Mary Portas OBE
Navigate the evolving retail landscape and discover strategies for meaningful consumer engagement with Mary Portas, speaker, brand and retail expert.
London, United Kingdom
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Mary’s journey began in the world of luxury retail, where she gained early recognition for her role as creative director at Harvey Nichols. Her groundbreaking work, including award-winning window displays, revolutionised the way fashion retail was perceived in the UK. Later, her consultancy, Portas, expanded her reach to major global brands, from Clarks and Louis Vuitton to Swarovski and Patek Philippe. Her business success is built on an in-depth understanding of human and cultural behaviour, which she applies to shape strategies that blend commercial success with social progress.
As an advocate for better business practices, Mary’s commitment extends beyond commercial work to championing the role of retail in community-building and regeneration. She led a government review into the future of Britain’s high streets, which has informed revitalisation projects nationwide. Her passion for a more ethical approach to business is reflected in her bestselling books, Work Like a Woman and Rebuild: How to Thrive in the New Kindness Economy, as well as her role co-chairing the Better Business Act. Mary’s expertise is also shared through her widely listened-to podcast, Beautiful Misfits, where she interviews changemakers from all sectors.
Mary’s ability to blend creativity, business acumen, and social consciousness makes her a highly sought-after speaker on the future of retail, consumer behaviour, workplace diversity, and building a kinder economy. Her insights continue to inspire businesses and individuals seeking to thrive in an ever-evolving world.
Topics, Sessions And Talks
Looking for a custom keynote or workshop designed around your company’s goals and culture? The expert will create a tailored, interactive session that aligns with your objectives, values, and strategic priorities. From leadership and innovation to wellbeing and collaboration, each experience is built from the ground up to deliver measurable impact and lasting change.
Featured Projects
Rebuild: How To Thrive In The New Kindness Economy
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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. 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.
We do not accommodate requests for birthday messages or any other personal, non-commercial contact with the speakers, comedians or entertainers.
We work with speakers across a variety of fee ranges, giving you the flexibility to choose someone who fits your event's needs. Virtual keynote fees in the UK and Europe typically start at £2,000, while in-person top-tier speakers can reach £25,000. In the US, virtual in-person fees range from $5,000 to over $100,000, depending on the speaker and format, such as after-dinner talks, conference keynotes, Q&As, or podcasts. Comedians generally start at £1,500 or $2,000 for a 20-minute set.
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Partnering with PepTalk means elevating your events with our curated roster of top motivational speakers, industry experts, delivering punchy keynotes that leave a lasting impact. From talent selection, to contracts and logistics, we handle it all. We have global expert network, with over 3000 speakers from over 33 countries on our line-up.
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PepTalk workshops are interactive learning experiences for leaders at all levels, blending theory with practical insights from industry experts. These programs, led by experienced facilitators, are designed to drive real mindset changes and equip participants with actionable skills. Workshops can be customised to meet your organisation's specific needs. Explore our workshop examples and contact us today to learn how your team can benefit.
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