodate.
London Speaker Bureau will brief Clarke Carlisle 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 Clarke can offer.
Clarke Carlisle delivers keynotes in English. 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.
Clarke Carlisle's areas of expertise include Leadership, Leadership & Motivation, Mental Health, Performance, Society & Education. To get a clear sense of Clarke'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.
Clarke Carlisle can be booked through London Speaker Bureau for corporate conferences, leadership events, internal team meetings, association gatherings and private client engagements where expertise in Leadership, Leadership & Motivation, Mental Health, Performance, Society & Education is relevant. Details of Clarke'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.
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 Clarke Carlisle is able to offer alongside or instead of a keynote.
We generally recommend enquiring at least three to twelve months in advance to secure your preferred date with Clarke Carlisle, particularly during peak conference seasons. Where possible we also accommodate shorter lead times - please contact London Speaker Bureau to check Clarke's current availability for your dates.