Keynote SpeakersJames Caan CBE is one of the UK’s most successful and dynamic entrepreneurs.
James, an award-winning business leader, made his fortune in the recruitment industry, including the global success of his companies, Alexander Mann Group and Humana International, and he has been building and selling businesses ever since.
In 2004 he founded the private equity firm Hamilton Bradshaw based in London’s Mayfair.
HB has become the UK’s number one choice of investor in recruitment. As a result, they are one of the world’s fastest growing recruitment companies with over 500 staff and a portfolio turnover of over £150 million.
HB has an investment portfolio of more than 30 recruitment businesses. The recruitment portfolio includes companies across multiple sectors and boasts some of the UK’s most respected and seasoned management teams.
James and his team invest in and manage investments in property-related businesses, real estate joint ventures and property-related start-ups. They also invest in PropTech start-ups alongside Pi Labs, a platform founded in 2014, which is now Europe’s leading PropTech focused venture capital firm. In 2011 James launched a property venture.
Media:
James Caan is best known for joining the panel of the hit TV show on BBC Dragons’ Den in 2007.
Over four series, Caan invested in 14 companies and committed over £1m.
James is also known for joining CNBC to present ‘The Business Class‘, where he examined six unique British companies as they undertook their next steps to growth and success.
With James’ impressive track record of creating and managing successful companies, he used his first-hand experience to discuss the challenges and offer advice with the guest experts, each providing their candid insight.
In addition, James was invited to be a panellist on Sky News’ weekly discussion show ‘The Pledge‘, where he debated topics from Trump to Brexit and everything in between.
Awards:
James has received various prestigious awards, including:
- Honorary degree from Leeds Met Uni in Business Administration
- Honorary Degree from York St. John Uni, in Business Administration
- Chairman of the Year at the International Business Awards
- BT Enterprise of the Year
- PricewaterhouseCoopers Entrepreneur of the Year
- Asian Jewel Awards Entrepreneur of the Year
- Awarded CBE in recognition of his work in philanthropy and entrepreneurship
In May 2012, he was appointed Chairman of StartUp Loans, a government initiative to support young people with funding to start up new businesses in the UK. Over the next three years, over £82 million of loans will be offered to 18-24-year-olds.
James is heavily involved with charity and set up The James Caan Foundation in 2011 to help underprivileged children access education.
Author:
James has written four bestselling books, including:
- The Real Deal, his autobiography
- Get the Job You Really Want, based on his 30 years of experience in the recruitment industry.
- Start Your Business in 7 Days, helping the new generation of entrepreneurs to work out if their business ideas are workable and bankable.
- Get the Life you really Want, James brings together his years of experience to inspire people to achieve their life goals.
James is highly passionate about supporting small businesses and, in 2011, launched a free app, James Caan Business Secrets, to help other entrepreneurs on their journey to success.
With 260,000 regular users and over 500,000 downloads to date, James’ app proves that there is an enormous appetite for credible business advice delivered straight from your smartphone.
Keynote Speaker:
As a popular keynote speaker, James offers audiences valuable insight and practical advice on issues such as motivating staff, growing businesses and surviving the harsh economic climate.
Most importantly, he can draw on his own life experiences to energise and motivate audiences.
James’ passion remains in building successful businesses and investing in people rather than just their ideas.
He has consistently demonstrated the ability to spot talent and subsequently takes great pleasure in seeing those he invests in grow and achieve their ambitions.
