Karen Forster is an entrepreneur, investor, model, speaker, and founder of Aliya Capital, the first female founded Search Fund in the UK. An entrepreneur with a background in finance, investing, and technology, she founded Aliya Capital with the intention to buy and build an enduring UK technology company with a... Read more
The benefits of buying and building a business as a path to entrepreneurship
Why building and scaling a technology business is one of the most purposeful acts you can do to contribute to Europe’s economies
Why excellence and meritocracy will always matter more than quotas / tick the box exercises
Why we need to look beyond gender and ethnicity when considering diversity and inclusion in the workplace
The importance of failure as feedback and using failure as a stepping stone to success
The importance of believing in yourself and your capabilities will propel you further than any intelligence will
Why ruthless prioritization and letting go of perfection are crucial to juggling multiple personal and professional responsibilities
Karen Forster is an entrepreneur, investor, model, speaker, and founder of Aliya Capital, the first female founded Search Fund in the UK. An entrepreneur with a background in finance, investing, and technology, she founded Aliya Capital with the intention to buy and build an enduring UK technology company with a global remit.
Starting her career as an M&A investment banker at Goldman Sachs, Karen went on to build a career in finance and investing prior to transitioning to entrepreneurship. She spent a decade working in private equity and venture capital for world-leading investment firms such as The Carlyle Group.
In recognition for her contribution to financial services, she was recognized as a member of the Young Leaders Circle by the Milken Institute, Global Shaper by the World Economic Forum, and one of 35 women under 35 by Management Today. Her work has been featured in The Telegraph, The Financial Times, TechCrunch, among others.
Passionate about the role that education can play in elevating individuals from marginalized communities, Karen has served as a board director for The Creative Education Trust, an academy trust of approx. 20 schools in the UK, and Digital Divide Data, a social enterprise focused on technology skills training for young adults based in emerging markets.
Born and raised in London, Karen holds an MA in History from the University of Cambridge, UK, and an MBA in finance from Columbia Business School New York, where she was a value-investing program graduate.
As a woman, an ethnic minority of British, Jewish, and Ugandan heritage, and a former child in care, she frequently speaks on diversity and inclusion, entrepreneurship via acquisition, fintech, innovation and technology, juggling caring / parental responsibilities with career progression, mental strength and resilience, private equity and venture capital, women in business, and women in technology.
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You can book Karen Forster through London Speaker Bureau by submitting the enquiry form on this page or calling our team. One of our consultants will respond promptly with Karen's current availability, speaking fees and any specific requirements for your event.
Karen Forster'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 Karen tailored to your event.
Karen Forster speaks on Business & Management, Diversity, Entrepreneurs, Inspirational Women, Motivation. Talks can be shaped around your audience, industry and strategic objectives - share your event brief with London Speaker Bureau and we will work with Karen to align the content with your delegates and goals.
London Speaker Bureau can book Karen Forster for events worldwide, subject to Karen'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 Karen Forster 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 Karen can accommodate.
London Speaker Bureau will brief Karen Forster 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 Karen can offer.
Karen Forster 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.
Karen Forster's areas of expertise include Business & Management, Diversity, Entrepreneurs, Inspirational Women, Motivation. To get a clear sense of Karen'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.
Karen Forster 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, Diversity, Entrepreneurs, Inspirational Women, Motivation is relevant. Details of Karen'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 Karen Forster 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 Karen Forster, particularly during peak conference seasons. Where possible we also accommodate shorter lead times - please contact London Speaker Bureau to check Karen's current availability for your dates.