Keynote SpeakersLord John Bird MBE, founder of The Big Issue, is an inspirational speaker on social entrepreneurship, overcoming adversity, leadership and driving social change.
He is one of the most interesting and inspiring characters you will likely encounter.
His history is more colourful than the Northern Lights, and his stories will have you crying, laughing, and ultimately in complete awe of this larger-than-life individual who not only embraces life but also teaches others how to do the same.
The Big Issue – the early years:
In September 1991, John Bird and Gordon Roddick of The Body Shop launched The Big Issue.
The magazine was inspired by Street News, a newspaper sold by homeless people in New York, which Roddick saw during a visit to the States.
Roddick and Bird initially launched The Big Issue as a monthly publication in London with help from The Body Shop International.
In June 1993, The Big Issue went weekly, and regional sister titles were later established:
- Manchester (The Big Issue in the North)
- Glasgow (The Big Issue Scotland)
- Cardiff (The Big Issue Cymru)
- Bristol (The Big Issue South West)
- Birmingham (The Big Issue Midlands)
Subsequent editions launched in Sydney, Australia; Cape Town, South Africa; and Los Angeles, USA.
The Big Issue campaigns for homeless and socially excluded people. It is not part of any other media group and fiercely guards its independence. It has no party political allegiance.
The magazine combines hard-hitting current affairs journalism with critical, incisive writing about the world of arts and entertainment. Its high standards of reporting have earned it a brace of high-profile media awards.
In June 1995, John Bird was awarded the MBE for ‘services to homeless people’.
In 2006, he received the prestigious Beacon Fellowship Prize for his energy and originality in raising awareness of homelessness and his support of homeless communities worldwide.
The House of Lords Appointments Commission nominated John Bird for a life peerage to become a non-party-political peer.
Lord John Bird – Keynote Speaker:
As an inspirational speaker, Lord Bird draws on his extraordinary journey from homelessness to founding The Big Issue to deliver powerful insights into entrepreneurship, resilience and social change.
Combining candid storytelling, humour, and unconventional thinking, John challenges audiences to embrace innovation and discover how business can drive positive change.
Speaking topics include:
- Leadership
- Motivation
- Empowerment
- Corporate Social Responsibility
- Social Enterprise
- Social Change
