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René Carayol

Inspirational Leadership Keynote Speaker, Advisor, Author & Commentator

London, UK

René Carayol

Gerry Cardinale

RedBird Capital Partners

René Carayol’s Biography

René Carayol MBE is one of the world’s leading leadership speakers and executive coaches.

A passionate and inspiring speaker, René Carayol is an expert on leadership, culture, and transformation. He has advised world leaders including Tony Blair and Mikhail Gorbachev, as well as some of the world’s most powerful CEOs. René’s work focuses strongly on inspirational leadership amongst executive teams in order to improve business performance.

René is often asked “are leaders born, or are leaders made?”. In his experience, the answer is neither, leaders are found. The best indicator of tomorrow’s leaders is who can influence and persuade without authority. René has had the privilege of ‘finding’ many leaders over the years.

Early in his career, René was given some advice: that he would benefit from having a Black male mentor who had served on boards and been a chairman, but at that time none of those existed in the UK.

In 2001 he was appointed to the Board of the Inland Revenue as it merged with Customs and Excise to become HMRC. At the time there were no diversity or inclusion... René Carayol MBE is one of the world’s leading leadership speakers and executive coaches.

A passionate and inspiring speaker, René Carayol is an expert on leadership, culture, and transformation. He has advised world leaders including Tony Blair and Mikhail Gorbachev, as well as some of the world’s most powerful CEOs. René’s work focuses strongly on inspirational leadership amongst executive teams in order to improve business performance.

René is often asked “are leaders born, or are leaders made?”. In his experience, the answer is neither, leaders are found. The best indicator of tomorrow’s leaders is who can influence and persuade without authority. René has had the privilege of ‘finding’ many leaders over the years.

Early in his career, René was given some advice: that he would benefit from having a Black male mentor who had served on boards and been a chairman, but at that time none of those existed in the UK.

In 2001 he was appointed to the Board of the Inland Revenue as it merged with Customs and Excise to become HMRC. At the time there were no diversity or inclusion programmes, but René found it exhilarating to be in a ground-breaking and pioneering role. It was where he first met the burden of being a role model, which energised him to be the best that he could be.

René is co-author of the bestselling books Corporate Voodoo and My Voodoo. His book, SPIKE, focuses on identifying things we excel at to build self-esteem and confidence.

The range of René’s experience and audience is vast. He is a regular guest on BBC Radio 4, Radio 5 Live, ITV, Sky, Channel 4 and BBC TV as a business commentator. He is a contributor to various publications and broadsheets on the subjects of leadership and business transformation.

René received an MBE in 2004 for his outstanding contribution to the business community. READ MORE VIEW LESS

René Carayol’s Newsfeed

Insider

An executive coach says CEOs must realize they will upset 'a large bunch of people every day'

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Financial Times

CEO whisperers: who does the boss turn to in their hour of need?

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René Carayol’s Background

René Carayol

Global Leadership Keynote Speaker & Chief Executive

Mar 2000 - Present

London, UK

René is a world-renowned executive and leadership coach; inspirational leadership speaker; advisor to CEOs and heads of state, as well as a bestselling author and commentator. He specialises specifically in business transformation and leadership development.

Medallia

Executive Vice President of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)

May 2021 - Present

Medallia is an employee and customer experience management company headquartered in California with offices worldwide including in London, Munich, Paris and New York. Medallia’s supplies its software to retail, hospitality, financial services and business-to-business companies around the globe.

Inspired Leaders Network

Founder & Chief Executive

Mar 2006 - Jan 2023

London, UK

Inspired Leadership Network was a conference and events company that focused on leadership.

IPC Media (became Time Inc. UK)

Managing Director of IPC Electric

1999 - 2000

London, UK

René served as Managing Director of IPC Electric, the internet business which led the Management Buy Out (MBO) of £860 million, still the largest MBO in Europe, and led to the successful sale to AOL Time Warner in 2000.

PepsiCo

Systems Director at Pizza Hut

1992 - 1995

London, UK

Pizza Hut was a subsidiary of PepsiCo, which had acquired the chain in 1977, until 1997, when PepsiCo spun off its restaurant division into a new independent company.

Marks & Spencer

Senior IT Manager

1983 - 1992

London, UK

Marks & Spencer is a leading UK retailer that sells food, clothing, home products and offers financial services.

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René Carayol’s Gallery

Photo of René Carayol

Photo of René Carayol

Photo of René Carayol

Photo of René Carayol

Photo of René Carayol

Photo of René Carayol

Rene Carayol being interviewed in the street by the press.

Rene Carayol receiving his Honorary Doctorate from Roehampton University.

Rene Carayol signing his book SPIKED.

Rene Carayol receiving his MBE from Her Majesty The Queen.

Rene Carayol speaking at a conference.

Photo of René Carayol

Photo of René Carayol

Photo of René Carayol

Photo of René Carayol

Photo of René Carayol

Photo of René Carayol

Photo of René Carayol

Rene Carayol being interviewed in the street by the press.

Rene Carayol receiving his Honorary Doctorate from Roehampton University.

Rene Carayol signing his book SPIKED.

Rene Carayol receiving his MBE from Her Majesty The Queen.

Rene Carayol speaking at a conference.

Photo of René Carayol

Advisory Roles

Dr Andrew Holness, Prime Minister of Jamaica

Election campaign coach

Current Board Positions

Computacenter

Independent Non-Executive Director

Nov 2022 - Present

London, UK

Computercenter assists its corporate and public sector customers in sourcing, transforming and managing their IT infrastructure. The company employs more than 18,000 staff and is listed on the London Stock Exchange.

Previous Board Positions

Pegasus Opera Company

Non-Executive Chair

Aug 2024 - Mar 2025

London, UK

CityWest Homes

Non-Executive Director

Feb 2008 - Jan 2014

London, UK

Served two, three-year terms as a Non-Executive Director.

Places for People

Non-Executive Director

Jun 2008 - Aug 2009

London, UK

Inland Revenue

Board Director

Apr 2001 - 2005

London, UK

Camwood Ltd

Board Director

Dec 2002 - Dec 2004

London, UK

Served as a Non-Executive Director at this software business for two years.

IPC Media (became Time Inc. UK)

Board Director of IPC Magazines

1995 - 1999

London, UK

Inspired Thinking Group (ITG)

Non-Executive Chair

René served a full three-year term as Non-Executive Chair.

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Previous Advisory Roles

International Monetary Fund

Advisor and Leadership Support

Washington, DC, USA

Formed in 1945, the International Money Fund is located in Washington D.C. and is an international financial institution. Comprising of 190 countries, the body collaborate on matters including financial stability, global money cooperation, international trade and sustainable economic growth.

African Development Bank

Advisor and Leadership Support to the President

Abidjan, CI

The African Development Bank was founded in 1964 and is comprised of three entities: the African Development Fund, the African Development Bank, and the Nigeria Trust Fund. The mission of the bank is to reduce poverty and enhance living standards in Africa.

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Philanthropy

Cardinal Hinsley School (now Newman Catholic College)

Governor

2002 - 2004

London, UK

Media

Lead or be led with René Carayol

Podcast series

In his podcast series ‘Lead or be led’ René Carayol draws from his own experiences, and encourages listeners to realise their true potential with his strengths-based leadership approach. Click on the link to view all episodes.

Reset, the Podcast: René Carayol MBE

Interviewee

May 2021

In this podcast René talks passionately about his experience of race, prejudice and his own journey in having to deal with them.

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Thought Leadership

Simpatico

Author

Leadership Magazine

Frequent contributor

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Publications

SPIKE: What Are You Great At?

Author

Jun 2017

London, UK

SPIKE is an acronym for Strengths Positively Identified Kick-start Excellence. In his book ‘SPIKE: What Are You Great At?’ René explores the idea that everyone has something great to offer, a skill or strength that they can capitalise on. In the world of SPIKE there are no losers.

My Voodoo: A Practical Guide to Unleashing the Magic in You and Your Work

Co-Author

Sep 2002

London, UK

As a reaction to the success of ‘Corporate Voodoo’, René and David Firth released a second book entitled ‘My Voodoo: A Practical Guide to Unleashing the Magic in You and Your Work’ that serves as a practical guide to implementing the ‘Corporate Voodoo’ principles in both work and life.

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Awards & Recognition

University of Roehampton

Honorary Doctorate

Sep 2021

London, UK

New Year Honours

Member of the Order of the British Empire

Jan 2004

London, UK

René was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire for his outstanding contribution to the business community in Her Majesty The Queen's New Year Honours List 2004.

Academic Appointments

Hult International Business School

Visiting Lab Fellow

Jan 2025 - Present

Hult International Business School

Visiting Professor

2013 - 2016

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Speaking Engagements

The Marketing Academy

Keynote Speaker

Mar 2015

Sydney, AU

René Carayol, UK business guru and media personality, spoke on Leadership and Organisational Cultural to The Marketing Academy’s Australia Leaders' Programme and leading industry professionals

InnoTown Conference

Keynote Speaker

Aug 2019

Alesund, NO

René talks about leadership at the InnoTown Conference, where he elaborates on principles from his book ‘SPIKE: What Are You Great At’. He shares the idea that everyone is or can be a leader and that everyone has a skill or strength to share with the world.

René Carayol’s Education

London School of Economics

Politics and Sociology

1978 - 1981