"Katy was a hugely popular choice as our keynote speaker at this year’s MarketEd.Live event, Creative Climate. Many attendees told us they were at the event because Katy was speaking - which is great from an event organiser’s perspective, because you never really know. As the curator, I always like to ensure the sessions are a good fit for our audience, and Katy was very open to this. We met to go through our community, what they enjoy and what our objectives were. This is refreshing, as many speakers are only interested in reproducing their standard talk. On the day, Katy allowed time for questions and was challenged on some ideas articulated in the talk. It was fantastic to hear her respond positively and engage with delegates who were truly able to take something away. Thank you, Katy."
Paul, CEO, Like Mind Media
Katy Leeson – Operations Director of Social Chain, 2x LinkedIn Top Voice & Host of the Top 5 Business Podcast “I Shouldn’t Say This, But…”
Katy Leeson is an award-winning business leader, marketing strategist and podcast host recognised for her role in transforming Social Chain into one of the most influential social media agencies in the world. As the former UK Managing Director of Steven Bartlett’s Social Chain, Katy helped grow the company from a small Manchester start-up into a £300 million global powerhouse. Twice named a LinkedIn Top Voice and honoured among Business Live’s 22 Women in Leadership, she is now the Co-Founder of Blank Space Content Studios and a sought-after speaker on leadership, marketing, imposter syndrome and workplace culture.
Speaking Topics:
- What I Learned Scaling a Team from 30 to 130 & Revenue by 650% in Six Years
- Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: How to Turn Your Biggest Fear into Your Biggest Motivator
- Bridging the Generational Gap: Learning Together Across Ages
- Sustainable Performance: Why Burnout is a Design Problem, Not a Personal One
- From Work-Life Balance to Work-Life Blend: Designing How Work Actually Works
- Sustainable Performance in the Modern Workplace: From Balance to Blend
Credentials and Impact
Katy’s career began at MediaCom North, where she spent over a decade mastering brand strategy, innovation and client development, eventually becoming Head of New Business and Marketing. In 2016, she joined Social Chain as Operations Director before being promoted to UK Managing Director, helping drive its rapid expansion from 30 employees to over 750 across 24 offices worldwide. During her tenure, Katy was instrumental in shaping the company’s culture and positioning Social Chain as a pioneer in digital storytelling and community engagement.
Following her success in the agency world, Katy became CEO of Relentless Group in 2022, later taking on a consulting and coaching role to help individuals and brands achieve sustainable growth. Her experience leading large creative teams while championing wellbeing, diversity and innovation has cemented her reputation as one of the UK’s most authentic and inspiring voices in business leadership. In 2025, she co-founded Blank Space Content Studios, a creative agency built on purpose, authenticity and connection.
Publications and Media
Katy is the host of the acclaimed podcast “I Shouldn’t Say This, But…”, which has reached the Top 5 of the UK business podcast charts. Through honest and thought-provoking conversations, she explores topics such as mental health, self-doubt and the realities of leadership, featuring guests from the worlds of media, entrepreneurship and culture. She is also a highly influential LinkedIn creator, having been twice recognised as a LinkedIn Top Voice for her candid commentary on professional growth, female leadership and navigating imposter syndrome in high-pressure industries.
Why Hire Katy?
Audiences book Katy for her authenticity, insight and ability to spark meaningful change in how organisations approach leadership and personal development. Her talks tackle the challenges of imposter syndrome, workplace culture, and building confidence in the digital age, all grounded in her lived experience of leading one of the UK’s most successful creative agencies. Combining humour, vulnerability and practical advice, Katy leaves audiences inspired to embrace transparency, find their voice and redefine success on their own terms. Whether speaking at corporate events, leadership conferences or creative summits, Katy brings warmth, relatability and powerful lessons from her journey at the forefront of modern marketing.
To book Katy to speak at your event, call SpeakOut on +44 (0) 20 8914 8966. Alternatively, complete our contact form to begin your enquiry.
020 8914 8966
020 8914 8966
