Author and keynote speaker on the science of persuasion, influence and storytelling for leaders. Listed on the Speakers Connect Hong Kong roster.
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Leadership Keynote Speakers in APAC (2026)
Some keynotes inform; this category's keynotes carry the weight of history. PodiumHK's leadership roster brings together eleven statesmen, diplomats and business leaders, diplomats and heads of government whose decisions shaped the Asia-Pacific order: Ban Ki-moon, the former UN Secretary-General; Julia Gillard and Kevin Rudd, both former Australian prime ministers (Rudd presents in English and Mandarin); Shashi Tharoor, the Indian diplomat-author and parliamentarian; and Singapore's great diplomatic voices, Kishore Mahbubani and Tommy Koh. Mahbubani's published in-person band is $50,000–$100,000 (published bands — guidelines, not quotes) — a reflection of how rarely this calibre of geopolitical insight takes a corporate stage. These are the speakers booked when the theme is bigger than the quarter: US-China relations, multilateralism, climate diplomacy, the future of ASEAN, leading through geopolitical risk. Hong Kong audiences — financiers, multinationals, policy-adjacent corporates — are among the most sophisticated in the world for this material, and these speakers respect that: expect unscripted Q&A, candid assessments, and the occasional headline. Bookings at this level are handled with full protocol — security, briefing dossiers, strict embargoes on recording — and bureaus experienced with heads of state are essential. If your event needs moral authority rather than management theory, start here.
Former UN Secretary-General (2007-2016); based in Seoul; keynotes on peace, climate and multilateralism (WTTC Global Summit, Jeju Forum).
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Hong Kong politician and businessman, former Convenor of the Executive Council's non-official members and president of Asia Financial Holdings. He speaks on leadership, public policy and Hong Kong's role as a bridge to China.
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Former Australian Prime Minister; exclusively represented by the Harry Walker Agency; leadership speaker.
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Former Australian Prime Minister; now President & CEO of the Asia Society; keynote speaker (USC commencement 2026); fluent Mandarin.
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Singaporean diplomat and academic; former UN ambassador and founding dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy; speaks on geopolitics and Asia's role in the world.
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Chairman of Esquel Group, one of the world's largest shirt manufacturers, based in Hong Kong. She speaks on leadership, sustainability and family business.
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Indian author, diplomat and parliamentarian; speaks on geopolitics and leadership; travels from India (AAE).
Founder and CEO of Steve Vickers and Associates, Hong Kong's specialist risk-mitigation consultancy. The former commander of the Royal Hong Kong Police Criminal Intelligence Bureau speaks frequently on political risk, crisis management and corporate security.
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Singapore's Ambassador-at-Large and chair of the NUS Centre for International Law; speaks on diplomacy and international law.
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Leadership speaker and facilitator listed on the Speakers Connect Hong Kong roster.
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Frequently asked questions
What fee should I expect for a statesman-level speaker?
Published bands — guidelines, not quotes: Kishore Mahbubani's in-person band is $50,000–$100,000 (AAE Speakers, Oct 2026). Former heads of state and UN-level figures typically price above that; all are enquiry-based, and protocol costs (security, travel party) sit on top of the speaking fee.
Can I record or livestream a leadership keynote?
Usually not without explicit written permission — speakers at this level commonly restrict recording, photography and quoting. Confirm media terms in the contract before promoting the session, and brief your AV team accordingly.
Which leadership speakers present in Mandarin?
Kevin Rudd presents in English and Mandarin, which suits bilingual Hong Kong and mainland-adjacent audiences. Kishore Mahbubani is listed for English. Confirm language requirements when you enquire.
What topics do these speakers cover?
Geopolitics and the US-China relationship, multilateral institutions, climate and development diplomacy, ASEAN's future, and leadership under pressure. Ban Ki-moon speaks to global governance; Gillard and Rudd to Australian and regional politics; Tharoor, Mahbubani and Koh to diplomacy and Asia's rise.
How far ahead must I book?
For former heads of state and UN-level figures, 6–12 months is realistic — diaries are managed with diplomatic scheduling constraints. Use an experienced bureau; protocol handling is part of the service at this tier.