Parenting influencers

Anna Whitehouse – otherwise known as Mother Pukka – is a prominent campaigner for female empowerment and flexible working, as well as a radio presenter, podcast host, and author. She set up Mother Pukka in 2015 after finding there were no suitable platforms to share honest parenthood tips and stories In 2019, Anna was included in  The Telegraph’s ‘Time Wise Top 50 Power List’ for her campaigning. Now a prominent speaker for a variety of events on the topics of parenthood, baby loss, and flexibility in the workplace. Contact Great British Speakers  today to book Mother Pukka Anna Whitehouse for your next event. Anna Whitehouse AKA Mother Pukka Anna Whitehouse is passionate about making flexible working easier for everyone, but specifically for parents. She knows how difficult it can be to return to work after having a baby and understands that some companies can be wary of offering flexible working. Which is why Mother Pukka provides a free and confidential legal advice hotline. Anna has always been honest with her readers, providing her own story in the hope it would encourage others to share. Out of seven pregnancies, only two babies were born, which is why she is so keen on talking about miscarriage and baby loss, especially in relation to returning to work. This is where her social media following of almost half a million comes in. Whilst it can be a slippery slope, she believes the power of social media helps women going through potentially isolating experiences realise they’re not alone. Mother Pukka provides an online forum where parents can converse about baby loss, parenthood and work, as well as any other issue they need help with. Anna Whitehouse AKA Mother Pukka - Writing Anna’s expertise has seen her write or contribute to publications including  Adweek, Bristol Live, Closer, Daily Mail, Glamour, Grazia, Happiful, the Huffington Post, the Independent, the London Evening Standard, Marie Claire, the Metro, ShortList Media, Stella, Stylist, the Sun, the Telegraph, the Times , and  Time Out. Since starting Mother Pukka, Anna and Matt have written three books, two non-fiction and one fiction. She released  Parenting the Sh*t Out of Life  in 2017, which aimed to help new parents focus on the positives of parenthood more than the drawbacks. In 2020, they released  Where’s My Happy Ending , where they set out to discover how to make your relationship last forever, focussing on topics including love, sex, sexuality and children. Their first fiction book  Underbelly was released in 2021 and explored the reality behind the filtered surface of modern women’s lives. Anna Whitehouse AKA Mother Pukka - Media work Anna’s first taste of mainstream TV was in 2021, where she appeared on Channel 4’s primetime money-saving programme  Secret Spenders,  where she appeared as a lifestyle expert. Since then, she has appeared on  Good Morning Britain, ITV News, Lorraine  and  Women’s House.  She can also be heard on Sunday nights presenting her Heart Radio programme. She runs her very successful podcast  Dirty Mother Pukka,  where she has spoken about topics including divorce, ageing, sex, illness, shopping addiction, relationships, nostalgia and work in over 80 episodes. Anna Whitehouse AKA Mother Pukka - Corporate work Her down-to-earth nature and personality make her the perfect collaborator or ambassador. She has already collaborated with the likes of Garnier, McDonald’s, Samsung, Sky and Specsavers. She is often asked to speak at industry, corporate and public events on the challenges of flexible working and her campaign for change. She has spoken at events ranging from the very large – such as The Podcast Show, the country’s biggest podcast festival – and the more intimate, such as at the Francis Holland school as part of their PHSE programme, focussing on flexible working. Anna Whitehouse AKA Mother Pukka - Speaking Anna is a force to be reckoned with. Her speaking style is honest and open, funny and sad, with the aim of helping anyone going through parenting troubles or issues with work. In 2019, Anna and her husband Matt Farquharson hosted a TEDx talk entitled ‘How to be a Happy Chicken’, where they discussed how flexible working can be better for our physical and mental well-being, help our work/life balance, and can help promote women in senior roles. Over 10,000 people have since watched the talk below: Anna Whitehouse AKA Mother Pukka - Speaking topics - Pregnancy - Miscarriage - Parenting - Flexible Working - Journalism - Social Media - Female Entrepreneur Call +44 1753 439 289 or email  Great British Speakers now to book parenting and flexible working speaker Anna Whitehouse AKA Mother Pukka for your next event. Contact us .

Anna Williamson is an experienced TV and radio broadcaster, No. 1 bestselling author, counsellor, life coach, and Master NLP Practitioner. She uses her diverse skillset as the dating expert and presenter of Celebs Go Dating (2019-23), One Night Stand (2022), and Save Well, Spend Better (2019). She is also the mental health expert on FYI: For Your Info (2021), and reporter on hard-hitting films for BBC’s Inside Out (2017-20). Anna has two very successful podcasts: Breaking Mum and Dad, where Anna brings the no-nonsense conversation about parenting and paternal mental health from her book to life, alongside her partner and other celebrity parents. This podcast is now a double British Podcast Award nominee! She also co-hosts LuAnna, with Luisa Zissman , a light-hearted podcast where they debate and talk openly about topical issues, and boasts over 1 million downloads per month! She is a passionate campaigner for mental health and wellbeing; with her experiences of post-natal depression, she is an excellent speaker on parental mental health issues, having suffered from GAD (Generalised Anxiety Disorder) which is what inspired her to write her first book. Anna’s first-hand experience with mental health difficulties and her extensive portfolio of broadcasting jobs make her an ideal fit for live events. Contact Great British Speakers  today to book presenter, podcaster, mental-health and wellness ambassador Anna Williamson for your next event. EARLY MEDIA CAREER Anna Williamson had her first taste of fame at the age of 15 when she was part of the girl group Blush, but it was two years later when she would get her break on television. She joined the children’s programme Milkshake! (1997) on Channel 5, alongside Konnie Huq and Angelica Bell, which then let her to a role presenting on the Disney Channel. She has since presented for CiTV, Nickelodeon, ITV, Sky, Channel 5, BBC, Channel 4, and MTV, as well as broadcasting on Five Live, Virgin Radio, Radio 1, and Capital FM. This combination of working for popular networks such as Nickelodeon, meant Anna was soon being snapped up to present everything from Scary Sleepover (2004), Toonattik (2005), Jamie and Anna’s Big Weekend (2010), Camp Orange (2011-12), and House of Anubis (2011-13). She was then seen on the second series of the ITV reality show Splash! (2014), making it to the semi-final. HOSTING AND REPORTING In 2011, Anna started appearing as a guest entertainment reporter for ITV’s Daybreak (2010-14), followed by This Morning (2013-20) in 2013 as their agony aunt. In 2014 she became a regular on ITV’s Good Morning Britain (2015-18), and Lorraine (2014-19), covering everything from celebrities to hard-hitting news and competitions. She has also hosted the National Lottery Xtra and the Wednesday Lotto draw for several years. Her increasing fame saw her co-hosting Channel 5’s Big Brother’s Bit on the Side (2013-17) with Rylan Clark, as their on-screen psychology expert. Anna and her podcast co-host Luisa Zissman took their show on tour in 2022, with the 19-date tour selling out in minutes. The podcast is so popular it has been voted the Top 20 Listeners Choice two years running! WRITING Alongside her presenting work, Anna has transferred her skills to the written word, writing a column for the Digital Spy website, regularly reaching over 100,000 people. She is also the weekly therapist and life coach columnist for Closer magazine, and monthly relationship expert and columnist for Psychologies magazine. She also has her own agony aunt columns in magazines such as Girl Talk, Women Fitness, Top Sante, and Mother and Baby. Aware that not everyone can access her sessions, Anna put pen to paper and has written a number of successful books on mental health and wellbeing: - Breaking Mad: The Insider’s Guide to Conquering Anxiety (2017) was written with clinical psychologist Dr Reetta Newell and was a national bestseller - Breaking Mum and Dad: The Insider’s Guide to Parenting Anxiety (2018) was published alongside a podcast that was frequently in the number one spot on the iTunes chart - How Not to Lose It: Mental Health Sorted (2019) aimed predominantly at young people, covering topics such as anxiety, panic attacks, low mood, depression, exam stress, social media, divorce, grief, blended families, and toxic relationships - Where is the Love: The Honest Guide to Dating and Relationships (2022), shortlisted for the Health and Wellbeing Awards, this is a 21st Century bible for anyone looking for love Anna also wrote a short story,  Flo & The Funny Feelings  (2017) in collaboration with the NHS to help raise awareness of mental health in children. LIVE EVENTS Anna quickly became a go-to host for red carpet events, such as the 2008 Kung Fu Panda red carpet, backstage at the BAFTAs, the Bounce Festival, Nickelodeon’s Skills Aware, the European Music Awards, and the Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards, interviewing big stars such as Jack Black, One Direction, and the Kardashians. She was also chosen as the host of the 2015 Gumball 3000, an international motorsports rally where she was seen in the company of Robbie Fowler, Dolph Lundgren, and Lewis Hamilton. Anna Williamson Luisa Zizssman LuAnna podcasters at Great British Speakers CORPORATE PRESENTER Anna has worked for a variety of blue-chip companies, advertisement campaigns, and charities, such as Barnardo’s, Camelot, Dream Toys, Elderman, Viacom, and Weetabix. She has also been the voiceover of the Smyths Toys’ Christmas campaigns, Transport for London, and Sony. Other clients include American Express, Argos, BAFTA, BP, Chad Valley, Champneys, Childline, Disney, HomeSense, Land Securities, Nickelodeon, Princes Trust, TK Maxx, and the World Label Awards. To book Anna for your voiceover campaign, contact our celebrity V/O booking agent Alex at Great British Voices. MENTAL HEALTH SPEAKER Away from public life, Anna suffered from an almost crippling battle with generalised anxiety disorder. She spoke out about her experiences and realised there was still a stigma around having mental health difficulties. To help fight these stigmas, Anna became an ambassador for charity Mind, qualified as a counsellor and life coach, and now runs her own private coaching practice. She is also a proud spokesperson for Childline and The Prince’s Trust, co-hosting the Prince’s Trust Celebrate Success Awards alongside Ant and Dec and the then Prince of Wales, now King Charles. Anna can be seen discussing hard-hitting topics such as mental health and family relationships on This Morning, but she also takes her experiences to schools and businesses, whilst fronting awareness campaigns for AOL, The Telegraph and YouTube. WELLBEING PRESENTER Anna has taken her interest in wellbeing and used it in a number of popular television shows. She was the behavioural coach for MTV’s  Single AF  (2017-2018), the dating and relationship expert on E4’s  Celebs Go Dating (2016-2023) the agony aunt for The Anna Williamson Show on Talk Radio and The Mental Health Show on BBC3 Counties Radio. She has been a part of a number of wellbeing awareness campaigns for a number of companies including American Express, YMCA, NHS, TK Maxx & HomeSense, WOMANUP, Derby Homes, Champneys, Nutra Concepts, Viacom, Busy Bees, Argos, Land Securities, Haven and Barnardo’s. Anna’s wealth of experience and versatility means that she can offer a wealth of presenting styles, such as web videos, broadcast, live presenting, narration and voiceovers. She is engaging, thoughtful and experienced and adept in front of live audiences. Call +44 1753 439 289 or email  Great British Speakers  now to book television presenter and mental health ambassador Anna Williamson for your corporate event. Contact us .

Dr Brooke Vandermolen – or “The OBGYN Mum” as she’s known online – is an Obstetrics and Gynaecological doctor, as well as a mother to two children. After a difficult experience finding accurate, evidence-based information to guide her through her own pregnancies and parenthood, she began sharing her own insights and tips around pregnancy, birth, fertility and menopause through social media and blog posts. Her evidence-based information has taken the internet by storm, smashing down taboos of previously reserved areas of medicine, such as women’s health. She is a brilliant contributor, public speaker, host, brand consultant and social influencer, and is on a mission to talk openly about women’s health and parenthood. Contact Great British Speakers today to book women's health specialist and OBGYN Mum Brooke Vandermolen for your next event. An expert in her field, Dr Brooke Vandermolen has created online digital content for the Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists and the wider NHS, as well as working with and speaking for the Department of Health. She reviews patients with a range of gynaecological concerns as well as performing and assisting in laparoscopic and open surgery. Besides being popular online, Brooke’s research into maternal medicine and high-risk pregnancies has been presented at major international conferences and published in prominent medical journals. As an experienced medical writer and online personality, Brooke has been featured in a range of UK media outlets including in The Telegraph, Vogue, The Daily Mail, Women’s Health, The Sun, The Daily Express and on The Huffington Post and Net Doctor. She has also contributed blogs to the ‘Charlotte Stirling-Reid – Baby and Child Nutritionist website, as well as the ‘Boots Presents’ Taboo Talk podcast where she discussed periods and hormones. She has worked alongside a number of companies such as Holland & Barratt, Elvie, Boots, Babybjorn, Mooncup, the NHS and Tena to ensure their pregnancy-related information is factually correct and evidence-based. She is a popular face at medical events such as The European Health-Tech Innovation Week and the Giant Health London Event. These types of events are held with the aim of improving the health and wellbeing of people around the world, successfully driving improved healthcare outcomes and business collaborations and supporting health-tech entrepreneurs and investors. She has experience at speaking in front of many different corporations including Tesco, Santander, Ernst &Young and many more. . Dr Brooke Vandermolen speaking topics Typical speaking topics include matters around and including: Fertility, Pregnancy, Childbirth, Positive Birthing Experiences,  Childbirth During a Pandemic, Ante/Post Natal, Hypnobirthing, Menopause. Dr Brooke Vandermolen keynote talks in detail:   Dr Brooke Vandermolen | Women's Health | Let’s talk  Women’s health issues have been brushed under the carpet, or discussed in hushed voices for far too long. If we understand our bodies we can ensure we are empowered to identify any issues earlier and seek the help that we need.  In this talk we will cover common questions about periods, pregnancy loss and what check-ups you should have to make sure you stay healthy. We will also discuss how you can help support your colleagues and friends who may be going through health issues or surgery relating to gynaecological problems. There will be the opportunity to ask questions to an expert in the field,  so bring any burning concerns or ready to ask something you have just always wondered! Dr Brooke Vandermolen | Women's Health | A conversation about Menopause Half the population go through the menopause, but yet many of us have no idea what to expect, or how to support friends and colleagues who may be suffering. This session aims to break down taboos and preconceptions of this important time in women lives, showing that there IS life after the menopause.  We will cover how it can impact you, both at home and in the workplace, and also give you some practical tips for managing the most troublesome symptoms. We will discuss how you support friends, colleagues and employees through this time and there will be time to answer questions and share your stories.  Dr Brooke Vandermolen |  Women's Health | A conversation about Fertility Many of us take for granted that falling pregnant will be straightforward. In fact infertility is far more common than many of us realise, with friends and colleagues often suffering in silence behind closed doors.  In this session we will discuss what infertility is and what can be done to improve a couple's chances of conception. We will cover what actually happens if you need IVF and what different options are available for single parents and couples in same-sex relationships.  We will also share helpful ideas if you are supporting friends and colleagues, including what you can say to be helpful, and also phrases that you should definitely avoid saying! Above all, this workshop is a safe space to share experiences and discuss a topic that is often difficult to navigate alone. Dr Brooke Vandermolen |  Pregnancy loss matters: Learn what can cause miscarriage and pregnancy loss and what can be expected from the recovery process. In order to support grieving parents best, you can learn about their employment rights after miscarriage and what steps can be taken to support their return to work. This can positively benefit employee retention rate and productivity, as well as enhancing their experience and comfort in the workplace.  Dr Brooke Vandermolen |  Women's Health | A conversation about Pregnancy: Pregnancy is a pivotal moment in the lives of women and birthing people. It is accompanied by so many physical changes as well as having effects on emotional wellbeing and a shift in priorities at home which can affect the work-life balance. This session covers what challenges pregnant people may encounter in each trimester. In the first trimester we will discuss the risk of miscarriage and how to support someone who may go through this. We will discuss the physical changes expected in the second trimester and also some of the workplace adjustments that should be considered. Finally we will discuss the third trimester of pregnancy and the effect this has on the body and what you can do to help support her. Dr Brooke Vandermolen - Chair, moderator facilitator Brooke is confident at chairing events, hosting webinars and workshops, sitting in on Q&A sessions, and chairing focus groups and charity events. Her education, career and personal life gives her a wide range of experience to educate and delight an audience of any size. Call +44 1753 439 289 or email  Great British Speakers now to book female health, gynaecological doctor, Pregnancy, Fertility, Birth, Ovarian Cancer & Menopause speaker Dr Brooke Vandermolen for your next event. Contact us .

Dr Philippa Kaye is an inspirational GP, author, journalist and TV broadcaster with an particular interest in women’s health. Philippa is a regular presenter on This Morning and Talk TV, and often contributes to written and online media, including being the medical expert for several magazines including My Weekly Special and That’s Life. Philippa has worked in paediatrics, gynaecology, care of the elderly, acute medicine, psychiatry and is now a GP. In 2007, Philippa published her first book The Fertility Handbook and since then has published a further ten books on subjects including cancer, menopause, fertility, pregnancy, child health, child development and diabetes. Explaining medical problems and procedures in simple language that non-medics can understand is one of Philippa’s strengths and is evident in her success on TV and in her books. In 2019 and at the age of 39 her life and career would take an unexpected turn when she was diagnosed with bowel cancer. Within a week Philippa was in hospital having the tumour in her bowel removed and after chemotherapy and further surgery she got the all clear in 2020. Philippa found writing a diary helped her cope with her cancer diagnosis and her subsequent experience. The retelling of her cancer journey and the emotional outpouring was turned into a her book: Doctors Get Cancer too. Philippa is much in demand for TV and corporate work on a wide range of health and wellness topics. Contact Great British Speakers today to inspirational GP, cancer survivor, author and broadcaster Dr Philippa Kaye for your next event. Dr Philippa Kaye Background Philippa was always fascinated with science and people and medicine was the perfect way to combine these two fascinations. Philippa is a Londoner and moved away to study medicine at Downing College Cambridge, before returning to Guy’s, King’s and St Thomas’ to do her clinical training in paediatrics, gynaecology, care of the elderly, acute medicine, psychiatry and general practice. Dr Philippa Kaye | Media Dr Philippa regularly appears on This Morning, sharing advice and information on women's health and paediatrics. She regularly appears on podcasts, including on Liz Earle's Friday Five podcast and is on You Tube giving interviews on a range of topics. A video of her carrying out a smear test has been viewed 15.4 million times. She is also the medical expert for Woman , Woman & Home , That’s Life and My Weekly Special magazines. Philippa is also the doctor advisor to Ann Summers on sexual wellness. Dr Philippa Kaye Books Dr Philippa Kaye has published numerous books with the second edition of The M Word: Everything You Need to Know About the Menopause released in 2023. The first edition reached number 2 in the Amazon charts. The book aims to break the taboo of menopause. The book helps women understand that they do not need to suffer due to the menopause and explains symptoms, treatments and how to manage relationships. The book has received glowing reviews, including from DJ Sara Cox and broadcaster Vanessa Feltz. In 2021 Philippa published Doctors Get Cancer Too: A Doctor's Diary of Life and Recovery from Cancer , the moving story of her journey being on both sides of the desk, sharing her insights not only through the diagnosis and treatment but in surviving and thriving through cancer. The book aims to help patients and their loved ones feel better understood, more prepared and less alone. Other books authored by Philippa include Breasts: An Owner's Guide , which is a taboo-breaking informative and practical guide helping readers understand and care for their most mythologised and objectified body part. In 2010 Dr Philippa Kaye released Your Pregnancy Week by Week: Practical and reassuring advice from conception to birth . The guide for mums-to-be provides weekly updates on baby development, how and why the body is changing as well as guidance on what can be done to ensure a smooth pregnancy. Call +44 1753 439 289 or email  Great British Speakers now to book inspirational doctor, author, broadcaster and cancer survivor Dr Philippa Kaye to speak at your next event.   Contact us .

Heidi Skudder – otherwise known as The Parent and Baby Coach – is an award-winning podcaster and parenting consultant with over two decades of experience working with and helping families around the world, from the USA to Zambia. Her experience, expertise, and personable nature mean she has helped famous clients, including Stacey Solomon, Binky Felstead and Perrie Edwards, appear on TV shows for Channel 5 and featured in publications The Independent  and  The Express. She is in high demand as a keynote speaker at industry events and for her online workshops and courses on topics such as weaning, potty training and toddler behaviour. Contact Great British Speakers today to book Heidi Skudder - The Parent and Baby Coach for your next event. With a Masters degree in Business Psychology and qualifications including NLP, CBT, accreditation from the Association of Coaching, and diplomas in post-natal depression and sleep training, Heidi Skudder is an expert in all things baby and toddler. Her business started in 2011 as Tiny Tiptoes, initially offering baby massage classes and overnight care; it would then be rebranded as The Parent and Baby Coach in 2012, combining her coaching practice with sleep support consultancy. Since then, she has helped over 2,000 families manage their transition into parenthood and provided tips on her social media, where she has a following of over 65,000. Heidi Skudder - The Parent and Baby Coach - Speaking Heidi aims to work with individuals and corporate clients in helping new parents and parents-to-be understand the physical and emotional changes they will go through when going from a single person or couple to a parent. Heidi Skudder - The Parent and Baby Coach - Online Workshops She also offers online workshops and courses, including: - Mini Sleep, Sleep Support, Dream Sleep, and Newborn Sleep - Put to Bed, and Lunchtime Nap - Reflux Management, Reflux Support, and Combination Feeding - Toddler Behaviour - Newborn, Baby, and Toddler Sleep - Baby and Toddler Sleep and Routine - Baby Weaning - Potty Training - Preparing For Your Second Baby Her workshops have seen her given the  Baby Magazine’s Little London Award for the ‘Best Baby and Parenting Class’. Whilst she wants to ensure the child is cared for in the best way, she is also passionate about ensuring the parent has a positive experience of parenthood. Heidi Skudder - The Parent and Baby Coach - Podcasting Heidi is also a popular podcast host, having hosted several series of  The Parent & Baby Coach Podcast, discussing topics such as emotion for toddlers, room sharing, returning to work, baby gut health, reflux, illness, and separation anxiety. Her expertise has seen her speak at The Baby Show, the UK’s biggest parenthood exhibition show, on no less than four occasions, cementing her as a go-to expert in the field. Heidi works with: Mail on Sunday, The Independent, My Baba, The Baby Show, 5 News, Penguin Books, Baby London and the Baby and Toddler Show. Call +44 1753 439 289 or email  Great British Speakers  now to book The Parent and Baby Coach Heidi Skudder for your corporate event. Contact us .

Kay Crewdson has spent over 15 years working in television and radio, across the BBC, working as a producer, journalist, broadcaster, presenter and meteorologist. Kay Crewdson Miscarriage Speaker Since losing her own baby in 2017, Kay Crewdson became an ambassador and then Media Director for the national charity CRADLE, who help support health workers and bereaved parents who are receiving care following the loss of their baby. Her aim in the company is to spread the CRADLE word, for the charity to be talked about on the radio, on TV, online and in the press. Contact Great British Speakers today to book Presenter and Miscarriage Charity Supporter Kay Crewdson for your next event. Kay Crewdson did most of her media work for the BBC, leaving in 2017 after the miscarriage of her baby son. Upon leaving, she produced and presented a radio documentary called The Emptiness Within, with her close friend Steve. The aim of the documentary? To get the conversation about miscarriage started. To force people to listen to the harsh reality of losing a baby and to educate those who have no idea how to act when a loved one experiences such loss. The Miscarriage Association report that roughly 250,000 couples every year in the UK experience a miscarriage, and yet the subject is still seen by many to be a taboo, which infuriates Kay, who believes that action must be taken regarding the social denial around the subject. Because of this, she presents an in-depth journey into the physical process or a miscarriage but also it’s psychological and social effects. “I wanted to make the documentary to get people talking about the subject of miscarriage. In 2018, it really shouldn’t be a topic that remains shrouded in mystery – almost as if it’s a taboo. I wanted the documentary to resonate with others, many of whom have suffered in silence; and for those who have never experienced miscarriage, both male and female, who really have no idea what it’s like. When it happened to me, I felt empty, both emotionally and physically. It’s a feeling that all of the contributors I spoke to expressed when sharing their stories, and I want to thank them for taking the brave step to talk so openly about their experiences.” The documentary was very well received and won the pair a gold award at the International Broadcasting Awards, silver at the New York Radio Awards, a radio Oscar and high commendations at industry events. Kay has since gone on to speak about miscarriage at health and wellbeing events, as well as becoming Media Director for CRADLE, a charity that supports parents who are receiving care during or following baby loss. KAYE CREWDSON SPEAKING TOPICS - Pregnancy - Miscarriage - TV Presenting Kay is informative, passionate and confident in talking about hard-hitting topics such as pregnancy and miscarriage, and it’s after effects, to all audiences, providing ways to manage their own potential baby loss and to support others. Call +44 1753 439 289 or email Great British Speakers now to book Parenting & Miscarriage Speaker Kay Crewdson for your corporate event. Contact us.

Natalie Silverman is passionate about fertility education and hosts The Fertility Podcast, the UK’s first podcast dedicated to supporting people struggling to conceive. She also offers podcast consulting to creative agencies. Natalie Silverman launched the podcast in 2014 after becoming pregnant from fertility treatment and not being able to find relatable content about her experience. Since its launch, Natalie has created over 300 episodes with more than half a million downloads and listeners in over 90 countries. The podcast is always within the top 100 health podcasts globally and was the UK’s first dedicated to this topic. It has paved the way for other podcasts in the fertility space and highlighted the vital need for people suffering with infertility to hear stories from others going through the same thing. Contact Great British Speakers today to book The Fertility Podcast speaker, Natalie Silverman for your next event. Natalie Silverman’s passion for women’s health is what has kept her podcast growing over the last few years, as her passion is to empower, educate and support men and women with up-to-date credible information. Her podcast topics include Male and Female fertility, miscarriage, donor conception and surrogacy and fertility in the workplace. In 2020, Natalie launched her bespoke fertility coaching service, working one-to-one and in groups to help people better understand their emotions and support their mental health. Natalie brings empathy and compassion to this challenging conversation in all her talks about it and continues to work within the fertility sector to help bridge the gap between the patient and the industry. A regular media spokesperson, Natalie has been featured in many titles including The Times, BBC World Service, BBC 5 Live, Grazia and You magazines, talking about the impact of treatment and her very personal decision to donate her remaining embryos to science rather than having further treatment to extend her family. Natalie is keen to change the narrative on one-child families and in 2019, she joined an independent steering committee for Ferring Pharmaceuticals as part of their ‘Fertility Awks’ video campaign; she shared a story of when she was publicly challenged about not having more children. From sharing her experience of going through fertility treatment whilst hosting her breakfast radio show, Natalie was invited to speak at AXA Insurance’s Diversity and Inclusion festival where she highlighted why fertility issues need to be understood in the workplace. In January 2020, she co-founded a new initiative called ‘Fertility Matters at Work’, working with corporates to help employees understand their rights regarding fertility treatment and employers to be able to support their staff better by understanding more about the emotional toll of treatment. Natalie continues to speak in the corporate setting about this issue, most recently working with Barclays Bank. The Fertility Podcast explained: Natalie also offers a podcast consultancy service, helping companies with planning, recording and publishing successful podcasts. Her client podcasts include Biolgan Supplements, Ovusense, KPMG, Surrogacy UK, The Karamel Podcast, Little Voice Big Business and Big Change of Heart. Natalie Silverman The Fertility Podcast Speaking Topics - How to engage with niche audiences - Podcasting - Male and Female Fertility - Pregnancy - Mental Health and Wellbeing With over a decade of working for commercial radio stations, Natalie is an accomplished live or recorded presenter. She is confident in discussing fertility as an after-dinner or keynote speaker, as a webinar host or panel chair. Clients: Asda, Audible, AXA, Cancer Research Race for Life, Barclays Bank, Coca Cola, Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, The Fertility Show, LinkedIn, Mercedes Benz, Netflix, Next, The North West Baby Show, Queen Mary University of London, UJIA, United Nations, and Young Jewish Care. A Chat with Natalie Silverman As part of our ‘Chat with…’ podcast series at Great British Speakers, our director Jane Farnham sat down with Natalie to talk about her life as a radio and TV presenter, her fertility journey, lessons learned about fertility, and what led her to start The Fertility Podcast. [embed]https://vimeo.com/762699960[/embed] Natalie is also a popular host at Great British Presenters and voiceover artist at Great British Voices. Call +44 1753 439 289 or email Great British Speakers now to book Fertility Education Speaker Natalie Silverman for your corporate event. Contact us.

Payzee Mahmod is a survivor and activist tackling gender based violence. As a British Kurd with lived experience, she is a passionate advocate and campaigner raising awareness about harmful practices including child marriage, FGM, virginity testing and hymenoplasty. In addition to her own lived-experience, Payzee Mahmod also suffered the loss of her sister in a so-called “honour killing”. Her story is not unique and is the reality experienced by millions of girls around the world. After being forced into a child marriage aged 16, Payzee lead the 3 year long campaign to change the legal age of marriage from 16 to 18, in England and Wales (Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Bill, 2023). Payzee has regularly appeared in national media both nationally and globally, and her petition to urge the government to criminalise all form of child marriage received a quarter of a million signatures.  Since making worldwide news, Payzee now uses her platform to spread awareness on “honour” based abuse, child marriage and promoting the importance of gender inclusion and raising money for good causes.  Payzee is regularly called upon to share her experiences and expertise nationally and internationally, with government, academics, media and professionals and she is a member of Girls Not Brides Advisory Committee and sits on several Boards. As a seasoned speaker who empowers women to stand up for their rights, her eye-opening talks are both inspiring and impactful. Using her personal accounts to support great change, Payzee shares actionable strategies with corporate audiences to improve awareness and policy making in professional environments. Payzee Mahmod has delivered TEDx talks and her first talk 'A Survivor's Plea to end Child Marriage' has been viewed more than a million times.  Contact Great British Speakers today to book inspirational survivor and campaigner against gender based violence Payzee Mahmod for your next event. With a lifelong mission to ensure that all children are protected against the harms of child marriage, Payzee Mahmod now works with IKWRO (Iranian and Kurdish Women's Rights Organisation) and other NGOs to bring these topics to the forefront and help break down the barriers and taboos.  By speaking out boldly against these taboo topics, Payzee has broken the silence and empowers crucial conversations and actions to reject violence against women and girls, tackling cultural relativism, racism and discrimination including from government policies. Payzee Awards and Recognition For her impactful advocacy work Payzee Mahmod was named UK Parliament Volunteer of the Year 2021 and was also celebrated with special recognition at the UN Women UK Awards 2020. In 2022 Payzee was selected to take part in a 6 months programme with The Obama Foundation’s Europe Leaders Programme. Payzee Mahmod | Training and Advice Services As well as advocating for and supporting women and girls directly, Payzee offers advice and training for professionals from the statutory and voluntary sectors, including; schools and all education providers, police, social services, healthcare providers and housing services to better understand the needs of the women and girls from MENA communities, the types of abuse they experience and to provide best practice and support services. Supporting schools and colleges, Payzee provides workshops to students on healthy relationships and harmful practices to try to combat abuse within families and future relationships by raising awareness on these issues and ensuring all students know how to stay safe if they or others are at risk. She has also taken part in Oxford University’s ‘Story Night’ lectures to share her own lived experience and to inspire others to story tell. Payzee can provide bespoke training sessions tailored to the needs of organisations, on the harmful practices of “honour” based abuse, forced marriage, child marriage, female genital mutilation and domestic abuse. Organisations and professionals can have an increased understanding of harmful practices, as well as be able to identify the signs and symptoms, be confident in responding and have an increased knowledge of support available in responding to any cases of harmful practices.   [embed]https://vimeo.com/895850473[/embed] Payzee Mahmod | Speaking Topics Payzee can tailor her talks for individual organisations and their audiences but can include the following topics. Gender Equality  Female Genital Mutilation  Violence Against Women and Girls  Forced and Child Marriage  Harmful Practises  Intergenerational  Empowerment Domestic Abuse  Toxic masculinity  Rape culture  Resilience  BAME  Motivational Diversity  Mental Health Storytelling  Call +44 1753 439 289 or email Great British Speakers now to book inspirational survivor and global campaigner against gender based violence Payzee Mahmod to speak at your next event.  Contact us.

Tanya is a consultant clinical psychologist specialising in child and adolescent mental health. She has an NHS career spanning twenty years working in many areas of mental health. Until 2003 she ran a national NHS beacon-awarded training programme for NHS and Social Care staff on Managing Aggression and Violence in the Professional context. Tanya is a renowned broadcaster and has appeared as a presenter or on-screen expert on a range of shows including Child of Our Time(BBC1), Little Angels(BBC3) and House of Tiny Tearaways (BBC3). She also contributes regularly to a range of programmes on BBC Radio 4 such as All in the Mind. Tanya Byron Writing Tanya Byron co-wrote the popular BBC comedy series The life and times of Vivienne Vyle (BBC2) with Jennifer Saunders.Tanya is widely published as a writer. As well as a number of successful parenting books, Tanya's acclaimed account of her training as a clinical psychologist, The Skeleton Cupboard, (Pan Macmillan) provides a powerful and moving insight into the lives of ordinary people with an amazing resilience to the challenges of life. Tanya also has a weekly column, Ask Tanya Byron in The Times and a monthly column in Good Housekeeping. Tanya is an independent national and international government adviser on children, young people and the digital media - in 2008 she published The Byron Review: Safer Children in a Digital World and its follow up review Do We have Safer Children in a Digital World (2010) and sat on Lord Carter's Digital Britain advisory board (2009). Tanya Byron Podcasting Alongside Claudia Winkleman, Tanya is the co-host of How Did We Get Here? an original podcast series in which Tanya and Claudia identify struggles faced by real-life parents and family members by inviting them in and hearing their story. With topics ranging from parental estrangement, gender identity, domestic violence, trauma, inheriting mental health issues, family dynamics after cancer and raising a severely disabled daughter, How Did We Get Here? is a passionate, insightful and moving experience with clear outcomes to each episode. This podcast doesn’t tell people how to raise their children, or reconnect with family members, rather it helps people understand why, as perfectly competent adults, they can’t put into practice what they know they should do. Tanya Byron Public Speaking Tanya is an experienced public speaker and regularly gives talks on psychology, education and childcare, drawing on her years of experience as a clinical psychologist. The authority Tanya wields over these current and vitally important topics always impresses audiences. They come away understanding how they can show resilience and in doing so, foster resilience in children. She helps them to understand how our brains work, in particular the developing brain and how we can face the common challenges that children and young people are facing in terms of their mental health and wellbeing. She can also explain what is driving mental health problems in modern society and the best ways in which we - as individuals, employers, parents and educational institutions - can sufficiently support those around us and in our care. Tanya Byron Speaking Topics Education, Change, Health & Well-being Tanya Byron Past Speaking clients - Royal Television Society Educational TV Awards - Cambridge University Debating Society - National Family Week [DCSF] - Langdon Foundation - International Business Leaders Forum - Homestart - Oxford Internet Institute - Nominet - Becta - Childbase Staff Conference - RSA - Women of Distinction Awards - National Family and Parenting Institute at House of Commons - ChildLine - Royal College of Medicine Contact Jane Farnham at Great British Speakers now to book consultant clinical psychologist Prof Tanya Byron to speak at your next live event or online.

Shakira Akabusi is a TV presenter, keynote speaker, and women's health expert specialising in pre- and postnatal exercise and menopause health. She is the founder of StrongLikeMum, author of The StrongLikeMum Method, and is the fitness and health expert for ITV's Lorraine. As a mum of four, Shakira understands first-hand the juggle of balancing parenthood with a healthy lifestyle. Through StrongLikeMum, Shakira Akabusi offers expert advice and support, answering all the questions women might have about how to keep active during and after pregnancy. Shakira's work expands across TV, radio, print, and social media, as well as in-person talks and workshops. Most recently, she has partnered with Channel 4, ITV, Amazon UK, Adidas Global, EE Learn Live, Bupa, and Gym Shark. She has also written for Vogue, Stylist Magazine, Women's Health Magazine, and Huffington Post. She is passionate about looking at the power that the female body and mind have on pre- and postpartum and during pregnancy. She believes that mums can be strong and provides advice on exercise, sleep, nutrition and overall lifestyle. She speaks fluent German as her mother is German. She is also a mental health advocate and has gone public with her own experiences with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Contact Great British Speakers today to book women’s health expert Shakira Akabusi for your next event. Beginning her career in musical theatre in London’s West End, Shakira Akabusi retrained and qualified as an expert in pregnancy exercise and postnatal rehabilitation in 2013, just before giving birth to her first son.  Initially coaching women on a one-to-one basis, Shakira expanded this work by sharing her expertise on social media at live event, while documenting her own journey through pregnancy exercise, postnatal recovery and  motherhood. Shakira Akabusi has appeared several times on ITV’s This Morning and GB News, and has been a contestant on Celebrity Pointless on BBC 1, partnering with her dad Kriss Akabusi. She has worked with brands doing presentations, talks and corporate work for Adidas UK, Vogue, Virgin Start Ups, The National Running Show, Bugaboo and COS and has been featured in Women’s Health Magazine, Vogue, Mother and Baby Magazine, BBC Tiny Happy People and on BBC Radio. Hailing from a big family with strong traditions steeped in both German and Nigerian cultures – a love of family is at the heart of everything Shakira does. When not working she is kept on her toes by her four children and boisterous chocolate Labrador Hugo. “I found that during my first pregnancy I was continually bombarded with negative stereotypes and outdated myths of what motherhood would be like. Whilst we can encounter challenges in parenting, we can also feel physically and emotionally confident throughout, if given the right support. My aim with StrongLikeMum is to shatter the outdated stereotypes and offer that support for all women.”       StrongLikeMum Initially working in musical theatre, Shakira Akabusi retrained in pregnancy exercise and postnatal rehabilitation in 2013, just before the birth of her first son. She has since shared this expertise on social media – where she has over 30,000 followers – and at live events. She has worked with women for over 15 years as a qualified pre- and postnatal exercise specialist, and peri- and post-menopause trainer. Supporting women to sustain a healthy lifestyle at all stages of life. Shakira believes that mums can be strong and provides advice on exercise, sleep, nutrition and overall lifestyle. As of 2023, Shakira was a mum of four, and through this first-hand experience, she understands the juggle that being a mum and having a healthy lifestyle can be, and she wants to help other mothers going through the same thing. Exercise during pregnancy can be a scary time, especially if the pregnancy comes after a previous loss. Some expectant mothers may be reluctant to do any for fear of harm. Shakira provides expert advice on keeping active during and after pregnancy and maintaining a healthy mental mindset. In 2022, Shakira published her book The Strong Like Mum Method: Awaken the Power of Your Pre and Postnatal Body Through Instinct, Knowledge and Exercise. In the book, she drew on all her knowledge and experience to look at the stereotypes of pregnancies and motherhood and what a ‘modern mum’ can be, specifically looking into physical fitness and mental health. The book was a hit and would go on to chart in Amazon’s ‘Pregnancy & Exercise’ bestsellers list. Mental Health Shakira strongly believes that physical health and mental wellbeing go hand in hand, especially during pregnancy or after birth. Her own mental health difficulties have led her to be an ambassador for The ReThink Mental Illness charity. Whilst on Lorraine in 2022, Shakira told her story of experiencing post-pregnancy OCD. She explained, “We were meant to be going on holiday to California and we were at the airport. I could see all the cracks on the floor leading to the check in desk. I had a complete breakdown. I knew I could not get to the check in desk, let alone on holiday. It had been going on for years. At that point I realised although I thought I was keeping everybody safe, that was the moment where I realised how much of a hold it actually had over me. That was a really scary moment and that was the beginning of the change.” She explains that she initially hid her compulsions and mental health issues, believing she could deal with it herself. Realising that wasn’t possible, she went on to have talking therapy and hypnotherapy, and combined with her own physical activity, she began to recover. Public Speaking Shakira is often asked to appear on TV and radio shows, such as This Morning, Lorraine, and GB News, and speak at large industry events in the hope that she will shatter stereotypes around motherhood and fitness. Her expertise has been featured in national publications, including Vogue, Mother and Baby, and Women’s Health Magazine. She has been featured on several industry podcasts, including Mum’s the Word! The Parenting Podcast with Ashley James, where she spoke about how to approach exercise after childbirth; Happy Mum Happy Baby – Asking for Friend, talking about how to stay fit during pregnancy; The Therapy Edit, where she spoke about adapting to new situations; Outside & Active, where she spoke about squashing motherhood stereotypes; and Relatively About Siblings, appearing with her sister Ashanti, talking about what their upbringing was like with their famous father Kriss Akabusi. Shakira also runs her own podcast, the StrongLikeMum podcast, which looks at all aspects of pregnancy, childbirth, and pre and postnatal wellness. Speaking Topics - Motherhood - Parenting - Mental Health and Wellbeing - Fitness - Nutrition - Diversity and Inclusion - Female Inspiration Clients Adidas UK, Vogue Global, Virgin Start Ups, The National Running Show, RunFestRun, Pregnacare, Aveeno, Refinery 29, Liz Earle Wellbeing, the NACWG, Fitpro, Bugaboo, COS. Call +44 1753 439 289 or email Great British Speakers now to book motherhood mental health speaker Shakira Akabusi for your corporate event. Contact us.