Ten Scottish speakers who are shaping leadership in 2026
From business and sport to defence and social impact, these ten Scottish speakers are shaping how leadership, resilience and performance are understood in 2026.
Scotland enters 2026 with familiar pressures, but sharper trade-offs: productivity growth remains modest, with the Scottish Government reporting average annual productivity growth of 0.8% between 2008 and 2024. At the same time, business leaders are being asked to deliver more with less, while maintaining trust, retention, and performance.
Workplace expectations are also colliding with wellbeing reality. The CIPD’s Working Lives Scotland 2025 found 26% of Scottish employees (around 690,000 people) say work has a negative impact on their mental health. This is why leadership is increasingly measured in culture, clarity, and resilience, not just outcomes.
Then there is the pace of technological change. Scotland’s tech sector is signalling an acceleration: the Scottish Technology Industry Survey 2025 reports 69% of companies identify AI and machine learning as critical growth opportunities, up from 43% in 2023.
In response to these pressures, SpeakOut Speakers Agency – one of the oldest and most trust keynote speaker agency has identified the official top ten thought leaders in Scotland whose work and influence are shaping leadership conversations heading into 2026.
The selection focuses on individuals with demonstrable leadership experience across business, sport, defence, and social impact, each recognised for translating high-pressure, real-world experience into practical insight for organisations facing sustained change.
1. Mike Stevenson
Mike Stevenson is a Scottish entrepreneur and speaker whose influence sits at the intersection of resilience, creativity, and leadership. Founder of the creative consultancy Thinktastic, he has advised organisations including Standard Life, Sky and M&S on innovation, culture, and change.
His perspective is shaped by lived experience, having rebuilt his life from early adversity into sustained business success.
In a period defined by economic pressure and workforce fatigue, Stevenson’s focus on practical creativity, human leadership, and adaptability offers a grounded blueprint for organisations looking to perform without losing purpose.
2. JJ Chalmers
JJ Chalmers is a Scottish broadcaster, paralympian and speaker whose personal story has become a powerful lesson in resilience and purpose.
After being seriously injured while serving in the Royal Marines, he embraced recovery and went on to compete at the Paralympic Games before establishing a career in media with the BBC.
Chalmers now speaks internationally on overcoming adversity, authentic leadership, and mental strength.
In a climate where resilience and wellbeing are business priorities, his insight offers tangible inspiration for leaders and teams navigating pressure and change.
3. Jo Salter MBE
Jo Salter is a trailblazing leadership speaker best known as Britain’s first female fast-jet pilot. Her career in the Royal Air Force placed her in demanding operational roles where precision, resilience, and decisive leadership were essential.
Since leaving the military, she has become a sought-after voice on leadership under pressure, diversity in high-performance environments, and strategic decision-making.
In a business landscape defined by complexity and rapid change, Salter’s insight into disciplined leadership and breaking new ground offers practical inspiration for organisations striving to lead with confidence and clarity.
4. Colin MacLachlan
Colin MacLachlan is a Scottish leadership expert and former SAS soldier whose work focuses on strategic decision-making, resilience and performance under pressure.
Drawing on elite military experience, he helps organisations build stronger cultures, navigate risk and lead through complexity. MacLachlan’s approach emphasises clarity, accountability and human behaviour as core drivers of organisational success.
In a business environment where uncertainty and rapid change are constant, his insight offers a grounded perspective on leadership that is both practical and relevant for senior executives, teams and communities looking to perform with purpose.
5. John Hartson
John Hartson is a former Scotland international footballer whose impact extends far beyond the pitch. After an accomplished playing career at club and international level, Hartson has become a respected voice on resilience, health and life beyond elite sport.
His openness about personal challenges, including recovery from cancer and mental wellbeing, has resonated widely, making him a powerful advocate for courage, authenticity and persistence.
In a year where leadership is increasingly linked to empathy and human experience, Hartson’s insight offers meaningful inspiration for audiences across business, sport and community.
6. Jez Rose
Jez Rose is a leadership and organisational behaviour expert known for challenging conventional management thinking and placing human dynamics at the centre of performance.
With extensive experience advising corporate leaders, Rose focuses on behaviour change, habit formation and the practical skills required to lead with clarity and authenticity. His work helps organisations build cultures that sustain performance, encourage collaboration and unlock potential at all levels.
In a business climate where culture and communication are critical to success, Rose’s insight offers grounded, actionable guidance for executives and teams navigating change.
7. Katy Leeson
Katy Leeson is a Scottish entrepreneur and social impact strategist who champions ethical business and purpose-driven leadership.
With a track record of building impactful ventures and advising organisations on values-led growth, Leeson combines commercial insight with a commitment to community and wellbeing. Her work highlights how organisations can align profit with social purpose, fostering cultures that value both performance and positive impact.
In an era where stakeholders increasingly prioritise integrity and purpose, Leeson’s perspective offers meaningful inspiration for leaders looking to balance commercial success with societal contribution.
8. Kenny Logan
Kenny Logan is a former Scotland international rugby player and respected commentator whose leadership and teamwork insights extend far beyond sport.
As part of one of Scotland’s most successful rugby eras, Logan developed a deep understanding of performance under pressure, the importance of collective effort and a culture of accountability. Since retiring from professional sport, he has become a trusted voice on team dynamics, communication and resilience.
In an era where organisations face rapid change and heightened expectations, Logan’s perspective offers practical lessons on building cohesion, commitment and performance at all levels.
9. Gavin Hastings OBE
Gavin Hastings is one of Scotland’s most respected rugby figures and a leadership voice in sport and beyond. As a former Scotland captain and British & Irish Lions international, he exemplifies discipline, teamwork and high-performance standards at the highest level.
Hastings now applies his experience to leadership development, emphasising resilience, collective accountability and the behaviours that drive teams to excel under pressure.
In a landscape where organisations are tested by change and complexity, his insight into strong leadership culture and performance continues to resonate across sport, business and community sectors.
10. Jamie Andrew OBE
Jamie Andrew is a Scottish mountaineer, author and inspirational speaker whose story of survival and determination has influenced audiences worldwide.
After a life-changing climbing accident in the Alps left him with multiple amputations, Andrew defied expectations by continuing to pursue bold climbs and challenging feats, embodying resilience and mental fortitude. His perspective on overcoming adversity, setting meaningful goals and redefining personal limits resonates strongly in both professional and personal contexts.
In a year shaped by uncertainty and rapid change, Andrew’s insight offers a compelling example of courage, adaptation and inner strength.
Why these voices matter in 2026
What links these Scottish thought leaders is not a shared industry or background, but credibility earned under pressure. Each has operated in environments where performance, trust and accountability were non-negotiable, and where failure carried real consequences.
As Scotland enters 2026 facing slower productivity growth, workforce strain and accelerated technological change, leadership rooted in lived experience carries increasing weight.
These voices matter because they move leadership beyond theory. They reflect what leadership looks like when conditions are difficult, decisions are imperfect and progress depends on people, culture and resilience rather than rhetoric.
To book or enquire about these speakers, visit SpeakOut Speakers Agency.