Available to book
Tom Lawton
Creativity
Marketing
Innovation
Transform innovation culture with Tom Lawton, speaker and British inventor. Tom works with organisations to develop creative thinking, sustainable design, and product innovation, delivering award-winning solutions recognised internationally.
Artist
Innovator
Designer
Design Thinking
Professional
Tom Lawton personifies the essence of the Great British Inventor, effortlessly combining creativity, skill, and determination to transform his innovative ideas into reality.
With a degree in product design and numerous accolades under his belt, his diverse and imaginative designs have garnered both commercial success and critical acclaim, not only in the UK but also on an international scale.
As a true polymath, Tom's creative potential knows no bounds as he constantly pushes the boundaries and explores uncharted territories, reveling in the thrill of discovery. His unwavering enthusiasm and unconventional perspective allow him to view challenges as opportunities, firmly believing that finding solutions is integral to the adventure.
Tom's speaking repertoire spans a wide range of thought-provoking topics, from the art of lateral thinking and innovating on a limited budget to finding inspiration in the most mundane aspects of life and achieving sustainability in design. He also delves into personal resilience and emphasizes the significance of following one's passion and inner voice.
Tom's approachable and captivating style captivates his audience, inspiring them to perceive the world of invention and creativity through his unique lens.
Topics, sessions and talks
The Epic Adventure of a Life Lived with Imagination and the Pursuit of a Childhood Dream to Become a Great Inventor. What would it be like to follow your heart and to live a life with pure imagination – that’s the basis for an inventor’s tale, Tom’s life story and book in writing. To dream the impossible dream, to never give up and to see it through – against all the odds and with the courage of a tiger. From WakeYoo to Wonder, Tom’s tale inspires everyone to follow their intuition and to dare to dream of a world where everything can be made a little bit better, and we can all find joy together in balance.
Even in the most mundane situations, inspiration stares at us, and good ideas are right there under our noses, waiting to be discovered. Every problem has a solution, and the path to a better world is just a daydream away. Whatever your resource, good ideas catalyse an emerging new world. It just takes a creative brain - and we can all nurture that if we follow our intuition and trust our unique perspective of life. With humility and passion, Tom shows how to unlock the power of creativity and the wonder in us all.
In 2015, Tom set his mission on providing an antidote to planned obsolescence with several original and durable designs that outlast their competitors and define a new category of product innovation that serves to be engineered for life. From the ingenious skateboard bike to Million Mile Light, the battery-free running light where you are the power source, to Honking Handlebars and Uplift, a solar-powered spiralling sculpture designed to soothe your soul. Tom tasks himself by thinking outside of short-term product lifecycles, and with the power of good design, he reminds us of how anything can be designed to last a very long time.
It's never too late to make a change, but we must envision the world we desire. Beyond government guidelines, there's a human need to unite and restore Earth's beauty and balance. Design, habits, and behaviors play crucial roles in this effort. Eco innovator Tom began developing sustainable products in 2003 and won the US Green Dot Award in 2009 for his invention, Firewinder, a wind-powered spiraling light. His talk will highlight his inspirations from nature and the challenges he faced before the world embraced sustainability. Attendees will learn about Tom's value-driven approach and the joy of 'doing the right thing.'
Tom Lawton offers your team insights into innovation, creativity, and resilience. His unique perspective and captivating storytelling will inspire your team to think laterally, embrace challenges as opportunities, and ignite a passion for sustainable and inventive solutions in your business practices.
Testimonials
often considered together
Scott Morrison
Creativity
Storytelling
Marketing
Roberta Lucca
Innovation
High Performance
Productivity
Edward Enninful
Diversity and Inclusion
Workplace Culture
Creativity
frequently asked questions
Something we've not covered here?
Email tom.lawton@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 Tom'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.
Tom Lawton structures his sessions around the narrative arc of his own invention journey, using specific product case studies — such as the Million Mile Light and the skateboard bike — as concrete illustrations of principles including lateral thinking, designing for longevity, and finding inspiration in everyday situations.
Tom Lawton's sessions cover invention and personal narrative, unlocking creativity and finding inspiration, and designing for durability and resilience. He holds a degree in product design and has received international recognition for his product innovations, including the battery-free Million Mile Light and a range of designs built around the principle of engineering for longevity.
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.
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