Keynote Speaking
Engaging, practical and thought-provoking talks that challenge leaders to rethink retention, workplace culture, management and the future of work. Ruth combines professional insight, lived experience and practical recommendations to help audiences understand why people leave, what makes them stay and how leadership must evolve in the age of AI.
Indicative fees from £1,250
The conversation most organisations have too late
Most organisations only hear the real reasons people leave once the resignation letter has arrived. By then, the decision has usually been made, shaped over months by everyday experiences of management, culture and communication that went unnoticed.
A keynote is a rare opportunity to bring leaders, managers and teams around a shared understanding of why people leave, what makes them stay and how leadership must evolve as AI reshapes the way we work. The right message, delivered well, starts conversations that continue long after the event ends.
Ruth's talks are designed to do exactly that. Combining professional insight, lived experience and practical recommendations, they challenge audiences to rethink retention, culture and management, and to leave with actions they can apply, not motivation alone.
Signature Talks
Three signature talks, each developed as a full keynote and tailored to your audience and context.
Why Good Employees Leave Bad Managers
An honest look at the everyday management behaviours that quietly push capable people towards the door, and the practical shifts that help managers become a reason to stay.
Retention Starts Long Before Someone Resigns
The decision to leave rarely begins with the resignation. This talk explores the earlier moments that shape whether people stay, disengage or go, and how leaders can act sooner.
The Human Advantage in the Age of AI
As AI reshapes how work gets done, the organisations that thrive will be the ones that invest in their people. A practical perspective on leading human beings through technological change.
Ruth is available for
Keynotes & Conferences
Signature talks for conferences, leadership events and internal audiences.
Panel Discussions & Interviews
A practical, credible voice on retention, culture, leadership and the future of work.
Workshops & Training
Interactive sessions that turn a keynote message into applied learning for managers and teams.
Corporate Events & Offsites
Talks and facilitated discussions for away-days, leadership offsites and all-staff events.
Who this is for
- Corporate conferences and leadership events
- HR, people and organisational development audiences
- Management conferences and internal leadership events
- Public-sector, healthcare, social-care and wider people-heavy organisations
What your organisation receives
- 20–30-minute organiser discovery call
- Tailored 30, 45 or 60-minute keynote
- Professional presentation slides
- Optional 10–15-minute audience Q&A
- One-page audience takeaway
- Brief post-event organiser conversation
Expected outcomes
- A clear, shared message for leaders or employees
- Greater understanding of retention, culture and leadership behaviour
- Practical actions rather than motivation alone
- Memorable ideas and language that continue beyond the event
Indicative investment
| Engagement | Indicative fee |
|---|---|
| Virtual keynote | From £1,250 |
| In-person keynote | From £1,750* |
| Keynote plus facilitated discussion | From £2,250 |
| Keynote plus half-day workshop | From £3,250 |
*Agreed travel and accommodation are additional.
All fees are indicative and are confirmed against the agreed scope through a tailored proposal.
How it works
Enquiry
Complete a short enquiry form covering your organisation, audience, challenge, preferred date, format and budget range.
Discovery call
A 20–30 minute organiser discovery call to understand your event, audience and objectives.
Tailored proposal
A written proposal confirming the talk, format, fee and practical arrangements for your event.
Keynote delivery
Ruth delivers your tailored keynote, with professional slides and an optional audience Q&A session.
Post-event conversation
A brief organiser conversation to reflect on the event and discuss possible next steps.
Frequently asked questions
How long is a typical keynote?
Each talk is delivered as a tailored 30, 45 or 60-minute keynote, depending on your programme and audience. An optional 10–15-minute audience Q&A can be added, and every keynote includes a one-page audience takeaway.
Will the talk be tailored to our audience?
Yes. Every engagement begins with a 20–30 minute organiser discovery call, and approximately 20% of each talk is tailored to your audience, sector and context, while the core argument that makes the talk work stays consistent.
Do you speak at virtual events as well as in person?
Yes. Ruth delivers both virtual and in-person keynotes. Virtual keynotes start from an indicative £1,250 and in-person keynotes from £1,750, with the final fee confirmed through a tailored proposal.
How are travel and accommodation handled?
For in-person engagements, agreed travel and accommodation are additional to the keynote fee. These are discussed during the discovery call and confirmed in writing in the proposal, so there are no surprises later.
Can we include audience questions?
Yes. An optional 10–15-minute audience question session can be added after the keynote. Many organisers find this a valuable way to connect the talk directly to their own organisation's challenges.
How do we book Ruth for our event?
Start with the enquiry form, sharing your organisation, audience, challenge, preferred date, format and budget range. Ruth will arrange a discovery call and follow up with a tailored proposal for your event.
Ready to give your audience a message that lasts?
Share your organisation, audience, challenge, preferred date, format and budget range, and Ruth will come back to you to arrange a discovery conversation.