Founder of ‘Upping Your Elvis’ & ‘Talk It Out’, Launched the Great Wake Up App, Former Director of Commercial Strategy for Carling Black Label & Bestselling Author of ‘Free Love Your Work Love Your Life’
Chris Baréz-Brown’s Biography:
Chris Baréz Brown is a globally recognised creative leadership expert, author and cultural transformation specialist best known for helping individuals and organisations unlock energy, originality and human potential in the workplace. Over the course of his career, Chris has built a reputation for challenging conventional corporate thinking and inspiring audiences to reconnect with creativity, authenticity and purpose. Through his consultancy Upping Your Elvis, he has worked with leading international businesses to transform workplace culture and encourage more dynamic leadership. His keynote speeches are widely praised for blending humour, practical insight and high-energy delivery, making him one of the most sought-after speakers on creativity, wellbeing and modern leadership.
Chris began his professional journey as an officer cadet in the British Army before moving into brand management. He later directed commercial strategy for Carling Black Label, contributing to its rise as the first British billion-pound beverage brand. His passion for innovation and behavioural change led him to join the global innovation consultancy What If, where he spent a decade and established the company’s internal learning team. Building on this experience, Chris founded Upping Your Elvis, a consultancy dedicated to helping organisations create more alive, creative and productive working cultures. Alongside his consultancy work, he became a successful author with books including ‘How to Have Kick-Ass Ideas’, ‘Shine How to Survive and Thrive at Work’, and the Penguin bestseller ‘Free Love Your Work Love Your Life’. His later works, ‘Wake Up Escaping a Life on Autopilot’ and ‘Upping Your Elvis’, further established him as a leading voice on mental wellbeing, personal authenticity and workplace energy.
Chris has gained international attention through major speaking engagements, media appearances and thought leadership projects. He interviewed Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak live on stage as a featured speaker at the global Leadercast summit, demonstrating his standing within the leadership and innovation community. Expanding his influence beyond the stage, Chris launched the Great Wake Up app and wellbeing movement to challenge subconscious habits and encourage healthier, more mindful living. His books and ideas have received critical acclaim for their originality, accessibility and practical relevance in modern workplaces.
Why Hire Chris Baréz-Brown?
Chris is hired as a keynote speaker because he combines commercial expertise with humour, creativity and genuine human insight. His experience transforming global business cultures gives him credibility with corporate audiences, while his energetic storytelling and unconventional approach make his presentations highly memorable. In 2016, he delivered the TEDx talk ‘Discover your true creative self’, which explored how people can reconnect with creativity in both life and business. Audiences value Chris for delivering practical strategies that improve innovation, wellbeing and performance, all while creating an engaging and entertaining atmosphere. His ability to inspire behavioural change and encourage people to think differently makes him an exceptional keynote speaker for organisations seeking fresh thinking, stronger leadership and more energised workplace cultures.
Chris Baréz-Brown’s Career Highlights:
Here are some of the key milestones that define Chris Baréz-Brown’s remarkable career:
- 2021 – Authored and released his handbook ‘Upping Your Elvis’, focusing on finding unique personal authenticity and energy in corporate settings
- 2017 – Published his critically acclaimed mental health and lifestyle guide ‘Wake Up Escaping a Life on Autopilot’
- 2016 – Delivered TEDx talk titled ‘Discover your true creative self’
- 2016 – Interviewed Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak live on stage as a featured main-stage speaker at the global Leadercast summit
- 2016 – Launched the Great Wake Up app and mental wellbeing movement to challenge everyday sub-conscious habit loops
- 2014 – Released his commercial hit non-fiction book ‘Free Love Your Work Love Your Life’ which became a Penguin bestseller
- 2011 – Published his career development manual ‘Shine How to Survive and Thrive at Work’ which was named Business Book of the Month
- 2010 – Established the global cultural transformation and workplace aliveness consultancy firm Upping Your Elvis
Videos
Chris Baréz-Brown’s Official Keynote Speaking Videos & Showreel:
Testimonials
“Chris understands creativity and innovation on a theoretical and human level. He brings great experience, lots of stories, and practical wisdom to clients. As a trainer he is fun, engaging, and enlightening. Working with Chris is always a good time + a productive time.” – Leslie, Facilitator, Trainer, Playback Actor
“Chris is an exceptional speaker, motivator and all around guy. I’ve never seen anyone command an audience as well as Chris can – and it’s incredible how he can help to unlock people’s potential even when it’s in a big group. When Chris is around, lives are transforming!” – Shelli, President & Founding Partner theideasuite.com
“Chris is a one of a kind, magnetic, super-charged stud. If you have any desire to get the most out of your people, you’d be crazy not to bring Chris Barez-Brown and his team at Upping Your Elvis into your organization. His passion, creativity, business savvy, and expertise in productive creativity is tops in the world. HE IS PURE ELVIS!!! I highly highly highly recommend this cat.” – Keith, Founder, Ignitor
“There’s a sparkle at the heart of truly creative people, a sort of blend of charisma, energy, fun and magic. Chris not only sparkles brightly himself, but he can tell you exactly how to get some more of that sparkle for yourself. He’ll change your life, if you’re brave enough to let him…” – Jon, Screenwriter
“Since 2000, Chris has trained my teams in Europe, North America and Africa. He instills creative leadership with total passion and inspires deep culture change that focuses on trust, creativity, openness and humanity. If that sounds like life and work colliding, then you get it…” – Caroline, Co-Founder of Shine for Women LLP and MD of Tiger for a Day Ltd
“Chris is one of those authors and entrepreneurs who completely defies and confounds your expectations—in the best of ways. At many times, I think it’s fair to say that we had difficulty keeping up with him and the pace of ideas and enthusiasm. But this only confirmed the message being put across in HOW TO HAVE KICK ASS IDEAS—still the only book to have my emails to America caught in spam filters for the word ‘ASS’. In all sincerity, Chris is one of the most intelligent, energetic and fearless authors I’ve worked with in my career. Memorable not just for his attitude but his message. A joy to work with and an attitude to emulate.” – Christopher, Sales & Business Development Director at Whitefox publishing services
“So much big talk about transformation… Chris actually delivers it. Time and time again. part art, part gift, part crazy man. he works magic every time!” – Maria, Founder and President of the Nike Foundation
“Hiring Chris is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. It turbo-charged the agency I ran at the time and the core team involved all described their week with Chris as, literally, life-changing! The resulting step-change in our creativity and culture was profound, and very quickly produced big, tangible business results in the shape of a major new business win and a record year which all felt fun and effortless. Talk about a good investment! And not only is Chris very good at what he does, but he’s also one of life’s good guys who I’m proud to count as a friend.” – Tim, Sports & esports Business Leader & Advisor
Speaking Topics
Chris Baréz-Brown’s Official Keynote Topics:
- Leadership: What’s needed here?
- Mental & Emotional Wellbeing: Go deeper, get clear
- Get Your Energy Right: Human’s aren’t designed for business
- Innovation: Learn to love creative leaps
How Much Does Chris Baréz-Brown Cost to Hire?
How Much Does it Cost to Hire Chris Baréz-Brown?
Chris Baréz-Brown’s speaking fees vary depending on the event format, location, duration and level of preparation required. For an accurate quote, please share your event date, location and brief with an official booking agent.