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Empathy strategist & AI ethics leader

Belinda Parmar

Build human-centred leadership in the AI era with Belinda Parmar OBE, empathy and AI keynote speaker. Belinda works with global organisations, including Lloyds Bank and Aston Martin, to embed empathy as a competitive advantage, delivering measurable results. World Economic Forum Young Global Leader and a Non-Executive Director for the Ministry of Defence.

Trusted by Lacoste, United Nations, World Economic Forum, UK Ministry of Defence

Belinda Parmar
Belinda Parmar

Belinda Parmar

London, United Kingdom

Typical fee range

£11k–25k

This is an estimated fee range for local in-person events. Location and format affect the final fee.

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London, United Kingdom

Starting from

£11k–25k

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Belinda Parmar's biography

At a glance

  • CEO of The Empathy Business, a consultancy embedding empathy into companies
  • OBE recipient and World Economic Forum Young Global Leader
  • Author of a leadership playbook on empathy in the AI era
Belinda Parmar OBE helps leaders understand what only humans can do in an age when artificial intelligence is absorbing more of the cognitive work organisations once relied on people to perform. A qualified barrister, World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, and OBE recipient, Belinda is currently writing a leadership playbook for Penguin Random House on practical empathy in the AI era. As CEO of The Empathy Business and a Non-Executive Director for the Ministry of Defence, Belinda has spent two decades turning empathy into a commercial advantage for clients including Lloyds Bank, Barclays, Lexus, Toyota, and AGL. Her Global Empathy Index, published in the Harvard Business Review, links empathy rankings directly to earnings, productivity, and retention. Belinda's results are backed by the numbers. An Empathy and Empowerment Programme she delivered, training over 200 Fraud & Complaints advisers, produced a 9% uplift in net promoter rates and a 7.5% reduction in call handling times. Her work with AGL cut customer complaints by 20.9% and saved $1.7 million. In 2026, She won the New Possible British HR Award for Change Management Initiative of the Year — recognition of the culture transformation work she has implemented in her role as Empathy-in-Residence at Barclays.  Audiences leave Belinda's sessions with a clear framework for making the leadership calls AI can't, a method for measuring empathy as a performance metric, and the confidence to lead the transition to human-AI collaboration rather than be led by it. Book Belinda when your organisation needs one of the world's leading authorities on empathy, technology, and business performance, to help drive measurable business change.

Belinda's showreel and videos

Topics, sessions and talks

Human-Centred Leadership In An AI world
In her talk, Belinda Parmar emphasises that as AI transforms the workplace, human leadership remains crucial. She shares practical techniques for leading with empathy, clarity, and connection, highlighting the importance of emotional intelligence in a tech-driven world. Attendees will learn how to enhance their leadership skills, fostering stronger team dynamics and improving workplace culture amidst the rise of artificial intelligence.

Why we recommend booking Belinda

Belinda's work with Lloyds, Toyota, and Lexus has consistently translated empathy into measurable commercial outcomes with 9% NPS lifts, 20% complaint reductions, and seven-figure savings. Her Global Empathy Index, published in Harvard Business Review, gives leadership teams a performance metric for the capabilities AI cannot replicate, particularly valuable as organisations navigate human-machine collaboration at scale.

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Trusted by Lacoste, United Nations, World Economic Forum, UK Ministry of Defence

Testimonials

Belinda was amazing – absolutely amazing feedback!

Belinda’s session was a great finish to our leadership conference. I think she delivered exactly what we wanted at what was probably not the easiest session at the end of the day on a Friday.

Your presentation on Human Leadership in an AI World really resonated with our people. I particularly love that shift from inspiration to action. I feel empowered to do instead of just talking about it now. Thank you and what an amazing event!

Novartis

Featured Projects

Belinda Parmar - The Empathy Era book cover
Belinda Parmar - Little Miss Geek book cover

frequently asked questions

Something we've not covered here?

How do I book Belinda Parmar for my next event?

What is Belinda Parmar's speaking style like?

Belinda Parmar structures her sessions around a measurement-based framework, drawing on her Global Empathy Index — published in the Harvard Business Review — to position empathy as a quantifiable performance metric rather than a soft skill. She presents case-study evidence from client engagements, citing specific figures such as a 9% uplift in net promoter rates and a $1.7 million cost saving, to demonstrate the commercial return on empathy-led leadership.

What topics does Belinda Parmar specialise in?

Belinda Parmar OBE's sessions address human-centred leadership in an AI-driven workplace, empathy as a measurable performance metric, and emotional intelligence in tech-led organisational change. Her headline credential is the Global Empathy Index, published in the Harvard Business Review, which links empathy rankings directly to earnings, productivity, and retention.

Does PepTalk charge a booking fee?

No. PepTalk adds no booking fee, so you pay the speaker's fee and nothing beyond it. The service, from shortlist through to contracts and event-day logistics, is included. For repeat or multi-event bookings, PepTalk can agree preferential rates with your procurement team.

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Share your event date, audience, format, objectives and budget, and PepTalk sends a hand-picked shortlist within 24 hours. Each suggestion comes with a profile, a fee and a recommendation on the strongest fit. Once you choose, PepTalk handles contracts, travel and logistics through to event day.

What does the typical fee range mean?

The typical fee range is the speaker's standard in-person fee in their home market, shown in their local currency. It moves with format, location, date and session length: virtual sessions and shorter slots usually cost less, while international travel and peak dates cost more. Send your brief to PepTalk and the team will confirm the exact fee in your currency.

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Not all of them, and it makes no difference to your booking. PepTalk's network of 15,000+ speakers covers talent the team works with directly alongside speakers represented by agents and agencies worldwide. PepTalk approaches the speaker, negotiates the fee and handles contracting either way.

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Does PepTalk charge a booking fee?

There is no additional cost to you beyond the speaker's fee. PepTalk's service, from shortlist to on-the-day logistics, is included. For repeat or multi-event bookings, the team can agree preferential rates with your procurement department. Email hello@getapeptalk.com to discuss.

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I need a last-minute speaker. Can PepTalk help?

Yes. PepTalk regularly handles last-minute requests and can secure or replace a speaker, host, or comedian quickly, often within days. Availability narrows as the date nears, so get in touch as early as you can. Email hello@getapeptalk.com with your requirements.

How much does it cost to book a speaker through PepTalk?

Speaker fees vary by profile, format, and location. In the UK and Europe, virtual keynotes typically start around GBP 2,000, with top in-person speakers reaching GBP 25,000+; in the US, fees run from about USD 5,000 to USD 100,000+. Share your budget at getapeptalk.com and we'll shortlist to fit.

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Yes. If a speaker isn't listed, tell PepTalk their name and the team will approach them for you. The network extends well beyond the public roster, and PepTalk regularly books speakers who don't appear on the site. Email hello@getapeptalk.com with the name.

How quickly will I get a speaker shortlist?

You'll receive a hand-picked shortlist within 24 hours of sharing your brief. Each suggestion comes with profiles, fees, and PepTalk's recommendation on the strongest fit. If you need options sooner for an urgent event, say so and the team will move faster. Start at getapeptalk.com.

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What does 'typical fee range' mean?

Speaker fees vary based on factors like event location, format, and availability. The 'typical fee range' figure gives you a baseline of someone's local, in-person rate sits, and we'll confirm the exact fee when you get in touch.

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Before your speakers arrive, confirm AV is tested, a green room is ready, and printed schedules are on hand. Prepare warm introductions for each speaker and brief your team on timings. PepTalk speakers come fully briefed, making event-day logistics smoother and stress-free from the start.

What's the difference between a keynote speaker, an MC, and event entertainment?

A keynote speaker delivers an inspiring or informative talk. An MC hosts and guides the event, keeping things on track. Entertainment — like a band or comedian — creates atmosphere and fun. Each serves a different purpose, and PepTalk can help you book the right talent for all three.

Have all the speakers on the website previously worked with PepTalk?

Not necessarily. While the speakers listed on our website may not have worked with PepTalk in the past, they are recognized professionals in the industry and known to engage in similar events and engagements. Alongside direct talent, we work with a wide variety of speaker agents and talent agencies, to ensure we have the best selection of speakers, hosts, comedians and entertainers available.

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When booking a comedian, share your event format, audience size and demographics, any sensitive topics to avoid, and the tone you're after. PepTalk makes this easy — their booking process guides you through a simple checklist so nothing gets missed and your comedian is perfectly matched to your crowd.

What information do I need to provide when booking a speaker?

When booking a speaker, you'll need your event date, audience details, format, key objectives, and budget. Having these ready makes the process smooth and straightforward. PepTalk's team uses this information to match you with the perfect speaker quickly and efficiently.

Can I book entertainment and speakers as a package?

Yes! At PepTalk, you can absolutely bundle entertainment and speakers into one seamless package. It's a great way to create a fuller event experience while enjoying simplified booking and better value. Our team handles everything together, making the process effortless for you.

How far in advance should I book a motivational speaker?

Book a motivational speaker at least 3–6 months in advance, especially for popular speakers or large events. Top speakers get booked quickly, so earlier is always better. For major conferences or peak seasons, booking 12 months ahead ensures you secure your first choice.

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How far in advance should I book a speaker?

Three to six months ahead is comfortable for most events, and 12 months is better for large conferences, peak-season dates or one specific in-demand speaker. Shorter timelines are workable, and PepTalk regularly fills last-minute and replacement bookings within days. Availability is the constraint, so get in touch as soon as you have a date.