Jackie Handy

Jackie Handy – Workforce Culture Specialist & Speaker

Jackie Handy is a popular speaker, author and workforce culture specialist. She helps organisations build happier, connected and higher-performing teams, increasing performance and cementing engagement.

With almost 30 years’ experience in executive recruitment, leadership development and culture strategy, Jackie beautifully combines expertise with story, inspiring behaviour change in high pressure businesses.

Her 2018 TEDx talk sparked global conversation, and she continues to work across industries to create cultures where people feel seen, heard and valued.

In 2023, Jackie solo-walked the 800km Camino de Santiago, an experience that deepened her understanding of human connection, courage, resilience under pressure and blisters!

These insights, together with the latest research shape her engaging and often hilarious presentations, which can all be tailored as interactive keynotes or team sessions.

Described as a ‘master of taking the audience on a journey’, this award-winning speaker mixes humorous models with hard-hitting strategy. Not only will Jackie have you on the edge of your seat, but she’ll leave you with practical tools to transform your leadership and memories that last way beyond Monday.

JACKIE HANDY SPEAKING TOPICS

The Power of Inclusion

The need to feel valued in the workplace matters. Not only is there a moral case, but when employees know they belong, companies reap substantial bottom-line benefits. Research by the Harvard Business Review showed that belonging was linked to a huge 56% increase in job performance, a 50% drop in turnover risk, and a 75% reduction in sick days.

Yet, as many as 36% of people feel isolated and undervalued at work.  Diversity and inclusion work is crucial, yet organisations struggle to understand what can be done to create welcoming workplace environments where everyone can thrive. Jackie Handy is a dynamic presenter and a captivating storyteller who specialises in workforce engagement and belonging.

Through sharing her lived experience of being a member of the LGBTQ+ community, Jackie has become a sought-after speaker. Known for her engaging and thought-provoking style, this interactive session helps demystify the topic and show how small changes can have a big impact on your workplace culture.

Cracking the Connection Code – Happier Teams for Better Business

When people stop feeling seen, they start to switch off. Teams disengage, customer service turns robotic and hitting sales targets becomes draining, not driving. In Cracking the Connection Code, Jackie lifts the lid on why connection in business isn’t just a nice-to-have, but the missing link to happier people, collaborative teams and improved results. Through gripping stories, science and real-world leadership insights, she’ll show how moments of human connection can reignite team culture, unlock performance, and become the USP that helps your business truly stand out.

You’ll laugh, reflect and be on your feet talking. You’ll leave with notepads full of ideas and memories that last far beyond Monday. Importantly you’ll transform how your teams work and how they feel while doing it.

The Heart of the Matter – the human-centred advantage in a high-tech world

In a world dominated by automation, analytics and AI, it’s never been more crucial for leaders to lead with heart as well as head. While digital innovation drives efficiency, it’s human connection that drives engagement, trust and performance.

Human-centred leadership isn’t about being soft, it’s about being smart. It’s about recognising that behind every productivity stat is a person with a story. One that, when understood, can promote loyalty, innovation and resilience.

In The Heart of the Matter, Jackie explores how leaders can navigate business challenges while staying grounded in what matters most: people. Drawing on her lived experience, global research, and professional expertise, Jackie combines heartfelt storytelling with practical tools to help you create workplaces where humanity and high performance go hand in hand.

Beyond The Mountain

Communication skills are consistently rated as the most important ‘soft skill’ required for leaders in the workplace. The ability to engage your team effectively results in sustainable return on investment. The challenge is in the ‘how to’. Simply put, you need to connect at a human level. Those who do improve wellbeing, inclusion and performance.

With fewer than 20% or workers globally feeling actively engaged in their work and loneliness at work increasing prevalent, the workplace needs human connection more than ever to help combat burnout, increase resilience and strengthen team cohesion.

Jackie Handy is a dynamic presenter and a captivating storyteller specialising in workforce culture, leadership, and belonging. She also loves walking. A lot. Drawing lessons from her 500-mile Camino hikes across northwest Spain, she will take you on the journey to show how connected conversations build confidence, deepen understanding and help navigate changing landscapes in an ever-changing world.