Available to book

LGBTQ+ advocate & inclusion speaker

Gareth Thomas

Team Building

Influence

LGBTQ+

Transform workplace inclusion with Gareth Thomas, speaker and LGBTQ+ advocate. Gareth works with organisations to build resilience, challenge stigma, and embrace diversity, delivering powerful insights as Stonewall's Hero of the Year and leader of the "Tackle HIV" campaign.

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Trusted by Northern Trust Corporation, Stonewall, Tackle HIV

Gareth Thomas

London, United Kingdom

Starting from

£6–10k

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London, United Kingdom

Starting from

£6–10k

Send an email

loading@getapeptalk.com

Give us a call

+44 203 835 2929

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Vetted speaker

Gareth Thomas's biography

Pride

After Dinner Sports

Celebrity

Rugby

Inclusion

Sport

IDAHOBIT

At a glance

First openly gay professional rugby union player
Advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and HIV awareness
Former Welsh international rugby star and second-highest try scorer

Gareth Thomas, former Welsh rugby star turned LGBTQ+ and HIV awareness advocate, breaks barriers with the same determination that earned him 100 caps for Wales and second-highest try scorer status in the nation's history. In 2009, Thomas made headlines as the first openly gay professional rugby union player, later revealing his HIV-positive status to challenge persistent stigmas. His award-winning memoir "Proud" and documentary "Gareth Thomas: HIV and Me" have transformed public conversations around sexuality and health. Named Most Influential Gay Person in the UK and recipient of Stonewall's Hero of the Year, Thomas now leads the "Tackle HIV" campaign to combat misinformation. Beyond his advocacy, Thomas brings powerful insights on resilience, authenticity and inclusion to organisations navigating today's complex social landscape. His personal journey from international sports icon to influential change-maker offers teams practical lessons in overcoming adversity and embracing diversity. Book Gareth Thomas to inspire your team with a story of courage that transcends sport.

Gareth's showreel and videos

Topics, sessions and talks

LGBTQ+ Representation In Professional Environments

Gareth Thomas discusses the importance of LGBTQ+ visibility and inclusivity in professional settings, advocating for supportive workplaces that embrace diversity and foster a sense of belonging for everyone.

Why we recommend booking Gareth

Gareth brings your team a unique blend of elite sports achievement and groundbreaking advocacy, inspiring resilience, inclusivity, and courage. His firsthand experiences in breaking barriers and fostering acceptance in challenging environments will empower and enlighten your team on the importance of diversity and inclusion. Booking Gareth as a speaker guarantees an impactful, motivational experience that will leave a lasting impression on your organisation.

Check Gareth's availability

Trusted by Northern Trust Corporation, Stonewall, Tackle HIV

Testimonials

["Please pass on the biggest thank you to Gareth! What a talk! That was amazing! I've had so many messages from the team and that has sparked some real conversation on slack too which is always a good sign!","I’ve never felt such joy, shame, pride, anger, frustration, and happiness within a 60-minute session. I felt like Riley from Inside Out 😉 Very happy to have been able to play a small part, and huge thanks to fellow Suntorians, the PepTalk team and the remarkable Gareth [Thomas]","Gareth was wonderful, he was incredibly genuine and authentic. We appreciate him taking the time to answer our employees’ questions as well. Please extend a heartfelt thank you on behalf of Ascot."]

Jules Denise

["RipJar","Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I","Senior Vice President, US Head of Human Resources, Ascot Group"]

A really inspirational story.

Northern Trust Corporation

The session received amazing feedback and people were really engaged in the session. I would highly recommend Gareth [Thomas] as a guest speaker. Fantastic!

Kingfisher Plc, Kingfisher Plc

15,000+ experts

Have Questions About Booking?

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What topics does Gareth Thomas specialise in?

Gareth Thomas specialises in discussing rugby, LGBTQ+ advocacy, diversity and inclusion and more.

What is Gareth Thomas's speaking style like?

Gareth delivers with authenticity and passion, sharing powerful lessons on resilience and inclusion. His engaging style inspires teams to embrace diversity and overcome challenges with courage and openness.

How can I book Gareth Thomas for my next event?

Email gareth.thomas@getapeptalk.com or call us 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 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. As speaker agents, PepTalk can secure Gareth Thomas for commercial and corporate events, conference keynotes, leadership talks, celebrity brand endorsements & partnerships, personal appearances, and motivational speaking engagements. We can assist with enquiries about Gareth Thomas's speaking fees, availability, and booking process for private business functions, industry conferences, and team events. Please note, for media interviews, autographs, charity appearances, or personal matters, we recommend contacting Gareth Thomas directly.

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. 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.

Can I request autographs, personal greetings, signed merchandise, or fan mail from the speakers?

Sorry, we do not accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, or any non-commercial contact with the speakers, comedians or entertainers.

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Yes. PepTalk books commercial podcast guests every week of the year. A high-profile voice can boost your podcast's reach and deliver ideas to your audience at scale. Fees typically start from £1,200 / $1,500, depending on the expert. Our network includes bestselling authors, industry leaders, and cultural figures who have appeared on leading global podcasts — and many host their own. Whether you want bold insights, candid stories, or deep expertise, we'll help you find the right guest to elevate your show. Contact us today to book your next podcast guest.

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.

Help, I need a last-minute speaker for my event!

No problem! We often handle last-minute requests and can secure or replace a speaker, comedian, awards or event host quickly — almost anywhere in the world. However, speaker availability might be limited as the event date approaches. Email hello@getapeptalk.com with your requirements.