Johanne Penney
Build inclusive cultures with Johanne Penney, speaker and inclusion strategist. Johanne works with executive teams to drive systemic change, delivering award-winning expertise for Spotify, Barclays, and the NHS.
London, United Kingdom
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A former law graduate whose career was derailed by racial discrimination, Johanne rebuilt her path with one mantra: Think Big. Today, she advises leaders across corporate, public, charitable, and creative sectors, from global brands and FTSE organisations to scaling founders and membership bodies, helping them to build cultures rooted in belonging, accountability, and measurable impact.
Her work moves inclusion beyond performative gestures and into sustainable business strategy. She specialises in succession planning, sponsorship pipelines, psychological safety, cultural competency, executive influence, and systemic culture change, ensuring equity becomes embedded in decision-making, not siloed in HR.
Johanne’s clients and collaborators include Spotify, Red Bull, Barclays, BAE Systems, Trainline, Innocent Drinks, the NHS, as well as major charities and public institutions. Her programmes range from executive advisory retainers and board strategy sessions to high-impact keynotes and large-scale leadership development programmes.
Beyond her consultancy, Johanne sits on the board of Bold Waters, a social impact movement using nature and open water to build confidence, connection, and long-term change. Through her EDI Strategy and Community Engagement role, she supports efforts to address inequities in access to swimming and outdoor spaces, particularly for communities historically excluded from aquatic environments.
Johanne’s work sits at the intersection of strategy and soul helping leaders build institutions that are not only commercially strong, but culturally courageous. As a keynote speaker, Johanne is known for her compelling storytelling, strategic clarity, and ability to challenge audiences with warmth and authority. She speaks on topics such as inclusive leadership in complex systems, psychological safety as a performance strategy, and culture transformation in times of change.
A positive disruptor, Johanne consistently delivers impactful results for her clients, many of whom return for her ongoing expertise and unwavering dedication to creating lasting change.
Topics, Sessions And Talks
The concept of diversity encompasses acceptance and respect. It means understanding that each individual is unique and recognising our individual differences. This talk empowers your team to embrace and celebrate the rich dimensions of diversity contained within your organisation.
People can be apprehensive around the subject matter of racial diversity with a fear of saying the wrong thing or a simple lack of understanding. Gain valuable insight and let our experts join the conversation to explore the topic and its importance in today's modern workplace.
Teams are formed and then made. Success does not happen by chance. They are created with key roles and responsibilities, along with a culture for the pursuit of success. Take the group and make a team.
True diversity involves a business benefiting from having representation from a range of people with various racial, gender, ethnic, socioeconomic, and cultural backgrounds along with various lifestyles, experience, and interests. Learn from the experience of our experts how you can create a culture and action plan to create an authentic diverse and inclusive business.
Unconscious biases are attitudes that we hold subconsciously and affect how we feel and think towards others. Help your team recognise their biases and reduce their impact to ensure an inclusive working environment for everyone. Attendees will learn how to recognise, manage, and disrupt bias in the workplace. Participants will learn how to improve self-awareness regarding unconscious bias and review tools for mitigating bias in the workplace.
Gender equality is only achieved when people can access and enjoy the same rewards, resources, and opportunities, regardless of gender. This session explores the challenges and opportunities for achieving gender equality in various aspects of life. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the existing barriers, how to overcome them, and the benefits of creating a more equal society. Learn practical tips and strategies for individuals and organisations to promote gender equality and create a more inclusive environment.
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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.
Our goal is to help you find the speaker who best matches your event’s goals and budget. We take the time to understand your event, objectives, and audience to recommend the right fit. The most expensive option isn’t always the best one, and our priority is finding the ideal speaker or expert for your needs; not the highest-priced one.
Reach out for personalised recommendations and detailed information on specific speaker fees. We’re here to offer a tailored service and are always happy to discuss your unique requirements!
There’s no additional cost for our services beyond the speaker fee — simply contact us to find the right speaker for your next business or team event. We can also work with your corporate procurement team to negotiate favourable long-term rates, simply email hello@getapeptalk.com for more information.
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.
We also provide a full range of talent, from event hosts and moderators to interviewers and corporate entertainment, ensuring your event’s success from start to finish.
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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