CEO of The Empathy Business, Founder of Little Miss Geek Ltd, Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum, NED of the UK Ministry of Defence
Belinda Parmar’s Biography:
Belinda Parmar is a leading authority on empathy-led leadership, organisational culture and inclusion, recognised for applying behavioural science to improve performance and wellbeing at scale. As the founding CEO of The Empathy Business, Belinda advises global organisations on embedding empathy into strategy, systems and everyday decision-making. Her work spans culture change, customer experience and diversity, making her a highly sought-after keynote speaker for audiences seeking evidence-based, practical change. In recognition of her impact on inclusivity, she was awarded an OBE in 2015.
Belinda studied French and Spanish at the University of Manchester before building her early career across marketing, communications and academia, including roles with OgilvyOne, Syracuse University and Saatchi & Saatchi. These formative experiences shaped her interest in human behaviour, communication and organisational dynamics. In 2010, she founded The Empathy Business, pioneering a commercial approach to empathy and helping organisations redesign processes around people, from leadership and communication to inclusion and customer interaction.
A strong advocate for measurement and accountability, Belinda created the Global Empathy Index, the world’s first index to assess empathy and inclusion at scale, later published by Harvard Business Review. She has also held Empathy-in-Residence roles at major organisations including Barclays, Lloyds and Centrica, where she educated senior leaders on behavioural science and nudge theory to create healthier, more resilient workplaces.
Beyond corporate culture, Belinda is a passionate campaigner for women in technology. She founded Little Miss Geek, inspiring girls to pursue STEM careers and contributing to a significant rise in GCSE Computer Science uptake in inner-city London. A respected commentator, she writes for The Guardian and serves as a Non-Executive Director at the Ministry of Defence, reflecting the breadth and credibility of her influence.
Why Hire Belinda Parmar?
Belinda is hired for her ability to combine behavioural science with compelling storytelling to drive meaningful culture change. Her keynote talks equip leaders with practical tools to embed empathy, improve well-being, and boost performance across organisations. Having spoken at Davos as a Young Global Leader for the World Economic Forum, she brings global credibility and real-world insight to every stage. Audiences value her clarity, evidence-led approach and ability to turn complex ideas into actionable strategies that deliver lasting impact.
Belinda Parmar’s Career Highlights:
Here are some of the key milestones that define Belinda Parmar’s inspirational career:
- 2025 – Featured in ComputerWeekly’s Top 50 Most Influential Women in Tech Longlist
- 2023 – Non-Executive Director at the Ministry of Defence
- 2022 – Shortlisted for Woman of the Year at the Women in IT Awards
- 2021 – Named as one of the Top 20 Diversity Champions
- 2020 – Named in the Top 20 Global Diversity Figures in Public Life
- 2020 – Awarded a Champion of Change Commendation by Management Today
- 2020 – Listed as One of the UK’s Most Influential Women in Tech
- 2015 – Received an OBE for Services to Women in Technology
- 2010 – Founded The Empathy Business / Lady Geek
Videos
Belinda Parmar’s Official Keynote Speaking Videos & Showreel:
Testimonials
“Every organisation and leader would benefit from the challenging business insight Belinda delivered. It made me realise how desensitised I’d become to the ‘norms of communication.’ It also took behavioural economics to a new level.” – Sue, Barclays UK
“Belinda is a charismatic and engaging speaker who had the entire audience captivated throughout. Through the whole process, Belinda made sure we had everything we needed to make our event a success and it worked. We are already planning our next project together.” – Tracey, OpenMarket Ltd
“Just wanted to give you some feedback on Belinda, who spoke at our IWD event today as we really couldn’t have asked for a better speaker. She took the time to prep with us (more than once), she really listened to our goals for the event and tailored her content with examples to match our audience expectations. Her delivery on the day was incredible; personable, funny, authentic and solicited really strong feedback from our attendees. We would absolutely recommend her to other businesses looking for someone to speak in her area of expertise and please don’t hesitate to contact me if anyone needs a reference.” – Laura, Marketing Director EMEA, Bullhorn
Speaking Topics
Belinda Parmar’s Official Keynote Topics:
- Human-Centred Leadership in an AI world
- Courageous Conversations
- Marginal Gains using AI & empathy
How Much Does Belinda Parmar Cost to Hire?
How Much Does it Cost to Hire Belinda Parmar?
The cost of hiring Belinda Parmar varies depending on your event brief, format, location, and any travel or accommodation needs. For an accurate, tailored quote, contact a London Keynote Speakers Agency booking agent for expert guidance.