Kate Ancketill: trend forecaster and board advisor to the world’s biggest brands
International Keynote Speaker
About Kate
Global thought-leader and motivational speaker in business futurism (3–5 years near-term).
For 25 years Kate has been the innovation partner to over 30 of the world’s largest brands, including: P&G, Clorox, Tesco, Sephora, Microsoft, Google, Samsung, Costa Coffee, Coca-Cola, Lego and The BBC.
It’s almost impossible to keep up with innovation at the pace we’re seeing today. Business leaders need help to break down complex problems into next steps. Kate’s a tech and AI optimist. She changes the way people think about the future, motivating and inspiring audiences with tangible recommendations.
Renowned for making complex societal shifts and emerging technologies relatable for any audience.
Kate is the CEO and founder of trends, foresight and strategy consultancy GDR. (See GDR’s blog.)
Kate has delivered the Keynote Trends presentation at the world’s largest retail tech show, the NRF (National Retail Federation)’s Big Show for ten years running.
“Kate gets among the highest feedback for speakers at the NRF Big Show every year – that’s why we’ve invited her to give the trends keynote for 10 years running”.
Martin Reardon, CMO and EVP of Content and Retail Strategy, NRF (former CMO, Macys)
Areas of expertise
AI for Business and Retail • Retail Analysis & Insights • AI Innovation • Technology • MX • Hospitality • Brands • Business Futurism • Consumer Trends • Gen Z / Zalpha • Leadership • Motivational Speaking • Transformation • Disruptive Business Models • Customer Experience / UX •
Available for
• Conference keynotes • Webinars (live & recorded) • Podcasts • Interviews (Radio & TV) • Panels • Board Advisory • Client Presentations • Training programmes
How Kate Ancketill inspires and motivates Business Leaders:
Kate Ancketill is a London based leadership speaker, delivering optimistic, pragmatic answers to the toughest questions businesses face.
Her content is constantly fresh, current and appropriate to your audience interests. Kate’s point of view is the result of her company GDR ‘s research and insights, combined with her own consulting and board advisory work with the world’s top brands.
Presentations typically include:
Consumer-facing AI for brands, retail and hospitality
Case studies, videos and examples indicating a future direction.
Macro and Micro trends shaping your sector / business / region
How to leverage the full potential of AI while maintaining human primacy
Why every business leader needs to be a Futurist and how to become one
Thought Leadership
NRF Big Show 2025
NRF Big Show 2024
Media
Kate has appeared on TV, radio, podcasts, webinars and in live panels. She has also addressed crowds of thousands at international conferences and written incisively in print.
Kate has recently appeared in the media discussing varied issues including: the decline of the high street; shifts in consumer behaviour driven by emerging technology; sustainability in business, and the role of Machine Learning, automation and AI.
TV
Radio & Podcasts
‘I am from Brazil, the leader of one of the delegations, we are the biggest international delegation in NRF and everybody loves to listen to and learn with Kate. She is one of the Best speakers at NRF. We ask to put her on the main stage as a Keynote speaker. Hope that this happens for the next year.’
Lu Carmo - about Kate at the NRF Big Show, January 2024
