Lady Michelle Mone

Lady (Michelle) Mone, Baroness of Mayfair OBE, remains one of the most sought-after speakers, consistently recognized for her profound impact as an entrepreneur and advocate for equality in business. Recently reaffirmed as the UK’s Number 1 Female speaker, her narrative is deeply intertwined with her roles both in business and societal advancement.

Founder of Ultimo Brands International, Baroness Mone established the brand as a leader in the lingerie sector, reflecting her initial mission to support women in feeling their best. Her significant contributions to business were recognized with a Life Peerage to the House of Lords and an OBE from Her Majesty the Queen.

Baroness Mone’s journey began in Glasgow's East End, where personal challenges propelled her into the workforce at fifteen after her father became paraplegic. Her early career saw rapid advancement in sales and marketing, which was a precursor to her entrepreneurial ventures. The discomfort from a poorly designed bra at a dinner dance sparked her creation of the Ultimo bra, setting the stage for her business success.

Her influence has been acknowledged with several awards, including the World Young Business Achiever Award in 2000 and Business Woman of the Year at the Corporate Elite Awards in London. Invited by Prince Charles to join the board of The Prince’s Trust, her role extended beyond business into impactful charitable work.

Baroness Mone’s capacity to inspire was highlighted at a 2005 event with Bill Clinton and Mikhail Gorbachev, which led to her support of the Women's Enterprise Project in the Middle East. Through these experiences, she recognized the transformative potential of sharing her journey.

Despite personal challenges, including a demanding divorce and the battle to maintain her business, her speaking and mentoring career has flourished. She has reached audiences in over 50 countries, sharing insights from her life and business career. Her work culminated in the leadership of The Mone Review, commissioned to enhance support for start-ups in deprived areas.

After selling Ultimo to MAS Holdings in 2016 and transferring her UTAN business to her daughter Rebecca in 2017, Baroness Mone has diversified her interests into jewelry design, a global interior design business, and development projects in Dubai. She continues to invest in technology and supports women's empowerment through new initiatives.

Continuing her legislative work with the House of Lords and her role as the start-up business Tsar for the UK Government, Baroness Mone remains at the forefront of entrepreneurship and public service, leveraging her platform to foster business innovation and gender equality.