Brad Burton is a four-time best-selling business author, motivational leader and industry disruptor who changed the way the UK networks.
In 2006, Brad founded 4Networking, which would grow into a multi-million-pound organisation within 6 years. Running over 5,000 business events annually across the UK, his unique format transformed how small businesses grow.
Known for his infectious energy and enthusiasm, sharp humour, and unmistakable Northern directness, Brad Burton has become one of the UK’s most sought-after motivational business speakers.
His keynotes blend business truth with belly laughs.
One delegate described him as “as good as a professional comedian, except you leave wanting to positively change your life.”
But it wasn’t always this way…
Brad grew up on a rough Salford council estate, left school without qualifications, and spent four years on benefits. Addicted to drugs. Twice. (“You’ve got to work really hard to get addicted twice!”).
At 21, he’d been shot at.
By 31, he was delivering pizzas.
What happened next changed everything…
At 36, he had built a £1 million national business from a starting point of – £25,000 personal debt.
“Beneath the bluff exterior of the self-styled ‘bloke from Manchester’ is a shrewd business brain”
The Times
From those beginnings, Brad Burton built a powerful personal brand, created a multi-million-pound business, and has gone on to headline the stages of some of the biggest global companies.
Brad’s story is built on resilience. He went from leaving school with nothing to building his business and surviving near bankruptcy (due to the pandemic) to overcoming a four-year online female stalker, an ordeal that led to a rare conviction, one of less than 2% that ever reach court.
It’s a story of grit, resilience and unshakable belief.
The first person Brad had to motivate was himself.
Featured extensively across all national media, his story has been covered by BBC Panorama – My Online Stalker, ITV and Channel 4’s Social Media Monsters.
He speaks openly about that time and the mindset, leadership and courage needed under fire.
“Brad’s talk at Xerocon was the highlight of the conference.”
Gary Turner – Xero Co-Founder
His sessions give audiences something rare: Hope, Optimism, and Belief delivered with humour, hard truths, and his trademark energy and enthusiasm in equal measure.
Now 52, Brad leads Motivational Leader.
A global speaking and mentoring brand that has taken him around the world.
With 20 years of business and life lessons, his entertaining, straight-talking delivery combines truth, laughter and lessons that audiences love and remember long after the event.
Motivational. Funny. Real.
Brad leaves audiences thinking, feeling, and acting differently. Fast.
Brad Burton Keynote Speaking and Development Days
Whether for a keynote, development day or strategy week, booking Brad means investing in an experience that will motivate, educate, and prepare your audience for action, leaving them fired up and focused.
- Leadership and Decision-Making: Practical strategies for making better decisions faster, effective decisions, and confident leadership, drawing from real-world experience in high-growth business environments.
- Team Building and Motivation: Techniques to build cohesive, high-performing teams and sustain motivation, even through the most challenging times.
- Entrepreneurship and Business Growth: Insights on starting and scaling a business from the ground up, including overcoming obstacles and leveraging opportunities.
- Personal Development and Self-Belief: Techniques for becoming the best version of yourself in all areas of life. Learn how to overcome limiting beliefs, cultivate self-leadership, and make choices driven by passion rather than fear to unlock your full potential.
“Funny, inspirational and a triple espresso of motivation”
Major Tim Peake – British Astronaut