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René Carayol is a passionate and dynamic keynote speaker, leadership adviser and champion for racial equality, currently serving as Founder & CEO of Everyone.. His powerful speeches are shaped by a rich career in business and deep personal experience as a Black man navigating leadership in corporate environments. This lived reality underpins his commitment to challenging inequality and promoting inclusion in the workplace. René speaks with conviction on topics such as Inclusive Leadership, Business Transformation, Diversity and Inclusion, Collaboration, Corporate Culture, and Talent. His goal is not only to inspire change but to equip organisations with the practical tools to embed inclusive practices.
René’s journey began in the 1980s, where he held roles such as Senior IT Manager at Marks & Spencer and later Systems Director for PepsiCo. His rise through the corporate world was marked by breaking barriers and challenging expectations, eventually becoming a Board Director at IPC Magazines in 1995, and later Managing Director of IPC Media in 1999. Despite often being the only person of colour at the top table, René used these experiences to fuel his advocacy for inclusion and cultural change, seeing first-hand the necessity for diverse voices in leadership. His early success laid the foundation for his influential work in business and racial equity.
In recent years, René has continued to build on his legacy. In 2021, he was appointed Executive Vice President of ESG for Medallia, aligning corporate performance with environmental, social, and governance goals. He also launched Everyone., a platform dedicated to inclusive leadership. His recognition as a LinkedIn Top Voice, his appointment as MBE for Services to the Business Community in 2004, and his authorship of books like Spike (2017) and Corporate Voodoo (2001) all reflect his thought leadership. In 2024, he delivered a keynote at the World Credit Union Conference, further cementing his place as a sought-after global speaker.
René’s speaking engagements offer more than just insight – they offer action. With a focus on inclusive leadership, he encourages leaders to embrace their personal strengths (or “spikes”) and create space for others to do the same. In addressing diversity and inclusion, he links the business case for inclusion with the human case, showing how equity fuels innovation. His work on collaboration, culture, and talent highlights how inclusive practices are central to long-term success. Organisations hire René not only for his credibility and experience, but because he connects, challenges, and empowers – driving real change from the boardroom to the grassroots.
René Carayol is regularly booked to engage audiences at events, read their latest feedback below:
“A very insightful delivery that is life-transforming. You cannot remain the same after being exposed to these concepts that René talks about. A true leader himself, René shares time-tested values and principles that deliver results. I have been impacted for life!”
“René Carayol really wowed the audience.”
“Still basking in the glory of Kuala Lumpur. What a success that was. Nearly everyone said it’s the best offsite they’ve ever been on.”
“I don’t know how to thank you enough. The grateful messages and emails are flooding in along the lines of ‘that was such a fantastic talk – one of the best I have ever attended’.”
“René’s wise counsel and experience has been transformational. Working intimately with René over the years has had a tremendous impact both on me and The World Bank.”
“A short note to say THANK YOU for a great session this morning. Your passion and energy for the topic really shone through and your authenticity through the story-telling really added to the whole experience.”
“I wanted to thank you for a fantastic session. You promised storytelling and emotion and you certainly delivered.”
“He is one of the most inspiring speakers and coaches I’ve ever had the privilege of working with.”
“A big thank you for your priceless inspiration and motivation to our fabulous team over the past three days. You have left a phenomenal impression on me personally.”
“That was such a fantastic talk – one of the best I have ever attended. I can’t wait to continue talking and to be able to do that face-to-face. You’ve lifted our spirits with an impact that will last way beyond today.”
“Thank you for everything you’ve done for me and the team, I couldn’t have achieved these outstanding results without your support and guidance along the way.”
The BAME Speakers Agency has been one of the UK’s leading bureaus for Black, Asian and minority ethnic speakers since 2020. We supply speakers for corporate and public events across the world, and cater to both in-person occasions and online webinars.
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