An international branding expert and inspiring business leader who defines a brand as an “organising idea to set you apart from the competition”.
Rita Clifton is an engaging speaker on subjects as diverse as innovation, leadership, corporate reputation, communicating sustainability and nation branding.
On graduating from Cambridge, Rita Clifton began her career in advertising, working at DMB&B and later at J Walter Thompson. She joined Saatchi & Saatchi in 1986 and worked with a wide range of the agency’s high-profile clients – including British Airways, Procter & Gamble, 3i, Campbell’s Foods, The British Army, Visa International, PowerGen, Schweppes and BT. She was promoted to Director of Strategic Planning in 1992 and to Vice-Chairman & Executive Planning Director in 1995.
In 1997, Rita was invited to join Interbrand, the world’s leading brand consultancy and pioneer of brand valuation, as chief executive in London. In January 2002 she became Chairman. In her time at Interbrand, she has introduced a range of new services, including internal brand management, digital branding, brand equity tracking and brand futures. Recent clients have included NM Rothschild, Marks & Spencer, The John Lewis Partnership, Barclays, BUPA, the London Development Agency, the Red Cross and P&O.
Rita joined the board of Dixons Group plc (now DSG International) as a non-executive director in September 2003 and became non-executive chairman of Populus, the opinion pollster to The Times, in September 2004. In 2006, she was appointed visiting professor at Henley Management College, and most recently, she was appointed a trustee of WWF (Worldwide Fund for Nature).
She has been a member of the Government’s Sustainable Development Commission and is on the Assurance and Advisory Board for BP’s carbon offset programme ‘targetneutral’. She is currently a fellow of the Royal Society for Arts and of the Marketing Society and a member of the Marketing Group of Great Britain, the Market Research Society, the Account Planning Group and the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising. She has chaired…
René Carayol, a seasoned business veteran and influential mentor, leverages his rich history from managing director roles and board positions to inspire and guide top corporate leaders. With a unique perspective backed by decades of experience, René offers unparalleled insights into leadership and growth.
Linda Yueh, a distinguished economist, author, and speaker with a profound impact on global economic discussions, specialises in macroeconomics, globalisation, and China’s economic evolution. Her expertise enriches numerous prestigious institutions and media outlets.
Martin Lindstrom is one of the world’s leading experts on branding, culture and business transformation. A renowned thinker, author and keynote speaker, he helps organisations eliminate complexity, understand customers more deeply, and build resilient, human-centred businesses that thrive in an era of disruption.
Discover the inspiring journey of Paul Polman, former CEO of Unilever and a visionary leader in sustainability and business innovation. From his humble beginnings to becoming a global advocate for change, Polman’s story is a testament to impactful leadership.
Dr Gordon Campbell has been a distinguished leader in the global food retail industry over two decades.
Theresa Schleicher is a renowned futurologist for the future of retail. She advises the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection on new retail strategies. Schleicher shares her insights as a keynote speaker and leading expert on the future of retail at the Zukunftsinstitut.
An entrepreneur and thought leader on the transformation of customer relations and the future of customer-centric marketing in a time of AI.
Andrew McMillan is a leading authority on customer experience, employee engagement and leadership. Drawing on his 28 years with the John Lewis Partnership, he helps organisations connect culture, purpose and performance to create exceptional results.
Jeff Furman, President of the Ben & Jerry’s Foundation, is a leading voice in social entrepreneurship and justice. His work spans local and global initiatives, making him a sought-after keynote speaker on topics like sustainable business, social activism, and making a lasting impact.
Meet Dr Ayesha Khanna, a Forbes-recognised, groundbreaking entrepreneur and a leading expert in global artificial intelligence and smart cities. As the co-founder of Human Technology Co., she plays a pivotal role in advising global corporations and governments, shaping the future of AI and urban living across continents, particularly in AI Asia.
