Kate Hardcastle
Customer Insight Speaker
Kate Hardcastle MBE, a.k.a. The Customer Whisperer is the UK’s leading ‘go-to’ business expert on consumer insight for National TV & Media.
Kate has added her unique brand of knowledgeable commentary to hundreds of interviews for BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, Sky News and Radio channels BBC 2, BBC 4, BBC 5 Live and commercial stations.
She has also presented & provided expertise for leading consumer shows Rip Off Britain (BBC 1) What Britain Bought (Channel 4) Battlefront (Channel 4) and Inside Out (BBC 1) as well as being the consumer champion for hit ITV 1 consumer show – Eat Shop Save (new series starts in June 2021).
Kate Hardcastle was honoured with an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours 2018, and was the recipient of the Prime Ministers Point of Light Award. She has been celebrated with 26 National & International commerce awards including Business Woman of the Year, Inspiration Award and Influencer of the Year.
In a public vote of over 88,000 people – Kate was the recipient of the Yorkshire Business Woman of the Year and the Yorkshire Society’s Media Personality 2018.
Her work is respected globally, projects have included the successful turnaround of ailing retail brands & shopping centre, the creation of powerful consumer brands & consultant to oversee business redevelopment, restructure & takeovers.
Kate Hardcastle is a valued business speaker on topics including consumer behaviour, developing talent, women in business & strategic alliances. As a Keynote speaker at over 200 events including Retail World Congress, Arabian Business Conference & The Business Show alongside a wide selection of fellow speakers such as former POTUS Bill Clinton & Joanna Lumley OBE.
Kate is the founder owner of Insight with Passion – a business transformation organisation partnering clients to greater commercial success. Insight with Passion has delivered change for brands including The Co-op, Trutex, and retail & leisure property investor NewRiver REIT plc.
She was the driving force behind the businesses Access for All commitment, which sees the business donate an impressive 20% back to good causes & was flagged as a case study for Big Society by Downing Street.
Kate is a Trustee for the Diana Award, a charity supporting young people and ambassador for several charities including Women In Sport & northern branches of R.S.P.C.A She has been a significant supporter of the charity – Welcome to Yorkshire and has donated time for over 50 free workshops & training events which has assisted over 1000 Yorkshire small businesses & charities with commercial advice & strategy.
Kate born in Huddersfield, and with her husband, is proud parent of 3 children, spending time at her family home in , Yorkshire, London and with her International clients based in U.S.A, Middle East & Australia.
SPEAKING TOPICS
Kate Hardcastle has a no-nonsense, warm approach which has seen her speak alongside world-renowned names, such as Bill Clinton and brands such as McDonalds and Google.
She speaks on topics such as –
• Women in business, sports & media.
• The Practice of Retail Theatre – it provides advice to retailers and businesses on using the five senses to entice consumers and increase footfall and profitability.
• Consumer behaviour,
• Developing talent
“If you're looking for a dynamic speaker to enthuse your audience, then look no further than Kate Hardcastle. Kate speaks on a range of topics from business 'oomph' to self-confidence and the importance of young people growing up with a positive image of themselves. I've seen Kate speak on many occasions and she never fails to inspire, inform and entertain, which is why I'm happy to recommend her for your event”
“Kate was the most inspirational person I've ever heard. I felt so lucky to be invited to a workshop she ran in Halifax. I believe I have fab customer service due to implementing suggestions Kate made. Thank you”
— Lizzy Radcliffe INSKIN NAKED FOUNDER