Co-Founder of Amazing If, Chief Learning Officer, Sunday Times Bestselling Author of ‘The Squiggly Carrer’, Podcast Host & Career Development Expert
Sarah Ellis’s Biography:
Sarah Ellis is the Co-Founder of Amazing If, co-creator of the Squiggly Careers concept, and one of the UK’s most respected keynote speakers on career development, learning and leadership. Best known for helping individuals and organisations thrive in a fast-changing world of work, she has co-authored three Sunday Times bestselling books and co-hosts the hugely popular Squiggly Careers podcast. One of her most notable achievements is building Amazing If into a trusted learning and development partner for brands including Google, Microsoft, Visa and the BBC.
Before launching Amazing If in 2013, Sarah built an impressive commercial and strategic career across major UK brands. Her early roles included positions at Boots UK, GlaxoSmithKline, Barclaycard and Barclays, where she developed strong expertise in proposition development, innovation and marketing communications. She then joined Sainsbury’s, progressing through senior leadership roles including Head of Content, Head of PR, Head of Corporate Responsibility and Society, and Head of Marketing Strategy. Alongside this practical experience, Sarah strengthened her academic credentials as an alumna of Harvard, London Business School and Warwick Business School, where she earned an MBA; she is also a qualified professional coach and mental health first aider.
Sarah’s career achievements reflect both commercial credibility and thought leadership. After serving as Managing Director of Gravity Road, she continued expanding her influence through Amazing If, helping redefine how modern professionals think about progression, confidence and learning. She became an RSA Fellow in 2019, began contributing to Harvard Business Review in 2021, joined the Makers Advisory Board in 2024, and was named in Management Today’s 2024 Women in Leadership Power List. Her work has reached a broad audience through the Squiggly Careers podcast, which has passed millions of downloads, and through a TEDx talk, The Best Career Path Isn’t Always a Straight Line on non-linear careers that has attracted a substantial global audience. In 2025, she and Helen Tupper also announced and opened pre-orders for Learn Like a Lobster, extending their influence with a fresh framework for continuous learning at work.
Why Hire Sarah Ellis?
Event organisers hire Sarah Ellis because she combines board-level business experience with warmth, clarity and genuinely practical ideas. Her keynote topics include squiggly careers, career development, learning in the age of AI, management, adaptability, and navigating ambiguity, all highly relevant for organisations trying to build resilient, future-ready teams. Sarah does not simply inspire audiences; she gives them useful frameworks they can apply straight away. For businesses facing rapid change, talent pressure and evolving employee expectations, her sessions offer the kind of insight that turns uncertainty into action.
Sarah Ellis’s Career Highlights:
Here are some of the key milestones that define Sarah Ellis’s remarkable careers:
- 2026 – Co-published ‘Learn Like a Lobster’, her third major career-development book with Helen Tupper
- 2024 – Named in Management Today’s Women in Leadership Power List
- 2024 – Joined the Makers Advisory Board
- 2022 – Co-authored ‘You Coach You’, a Sunday Times bestselling career book
- 2021 – Became a contributor to Harvard Business Review
- 2020 – Co-authored ‘The Squiggly Career’, a Sunday Times bestseller
- 2019 – Became an RSA Fellow
- 2018 – Appointed Managing Director of Gravity Road
- 2016 – Served as Head of Marketing Strategy at Sainsbury’s
- 2013 – Co-founded Amazing If with Helen Tupper
- 2009 – Became Senior Marketing Communications Manager at Barclays
- 2006 – Worked as Business Development Manager, Partnerships and Innovation at Barclaycard
- 2004 – Served as Proposition Development Manager at GlaxoSmithKline
- 2002 – Began her career on the Business Management Leadership Scheme at Boots UK
Videos
Sarah Ellis’s Official Keynote Speaking Videos & Showreel:
Testimonials
“Thank you so much for your insightful and engaging session that you gave at NatWest Group this morning. It was honestly one of the best digital learning workshops I’ve been to in a long time… from the presentation format (I loved the live slide builds), interactivity via questions and the mind map to the content/topic itself; and of course not forgetting your delivery. I’ve come away with lots of actionable insights to take into my day to day.” – NatWest Group
“I’ve attended countless presentations over the years, but I’ve rarely seen someone communicate with this level of clarity, presence, and purpose. The message was captivating, the delivery flawless, and the blend of enthusiasm, precision, and authenticity was something I’ve never experienced in person before. If you ever have the chance to bring Helen in to speak to your organisation, take it! One hour completely rewired how I think about learning.” – Microsoft
“I really enjoyed this session – I can imagine how hard it is to land on a keynote that works for all levels and teams, but this genuinely felt like a great fit. It didn’t try and cram in too much; instead, it focused on rethinking the basics and sharing insights you can actually apply in your day-to-day, which I really appreciated. Also loved the ‘learn like a lobster’ analogy – that one will definitely stick with me.” – Trainline
Speaking Topics
Sarah Ellis’s Official Keynote Topics:
- The Five Skills You Need to Succeed in a Squiggly Career
- How to Use AI as a Tool for Career Development
- Why We All Need to Learn Like a Lobster
- How to Be a Brilliant Manager in a World That Keeps Changing
- Learning in the Age of AI
- Learning Through Ambiguity
How Much Do Sarah Ellis Cost to Hire?
How Much Does it Cost to Hire Sarah Ellis?
The cost of hiring Sarah Ellis depends on factors such as your event format, location, audience size and length of appearance. For an accurate quote tailored to your event, please contact a London Keynote Speakers Agency booking agent for expert guidance.