Kirk Kinnell Profile Picture

Keynote SpeakerKirk Kinnell

Retired hostage negotiator

Kirk is an active professional negotiator and former highly experienced police negotiator. He has been deployed as the lead negotiator on a number of occasions where UK nationals have been kidnapped abroad. He has instructed on Hostage and Crisis Negotiation since 2001, within the UK and abroad. As the recent... Read more

Biography

Kirk is an active professional negotiator and former highly experienced police negotiator. He has been deployed as the lead negotiator on a number of occasions where UK nationals have been kidnapped abroad.

He has instructed on Hostage and Crisis Negotiation since 2001, within the UK and abroad. As the recent Head of Hostage Negotiation and Armed Policing in Scotland, he has a unique insight into both disciplines, which complement each other in the resolution of conflict.

He has spoken at various National Conferences including Columbus Ohio, Sweden, Dubai, Japan and has instructed internationally at the Hostage Crisis Negotiator Course of the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) in Quantico, Virginia, USA.

He represented the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) on the U.K. Government Counter Terrorist Bilateral Assistance Programme by training the Philippine National Police.

In 2017, he was the lead advisor to U.S. Law Enforcement on Conflict Resolution, Decision Making and De-escalation of Force, facilitating training in Boston, Washington, New York, Savannah and New Orleans.

He currently shares his experience and delivers training for both the Humanitarian Organisations and Private Sector on Decision Making, Negotiation, Listening and Influencing Skills throughout the U.K. and beyond to places like New Zealand, Brazil, Singapore, China, Oman, Dubai, Lebanon, Republic of Ireland, Holland, Denmark, Germany, Poland, Switzerland, Serbia, France, Belgium and Italy.

As a professional negotiator, he has been involved in numerous financial and contract disputes, finding resolutions for his clients. Working on multimillion pound deals, he has recently saved clients seven, eight and nine figure amounts.

He is an associate of ADN Group (Paris) and is currently employed as a consultant with the CCHN Humanitarian Negotiation Organisation.

In terms of Higher Education, he has a BA Degree in Policing Studies from Strathclyde University and a Certificate in Terrorism Studies from St Andrews University.

He currently delivers training to students in the UK at the University of St Andrews and Cambridge. Outwith The UK, he also he delivers training on the Executive MBA programme at the Universities of St Gallen, Switzerland and HEC in Paris as well as Harvard Kennedy Business School in Massachusetts.

He is a married man living on the outskirts of Glasgow with his wife and two children.

Popular Talks by Kirk Kinnell

  • Negotiation & Relationship Process / Route Map

    This module covers the anticipated process and first steps from creating a first impression to leaving a lasting sustainable relationship.

  • Communication, Empathy, Listening & Questioning & Questioning Skills

    This module focuses on the listening skills used by hostage negotiators to assist in understanding the perspective of others.

  • Situational Risk Awareness

    This module covers skills utilised to maintain the best possible environment in which to engage clients in dialogue for the Situational & Cultural Factors / Behavioural Indicators (verbal, non-verbal, para-verbal).

  • Structure, Team Role & Context

    This module focuses on the roles within the team and relationship with decision maker. Role clarity ensures the absence of ambiguity which are essential in separating operational and contractual requirements between the entities.

  • Legitimacy, Credibility & Trust

    This module focuses on how to establish the principles required for credibility in the eyes of your partners.

  • Securing the Mandate

    This module focuses on how to secure the mandate and the subsequent trigger points for liaising with Decision Makers.

  • Decision Making

    This module focuses on making, recording and reviewing critical decisions during the negotiation process.

  • Challenging Conversations

    This module focuses on how to prepare for and engage in challenging and difficult conversations maintaining the balance of assertiveness and respectful conflict.

  • Listening Skills

    This module focuses on the listening skills used by hostage negotiators to assist in understanding the perspective of others.

  • Understanding other People

    This module focuses on how to understand and connect with other people through articulation of their drivers, values and beliefs.

  • Influencing other People

    This module focuses on the use of Listening Skills & Empathy to connect with the values and beliefs of other people and how to influence their behaviour.

  • Leverage and Securing Agreement / Close the Deal

    This module focuses on how to identify, store and use leverage to influence the relationship whilst maintaining a sustainable relationship.

  • Conflict Resolution & De-Escalation

    This module focuses on how to resolve conflict and reduce tension, subsequently building a sustainable relationship.

  • Difficult Profiles

    This module focuses on how to use the skills acquired, whilst facing difficult and challenging personality types.

  • Management of Stress

    This module focuses on Stress Inoculation Training and how to manage stress in high pressure situations.

  • Threat Risk and Harm

    This module is drawn from the world of Counter Terrorist Armed Operations and shows students how to evaluate and manage Threats and Risk to prevent harm and achieve goals.

How to book Kirk Kinnell as a keynote speaker

How do I book Kirk Kinnell for a keynote speech?

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

What are Kirk Kinnell's speaking fees?

Kirk Kinnell'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 Kirk tailored to your event.

What topics does Kirk Kinnell speak about?

Kirk Kinnell speaks on Facilitators & Moderators, Leadership, Motivation, Organisation, Performance. Talks can be shaped around your audience, industry and strategic objectives - share your event brief with London Speaker Bureau and we will work with Kirk to align the content with your delegates and goals.

Is Kirk Kinnell available for international events?

London Speaker Bureau can book Kirk Kinnell for events worldwide, subject to Kirk'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 Kirk Kinnell 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 Kirk Kinnell 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 Kirk Kinnell?

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 Kirk can accommodate.

Can Kirk Kinnell tailor the keynote to our industry and audience?

London Speaker Bureau will brief Kirk Kinnell 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 Kirk can offer.

What languages does Kirk Kinnell present in?

Kirk Kinnell delivers keynotes in English. 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 Kirk Kinnell a strong fit as a keynote speaker?

Kirk Kinnell's areas of expertise include Facilitators & Moderators, Leadership, Motivation, Organisation, Performance. To get a clear sense of Kirk'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 Kirk Kinnell speak at?

Kirk Kinnell can be booked through London Speaker Bureau for corporate conferences, leadership events, internal team meetings, association gatherings and private client engagements where expertise in Facilitators & Moderators, Leadership, Motivation, Organisation, Performance is relevant. Details of Kirk'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 Kirk Kinnell 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 Kirk Kinnell is able to offer alongside or instead of a keynote.

How far in advance should we book Kirk Kinnell?

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