Karren Brady

Former MD of Birmingham City FC, Vice Chairman of West Ham United FC, aide to Lord Alan Sugar on The Apprentice & Baroness Brady Conservative Life Peer in the House of Lords

Baroness Karren Brady is a businesswoman, author, politician and television personality. Famed for her career as the former Managing Director of Birmingham City Football Club, and the Vice-Chairman of West Ham United Football Club, Karren is a respected businesswoman who empowers workplace equality. Beginning her career as a trainee for Saatchi & Saatchi, Karren later joined the London Broadcasting Company as an Account Executive. Catching the eye of David Sullivan, Karren was soon appointed as a Director of Sport Newspapers, before becoming the MD of Birmingham City Football Club.

As the first woman to hold such a role, Karren continually faced sexism and overcame barriers . She was credited with turning the club's fortunes around, and in 2010 Karren was appointed Vice-Chairman of West Ham United Football Club. She was responsible for helping to secure the move of the club from Boleyn Ground to the Olympic Stadium in Stratford. She has also served as Chairman of Kerrang!, sat on the Board of Sport England, been a Non-Executive Director of Channel 4, been a Non-Executive for Mothercare and been the Chairman of Taveta, owners of the Acadia Group. Outside of her responsibilities, Karren has also dedicated time to working as an Aide to Lord Alan Sugar on The Apprentice and as a Small Business Ambassador for the UK Government.

Karren has also been involved in politics, having sat as a Conservative Member in the House of Lords. In 2014, Karren was made a Conservative Life Peer, created Baroness Brady of Knightsbridge in the City of Westminster. Throughout her career, Karren has been the recipient of countless awards, including the 2006 Cosmopolitan Woman of the Year and 2007 Revitalise Businesswoman of the Year. She has also claimed the 2008 NatWest Spirit of Everywoman Award and the 2012 CEO of the Year Award from the Football Business Awards. She has also been recognised on several lists, including on the 2010 Sunday Times 100 Most Powerful Women in Britain, 2013 100 Most Powerful Women in the UK by Woman’s Hour, Debrett’s 500 Most Influential and Inspirational People in Britain 2014 and The Guardian’s 50 Most Influential Women in Sport 2014.

Now hired as an International Women’s Day speaker, Karren’s successful career demonstrates the possibilities that can be achieved through hard work, dedication and determination. Throughout her career, Karren has passionately advocated for women in business and gender equality in the workplace, repeatedly calling upon fellow female professionals to spearhead the world of business. Her continued advocacy saw her appointed as CBE in the 2014 New Year Honours, commending her services to entrepreneurship and women in business. If you are looking for an influential businesswoman to speak this International Women’s Day, look no further than Baroness Karren Brady.

Topics include:

• How to Get Entrepreneurial Spirit
• How to Be the Best You Can Be
• How to Build a World Class Culture
• How to Turn a Failing Business into a World Class Brand
• The Top Ten Key Ingredients You Need to Be a Success

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