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Keynote Speaker
Ger Graus OBE
Global Director of Education, KidZania
Popular talks
- Measuring What We Value
- Leadership and Management
- The World of Work, Entrepreneurship, and Schooling
- Business for Good: Return on Investment versus Return on Involvement
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Talks
Popular talks by Ger Graus OBE
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Measuring What We Value
Or just continue to value what we can measure? What are our values? Who owns them and keeps them alive? The world of work will have to look beyond the Return on Investment motive to thrive. Values-driven enterprises in the 2020s and beyond will determine survival and success. Our approaches…
Or just continue to value what we can measure? What are our values? Who owns them and keeps them alive? The world of work will have to look beyond the Return on Investment motive to thrive. Values-driven enterprises in the 2020s and beyond will determine survival and success. Our approaches will have to change, whether in the classroom or in the boardroom.
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Leadership and Management
The key ingredients to organizational success. But who are the leaders, and who are the managers? Or is leadership a case of Johan Cruijff’s “Total Football”? Are we all leaders and are we all managers?
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The World of Work, Entrepreneurship, and Schooling
In a schooling world that is ever more about teaching and testing, where is there room for the creativity and innovation of entrepreneurship? Are we creating a world where entrepreneurship is the domain of the few and the rich? Should we not aim for everyone to be an entrepreneur, ranging…
In a schooling world that is ever more about teaching and testing, where is there room for the creativity and innovation of entrepreneurship? Are we creating a world where entrepreneurship is the domain of the few and the rich? Should we not aim for everyone to be an entrepreneur, ranging from social to cultural and commercial entrepreneurship?
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Business for Good: Return on Investment versus Return on Involvement
What will determine success for the business of the future? For the business that needs to live with Generation Z and beyond? Is it simply a matter of return on investment and counting the profits? Or have we moved on, and is something more afoot? Will return on involvement determine…
What will determine success for the business of the future? For the business that needs to live with Generation Z and beyond? Is it simply a matter of return on investment and counting the profits? Or have we moved on, and is something more afoot? Will return on involvement determine how businesses become successful and how corporate and social responsibility sits at the center of this success?
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Futures Awareness, aka Careers and Skills Education
In a world where stereotypes are set early, and career exploration seems to be happening later and later, what are the chances for young people to be world-of-work ready and possess the broadest possible skill sets? How does schooling need to change, and how does the world of work need…
In a world where stereotypes are set early, and career exploration seems to be happening later and later, what are the chances for young people to be world-of-work ready and possess the broadest possible skill sets? How does schooling need to change, and how does the world of work need to come off the fence and lend a helping hand in the education of future workforces?
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Experience-Based Learning
Experience is everything. How we connect the real world with the classroom (or the office in the case of grown-ups) will determine the quality of our lifelong learning. The environment is the third teacher.
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EdTech
“There is too much Tech and not enough Ed!” We need to stop kidding ourselves that technology alone will provide all the solutions to all our problems. Good teachers (and good people) are the real answer. A journey from GoodTech to Tech4Good.
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EduTainment
What has entertainment to offer to education and schooling? Is EduTainment just a money-spinning gimmick or can it really make difference?
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The Importance of Early Years
Why do we educationally invest at least three times as much in older students than younger ones? We water trees at the root and build our houses by starting with the foundation, yet in schooling and education, we almost ignore the first five years. There is a price to pay.…
Why do we educationally invest at least three times as much in older students than younger ones? We water trees at the root and build our houses by starting with the foundation, yet in schooling and education, we almost ignore the first five years. There is a price to pay. The report card of life says: “Must do better!”
Biography
About Ger Graus OBE
Professor Dr Ger Graus OBE is a renowned figure in the field of education – described as both “Jean-Jacques Rousseau meets Willy Wonka” and as “standing along Antoine de Saint Exupéry and Gianni Rodari as the best broadcasters of the children’s voice”. He was the first Global Director of Education at KidZania, the founding CEO of the Children’s University, and an Adjunct Fellow at the University of Adelaide, Australia. In 2019, Ger became a Visiting and Associate Professor at the National Research University in Moscow, Russia. He is also a Professor of Practice at the University of Cumbria, United Kingdom, and a Member of the PhD Advisory Council at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy. Ger is a frequent keynote speaker at some of the world’s leading education conferences. Driven by his famous mantra that “Children can only aspire to what they know exists”, Ger champions the cause of equity, progress, purpose, creativity, and innovation in children’s learning and their futures.
Born in the Netherlands, Ger Graus moved to the United Kingdom in 1983 where he began his teaching career, later becoming a Senior Inspector, and Education Director.
Ger is a member of Bett’s Global Education Council, DIDAC India’s Advisory Board, and Junior Achievement’s Worldwide Global Council. He advises the Childbase Partnership’s Board and chairs their International Development Advisory Board, United Kingdom. He also chairs the Beaconhouse School System’s Advisory Board, Pakistan, and advises the Fondazione Reggio Children, Italy. Globally Ger supports a range of organisations, businesses, and education start-ups. In 2018, he was invited to help shape the future of education in Dubai as a member of the Dubai Future Councils and in 2024, Ger was invited onto the Board of Trustees of the Sharjah Education Academy by Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qassimi, Ruler of Sharjah. In 2023, he joined the Global Teacher Prize Judging and the World’s Best School Prize Academies as a judge.
In the 2014 Queen’s Birthday Honours List Ger was made an Honorary Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to children, two years after he received an Honorary Doctorate from Staffordshire University, United Kingdom. In 2018 he received the Global Education Leadership Award at the World Education Congress, India and in 2022, he was granted the award of Iconic Leader Creating A Better World For All by the Women’s Economic Forum (WEF). The following year, in 2023, Ger was made a Companion of the Harry Volker Genootschap in The Netherlands. In 2025 and 2026, Ger was named Education Thought Leader of the Year by Acquisition International.
Ger’s professional autobiography, Through a Different Lens – Lessons from a Life in Education, was published by Routledge in 2025, in hardback, paperback and audio versions.
Testimonials
What clients say about Ger Graus OBE
“Jean-Jacques Rousseau meets Willy Wonka' is how I describe Ger in my book, and I'm standing by it. He's a brilliant education thinker, a champion of true learning and a wise and wonderful human being.”
“Ger's exceptional vision, total focus on developing the 'whole child' and ability to realise incredible opportunities for children outside of the classroom are inspiring. The fact that he was able to take this work to his role at KidZania where so many children on a global scale are able to experience these real-life inspirational 'eye openers' as I term them is not surprising given his energy and drive and belief in the 'hands on' experiences of the real world in developing young people. Eleven years and three organisations on after I first heard Ger first speak I am delighted that our children still benefit from his contributions and leadership.”
“… Ger is a pioneer and a visionary. His dedication and passion for making a positive impact on the lives of all children is truly inspirational. You can't help but glow under his light …”
How to book Ger Graus OBE
Answers on fees, availability and booking process.
How do I book Ger Graus OBE for a keynote speech?
You can book Ger Graus 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 Ger's current availability, speaking fees and any specific requirements for your event.
What are Ger Graus OBE's speaking fees?
Ger Graus 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 Ger tailored to your event.
What topics does Ger Graus OBE speak about?
Ger Graus OBE speaks on Authors, Education, Entrepreneurs, Future of Work, Learning. Talks can be shaped around your audience, industry and strategic objectives - share your event brief with London Speaker Bureau and we will work with Ger to align the content with your delegates and goals.
Is Ger Graus OBE available for international events?
London Speaker Bureau can book Ger Graus OBE for events worldwide, subject to Ger'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 Ger Graus 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 Ger Graus 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 Ger Graus 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 Ger can accommodate.
Can Ger Graus OBE tailor the keynote to our industry and audience?
London Speaker Bureau will brief Ger Graus 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 Ger can offer.
What languages does Ger Graus OBE present in?
Ger Graus OBE 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.
What makes Ger Graus OBE a strong fit as a keynote speaker?
Ger Graus OBE's areas of expertise include Authors, Education, Entrepreneurs, Future of Work, Learning. To get a clear sense of Ger'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 Ger Graus OBE speak at?
Ger Graus 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 Authors, Education, Entrepreneurs, Future of Work, Learning is relevant. Details of Ger'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 Ger Graus 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 Ger Graus OBE is able to offer alongside or instead of a keynote.
How far in advance should we book Ger Graus OBE?
We generally recommend enquiring at least three to twelve months in advance to secure your preferred date with Ger Graus OBE, particularly during peak conference seasons. Where possible we also accommodate shorter lead times - please contact London Speaker Bureau to check Ger's current availability for your dates.
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