Available to book
Ruth Davidson
Politics
LGBTQ+
Mental Health
Transform leadership culture with Ruth Davidson, speaker, political leadership and diversity expert. Ruth works with organisations to develop authentic leadership, gender equality and inclusion strategies, delivering unique insights as a Time 100 influential leader and former Scottish Conservative Party head.
Event Hosts
Journalist
Business Leader
Broadcaster
Inclusion
Author
Ruth Davidson is a journalist, broadcaster, author, and politician who led the Scottish Conservative Party for eight years. Under her leadership, the party achieved its best electoral performance in thirty-five years. She played a key role in the Scottish independence and EU referendum campaigns, participating in live debates at the Glasgow Hydro and Wembley Arena.
As the first openly gay leader of a major UK political party and the first to give birth in office, she has made significant strides in public life. Ruth often discusses gender, inclusion, and equality, using her experiences to advocate for authentic leadership.
With a background as a BBC journalist and a Territorial Army soldier, she emphasises individual expression, trust, and leadership development in large organisations. Her close professional relationships with successive Prime Ministers and her experience in the UK Cabinet provide her with a unique perspective on the political landscape in Scotland and the UK.
Her book, Yes She Can – Why Women Own the Future, presents a positive view of global gender advancement, highlighting women's progress towards equality and the challenges that remain. It features insights from influential women such as Christine Lagarde, Dame Katherine Grainger, and Melinda French Gates, whom she interviewed for the research.
Although focused on the Scottish Parliament, Ruth has built a UK-wide platform. She is a skilled political communicator, appearing on shows like Have I Got News for You, The One Show, and celebrity editions of The Chase and Bake Off, as well as on Newsnight and Question Time. She was named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people, alongside figures like Jacinda Ardern and Prince Harry.
Before entering politics, Ruth worked as a presenter, producer, and documentary maker in broadcast journalism. After stepping down as party leader, she returned to journalism, providing political commentary for various publications, hosting a weekly show on Times Radio, and co-hosting Sky's Electoral Dysfunction podcast with Beth Rigby.
Topics, sessions and talks
In this session, Ruth Davidson gives an overview of British politics, in Westminster and Edinburgh. She shares her story from journalism to politics, including leading the Scottish Conservatives, changing perceptions of the party and herself, and diversity in politics. Ruth also discusses the importance of destigmatising mental health support, and her personal experience as an LGBTQ+ member of the Scottish Parliament.
Book Ruth Davidson to inspire your team with her insights on authentic leadership, gender equality, and breaking barriers. Her unique experiences in politics and media, combined with her engaging communication style, will empower your audience to embrace change and foster inclusivity in the workplace. Don’t miss this opportunity!
Featured Projects
often considered together
William Hague
Politics
Business Strategy
Government
Carrie Gracie
Gender Equality
Workplace Culture
Diversity and Inclusion
Andrew Marr
Politics
Communication
Economics
frequently asked questions
Something we've not covered here?
Email ruth.davidson@getapeptalk.com or call PepTalk on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm Ruth's availability and fees. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and a bit about your audience.
Ruth Davidson draws on her personal trajectory — from BBC journalist and Territorial Army soldier to leader of the Scottish Conservative Party — to frame her sessions around lived experience in politics, leadership, and identity. She uses her own story as a through-line to address topics including mental health, LGBTQ+ visibility, and diversity in public life.
Baroness Ruth Davidson's sessions cover British politics across Westminster and Edinburgh, the Scottish Conservative Party's electoral resurgence, LGBTQ+ representation, mental health destigmatisation, and diversity in political life. She led the Scottish Conservative Party for eight years, during which it achieved its best electoral performance in thirty-five years, and was the first openly gay leader of a major UK political party.
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.
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.
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.
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.
To get the sharpest shortlist, share your event date, audience, format, key objectives, and budget. A rough idea is enough to start. The more context PepTalk has, the more precisely the team can match a speaker to your brief. Send it via getapeptalk.com.
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.
Booking a speaker with PepTalk starts with a short brief: your event, audience, date, budget, and format. Send it through getapeptalk.com or hello@getapeptalk.com and you'll get a shortlist within 24 hours. Once you choose, PepTalk handles contracts, fees, travel, and logistics end to end.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Yes. Beyond booking a single speaker, PepTalk helps shape a full programme, matching voices to your agenda, audience, and goals across a day or a series. It is a consultative service, not just a booking. Tell us about your event at getapeptalk.com.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Yes. Most PepTalk speakers deliver virtual and hybrid sessions with live Q&A, and virtual keynotes usually cost less than in-person because there is no travel. Tell us your platform and format and we'll match speakers experienced in online delivery. Start at getapeptalk.com.
Share your organisation's top 3 strategic priorities, current challenges, and the audience's role in delivering them. A simple one-page brief works perfectly. PepTalk speakers use this context to tailor insights that feel genuinely relevant — making your event far more impactful.
Yes! Most event entertainers are happy to tailor their act to your brand, industry, or theme. From weaving in company jokes to incorporating your branding into their performance, personalisation makes all the difference. PepTalk's entertainers specialise in bespoke experiences that feel made just for your audience.
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.
Get the right person
Tell us what you’re working on and we’ll match you with the talent your audience won’t stop talking about.
