Blaire Palmer is a keynote speaker, author and transformation specialist who works with senior leaders and organisations navigating the realities of growth, disruption and change.
For more than 25 years, Blaire has been at the sharp end of leadership and cultural transformation — not in theory, but in practice. Her work is grounded in what actually shifts behaviour inside organisations: how decisions get made, how leaders lead under pressure, how trust is built (or lost), and how culture either accelerates strategy or quietly constrains it.
Blaire is in high demand as a conference and leadership event speaker, known for bringing clarity, challenge and fresh thinking to the changing world of work. Her keynotes are provocative, commercially grounded, and rooted in real organisational experience — not recycled leadership wisdom. Audiences leave with language, insight and practical shifts that stick.
Alongside her team at That People Thing, Blaire designs and delivers leadership and culture programmes for organisations scaling into new markets, integrating acquisitions, professionalising for top tier competition, or transforming in response to industry change. The work is bespoke, rigorous and focused on execution: removing the friction that stalls momentum when leadership habits haven’t caught up with strategy.
Blaire is the author of four books on leadership and work, including her latest, Punks in Suits: How to Lead the Workplace Reformation (2024) — a rallying cry for organisations to ask uncomfortable questions about whether the way they lead, work and change is still fit for purpose.
Her perspective connects the forces reshaping the workforce now — generative AI, hybrid work, rising pressure on leaders, shifting expectations, and global instability — with practical, contemporary solutions for organisations that want to thrive, not just cope.
A full technical bio is available on request.
"Blaire captivated our audience in presenting her experience and advice with regard to empowering McCormick's staff to succeed and develop. She was upbeat, engaging and gave us confidence that we are on the right journey with regard to diversity in our company." Melanie Williams, VP Human Resources EMEA, McCormick UK Ltd
"Blaire offers a wealth of experience in her field, all relevant to today’s business demands, and coupled with an engaging, warm and thought-provoking delivery style, has given me and my colleagues some valuable insights and actions to take and make a positive difference!" Kosta Christofi, Santander UK
