Share
Jan  van der Spoel Profile Picture

Keynote SpeakerJan van der Spoel

Trust Expert, Leadership Advisor and Creator of the 360° Trust Model

Putting trust at the heart of leadership and collaboration. Jan van der Spoel does not deliver a feel-good story about trust. He hands your audience a working method they can use the next morning. He makes trust visible, discussable and, above all, actionable.... Read more

Watch Jan van der Spoel in action

Popular Talks by Jan van der Spoel

  • How to Increase Trust Without Changing Your Organisation

    Effective collaboration is the difference between hassle, sluggishness and resistance on one side, and success, speed and job satisfaction on the other. In this keynote Jan explains why strong relationships are the engine of any organisation, and shows how trust works, how to assess it, how to improve it and…
  • AI Makes Organisations Adaptable. Trust Makes Them Resilient

    Adaptability without resilience is just organised chaos. Every organisation is under pressure to move faster, automate more and implement AI, and rightly so. But the ones that truly thrive are those where people trust each other enough to use the technology well, adapt when it fails and stay connected when…
  • BDSM in the Boardroom: What Leaders Can Learn About Trust When It Matters Most

    Few relationships put trust under more deliberate pressure than those built on an explicit exchange of power. And few handle it more carefully. In consensual power-exchange dynamics nothing is assumed: every boundary is negotiated, consent is explicit and ongoing, there is always a word that stops everything without consequence, and…
  • Why Most New Leadership Positions Fail (and How to Fix It)

    60% of first-time managers fail within 18 months, half of mid-career executives are disengaged and nearing burnout, many CEOs do not last 18 months in a new role, and two in three female managers leave the corporate world altogether. Jan explores the root causes behind these figures and offers a…
  • Female Leadership in a Male World

    Male behaviour is still the norm in business, and unconscious patterns continue to make it harder for women to gain respect and build careers. It is rarely intentional, but it is the reality. Jan, the son of a mother who earned her PhD on motherhood and work, shares his insights…

Biography

What if the thing slowing your organisation down is not talent, strategy or systems, but trust?

Jan van der Spoel spent more than 25 years as a creative director in corporate communication, helping brands such as Unilever, the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB), Philips and Nutricia shape their message and strategy. Over time he saw a clear pattern: whether the issue was leadership, collaboration or performance, the underlying driver was almost always trust.

Today Jan is a trust expert, author, keynote speaker, mentor and mediator. He is the founder of Grip on Trust and the creator of the 360° Trust Compass, a practical framework of six principles and 24 aspects for diagnosing and repairing trust in professional relationships. Drawing on management science, behavioural psychology, neuroscience and sociology, he turns the invisible dynamics of trust into clear, actionable patterns. One insight stands out: the ability to recognise patterns is a crucial leadership skill.

His many roles serve a single purpose: making trust tangible. As a thinker he analyses the dynamics that shape relationships. As a designer he turns those insights into frameworks. As a writer, speaker and mentor he helps leaders apply them. As a mediator he puts trust to the test where others see only conflict. Across all of it the mission is the same: to turn trust from a vague ideal into a strategic asset.

Jan van der Spoel shows leaders that the quality of relationships determines collaboration, agility and resilience. This does not mean everyone has to be friends. It means there is trust where it matters. A good relationship does not imply the absence of disagreement either; it means having a constructive way of dealing with it. That is what separates teams that get stuck from teams that move forward.

He serves as a sparring partner to CEOs and a mentor to first-time managers, and supports organisations through leadership transitions, culture change and complex stakeholder dynamics, always through the lens of trust. He is known for clear thinking, sharp analysis and an engaging delivery that offers not just insight but a way forward, especially valuable in a VUCA world where trust is often the missing piece in decision-making, execution and collaboration. He speaks in English and Dutch and tailors every engagement to the goals of the event.

Ready to invite Jan van der Spoel to your event?

Tell us about your event, one of our consultants will reach out within 24 hours.

What clients say about Jan van der Spoel

“Jan van der Spoel understands the value that trust brings to any relationship. He has developed a methodology for managing trust in workplace relationships that is the most comprehensive and the most practical that I have seen.” Thomas McNeil, Corporate Trust & Reputation Consultant
“I consider Jan the Simon Sinek of the Netherlands. Jan is an expert on trust, not just why it is important, but how it works and how to build it.” Chris Baldwin, PhD MBA
“Jan inspired and moved us with his message about 360° trust. It underlined how important attention to relationships really is.” Denise Melchels, Province of Gelderland
“Jan spoke at the HEINEKEN Nederland Supply leadership event. His fireside chat gave the group a good idea of what it takes to build trust at work. Thanks, Jan!” Kimra Morgownik, Change & Communication, HEINEKEN
“It was amazing, Jan. You have created a fantastic workshop that the whole team has learned from.” Nynke Visser, Chief Trust & Events, Seats2meet
“Jan's insights helped me improve the relationship with my manager. My work has become much more satisfying.” Sander de Bruin, Manager Manufacturing Engineering

How to book Jan van der Spoel as a keynote speaker

How do I book Jan van der Spoel for a keynote speech?

You can book Jan van der Spoel through London Speaker Bureau by submitting the enquiry form on this page or calling our team. One of our consultants will respond promptly with Jan's current availability, speaking fees and any specific requirements for your event.

What are Jan van der Spoel's speaking fees?

Jan van der Spoel'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 Jan tailored to your event.

What topics does Jan van der Spoel speak about?

Jan van der Spoel speaks on Business & Management, Change, Communication, Conflict Resolution, Diversity. Talks can be shaped around your audience, industry and strategic objectives - share your event brief with London Speaker Bureau and we will work with Jan to align the content with your delegates and goals.

Is Jan van der Spoel available for international events?

London Speaker Bureau can book Jan van der Spoel for events worldwide, subject to Jan'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 Jan van der Spoel 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 Jan van der Spoel 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 Jan van der Spoel?

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 Jan can accommodate.

Can Jan van der Spoel tailor the keynote to our industry and audience?

London Speaker Bureau will brief Jan van der Spoel 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 Jan can offer.

What languages does Jan van der Spoel present in?

Jan van der Spoel delivers keynotes in Dutch, 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 Jan van der Spoel a strong fit as a keynote speaker?

Jan van der Spoel's areas of expertise include Business & Management, Change, Communication, Conflict Resolution, Diversity. To get a clear sense of Jan'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 Jan van der Spoel speak at?

Jan van der Spoel can be booked through London Speaker Bureau for corporate conferences, leadership events, internal team meetings, association gatherings and private client engagements where expertise in Business & Management, Change, Communication, Conflict Resolution, Diversity is relevant. Details of Jan'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 Jan van der Spoel 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 Jan van der Spoel is able to offer alongside or instead of a keynote.

How far in advance should we book Jan van der Spoel?

We generally recommend enquiring at least three to twelve months in advance to secure your preferred date with Jan van der Spoel, particularly during peak conference seasons. Where possible we also accommodate shorter lead times - please contact London Speaker Bureau to check Jan's current availability for your dates.