Speakers Categories
After Dinner 
Sir Bob Geldof KBE
Fee band from £ POA
To book Bob, please
call us on +44 (0)20 7247 1193
or e-mail to:
info@cityspeakersinternational.co.uk
Background
Bob Geldof is incredibly well informed, not just about African famines and aid organizations, but also about London and Washington politics, global communications and business.
His presentations are highly provocative and he uplifts and inspires audiences as he motivates through his own personal experiences and the lessons learned from Live Aid. Sir Bob Geldof is one of the highest ranked and most authorative corporate speakers, conference keynote producers and after dinner speakers currently available.
Bob Geldof was born in Dublin on 5 October 1954. Geldof entered the music scene as a journalist on Canada's premier underground rock journal Georgia Straight. Further experience with the New Musical Express and Melody Maker sharpened his prose and upon returning to Dublin, he formed the band The Boomtown Rats, one of the first acts to emerge during the punk/new wave explosion of 1976/77.
After a series of hits, including two UK number 1 singles, Geldof emerged as one of the most well known pop personalities of his era. Bob Geldof had always had an acerbic wit and provided excellent interviews with an energy and enthusiasm that matched any of his articulate rivals. After starring in the film of Pink Floyd's The Wall, he turned his attention to the dreadful famine that was plaguing Ethiopia in 1984.
After receiving a knighthood in June 1986 and publishing his autobiography, Bob Geldof recorded the solo album, “Deep In The Heart Of Nowhere”, which spawned the minor hit "This Is The World Calling'. His second album, “1990’s The Vegetarians Of Love”, was recorded in only five days and proved a hit with critics and fans alike. Complete with folk and Cajun flavorings and an irreverent stab at apathy in the hit single "The Great Song Of Indifference", the album undeniably proved that Bob Geldof should continue his recording career.
Areas of Expertise
On June 8th 2007 Bob demonstrated his passion as a leading international keynote speaker when the YIBC conference delegates rated him with highest positive feedback ever recorded! "He's the first YIBC speaker to receive full marks, but his speech had everything: passion, humour, humanity, realism, dreams and urgency.
He showed a grasp of economics and politics and an ability to make his blunt diplomacy work. Bill Clinton has probably been the most popular YIBC performer in recent years but many delegates felt the man behind Live Aid and Live8 topped it.
Having flown in from the G8 Summit, Geldof commanded attention and respect despite the tousled hair, unshaven face, scruffy clothes and gum-chewing, and received a standing ovation." Kathryn Moore, David Parkin and Ian Briggs - The Yorkshire Post. To see article click here. In an unprecedented move, recognizing the incredible success, the organizers booked Bob again for the 2008 event.
Bob is the recipient of the 2007 M100 Sanssouci Media Award. The prize giving ceremony took place at the Schloss Theatre in the Neue Palais in Potsdam, Germany. Jann Jakobs, Lord Mayor of Potsdam, says: ”We are very happy that within the context of this year’s International Media Gathering M100 we had the opportunity to thank and honour Sir Bob Geldof for his indefatigable world-wide engagement”.
In February 2008 Bob travelled with President George W. Bush to Africa on the President's farewell tour of the troubled continent and writes a major feature article for TIME Magazine.
Cameron Diaz joined Bob and Dave Stewart to record a song that the musical duo wrote for Pangaea Day (10th May 2008) when Bob spoke at the TED Conference in Monterey, USA in March 2008.
In 2009 Sir Bob was awarded the "Der Steiger Award" for his long standing contribution to the music industry at a prestigious award ceremony in Bochum, Germany.
Bob Geldof is an influential and inspiring speaker. He is highly entertaining and has great insight into the socio-political and up-liftment arenas as well as leadership, communications, marketing in the global village, motivation and self-development. His unique presentations, views and insights are highly sought after by companies who wish to benefit from his sensational presentations and which always leave a lasting and powerful impression.
Client Comments
"We ask our delegates to complete evaluation forms on the speakers etc. Bob received the best marks in the history of our event (higher than Bill Clinton!). The top mark is 5 but people were crossing that out and putting a 6 or even a 10! Great message , great delivery , fully deserved his standing ovation ! Thanks to you for making sure it worked and to Bob for taking time out from G8. Awesome !"
Mike Firth, Chairman, Yorkshire Forward
"Bob Geldof was by far the most incredible presenter we have had for a very long time"
Michael Mass, HSBC
"Sir Bob Geldof was nothing less than absolutely outstanding. Three standing ovations says a lot"
David Munro, MD, Standard Bank of South Africa
"Brilliant, coherent, incisive, intuitive. A natural born leader"
Philip Pritchard, CEO, CLSA
"You truly inspired and challenged the audience - young, high potentials from all over the world - in a way they will not forget easily. You provoked not only the audience, but also ING leadership to reconsider its commitment to society"
Eli Leenars, Managing Director, ING Group N.V.
"The best speaker we have ever had in 25 years of holding event"
Denis Hevey, MD, Insurance Institute of Ireland
"An outstanding speaker. The most powerful messaging I have ever heard"
Paul Seymour, Senior Partner, Lloyds of London
"Bob Geldof stole the show at the 12th Yorkshire International Business Convention . . . . . Rock star and acclaimed humanitarian Sir Bob Geldof bought the crowd to its feet for a standing ovation after passionately delivering a speech about the issues facing the 21st century, including poverty in Africa and climate change."
The Yorkshire Post
"Everyone I spoke to (and I've spoken to a lot of people) found your speech inspiring, thought-provoking and challenging . . . one of the best keynotes we have ever had"
Peter Murphy, Group Marketing Director, Accenture
"It goes without saying that our event would not have been the astounding success that it was without the heightened profile added by your presence . . . "
Michael Geoghegan, Group Chief Executive, HSBC
"The feedback I received from both my own team and the wider audience was incredibly positive and highly complimentary in terms of both content and delivery. I think that the standing ovation you received on the day probably says it all . . . "
Cormac McCarthy, Group Chief Executive, Ulster Bank
"Sir Geldof's keynote was the best received keynote in the history of our Civil Discourse Series. Not only did the attendees enjoy his entertaining commentary, but they were truly inspired by him. President Nirschel was bombarded by phone calls and notes the following day praising Sir Geldof's speech . . . ."
Allison Chase Padula, Senior Director of Events, Roger Williams University, USA
"Many thanks for the really engaging, down-to-earth and inspirational talk. Looking around the room, I could see the audience was totally absorbed in what you had to say. Even if only a few of us take up your advice you will have done our profession a great service . . . "
James Sutherland, Head of Development and Operations, Lloyd's
