CHRIS BARÉZ-BROWN: MAKING WORK BRILLIANTLY HUMAN

Chris Baréz-Brown is a catalyst for making work brilliantly human, helping organizations unlock creativity, engagement, and performance by getting their energy right. As the founder of Upping Your Elvis, he works with global brands to reawaken the spark that makes people, teams, and businesses truly come alive, so that every day, and every interaction, genuinely counts.

His journey began at innovation consultancy What If!, where he rose to lead the business across London, New York, and Sydney. That experience shaped his belief that sustainable performance doesn’t come from pressure or process alone, but from aligning human energy with meaningful intent. Building on this insight, Chris founded Upping Your Elvis to help organizations become more creative, more connected, and more commercially effective by working with, rather than against, human nature.

Chris has partnered with some of the world’s most iconic organizations, including Unilever, Haleon, Nike, Diageo, Coca-Cola, and Uber. His work helps leaders and teams wake up to their potential, think differently, and deliver tangible business impact, earning recognition from institutions such as Harvard Business Review. Known for blending behavioral science with playful experimentation, he creates experiences that are as practical as they are transformative.

Described by The Guardian as “a long-haired, twinkly-eyed cross between Richard Branson and a wizard,” Chris brings a rare mix of depth, warmth, and originality. His philosophy centers on working with your natural design, aligning personal energy, creativity, and purpose with strategic goals, so people feel better, innovate faster, and perform at their best.

A prolific author, Chris has written five acclaimed books, including Shine, Wake Up!, and Upping Your Elvis, reaching global audiences through features on the BBC, The Guardian, and The Sunday Times. Beyond speaking and writing, he co-created Street Wisdom, a global movement using the streets as a tool for wellbeing and insight, and launched Talk It Out, a social enterprise offering fast, human pathways to mental clarity.

Chris Baréz-Brown is more than a keynote speaker or culture-change advisor. He is a reminder that work can be alive, leadership can be joyful, and creativity can be practical. In extraordinary times, his message is simple and powerful: don’t waste them.