Due to his background and media and broadcast experience, Benjamin Mee has now been asked to be on the BIAZA Communications and Development Committee (C&DC). C&DC advises the BIAZA office with regards to marketing and PR, oversees any promotional activity, campaigns and communication on the work of members to the... Read more
Due to his background and media and broadcast experience, Benjamin Mee has now been asked to be on the BIAZA Communications and Development Committee (C&DC). C&DC advises the BIAZA office with regards to marketing and PR, oversees any promotional activity, campaigns and communication on the work of members to the community at large. He is uniquely placed to be on this committee as he has the rare insight of an insider, being a Zoo Director himself and being knowledgeable about regulation, and also as an outsider looking in, thanks to his journalistic experience.
Benjamin is looking forward to beginning his time of the committee, and will work towards the aim of making zoos less mysterious and more accessible to the public, and of educating and engaging with the 24 million people who visit UK zoos every year. He would also like to work with the committee towards being more responsive to external events and actively engaging in key debates. This will also involve defending zoos against their unthinking critics. He is keen to ensure that the valuable, and vital, work in conservation and research that zoos are involved in to help increase numbers of endangered animals and protect the habitats of the wild is highlighted and celebrated
Benjamin’s emotive story is one of courage, resilience and enterprise. When he and his family learned that Dartmoor Zoo would be closed down if a buyer could not be found, he fought against all odds and bought it. He then found himself with an uphill battle juggling the complexities of managing a zoo and getting it ready for opening while facing the consequences of his wife’s terminal illness and caring for two young children.
Benjamin has unwavering passion for transforming lives through knowledge, collaboration and partnership and encouraging sustainability through shared practice in the context of conservation. Despite a turbulent relationship with the education system in his youth, Benjamin went on to study Psychology at UCL and completed and MSc in Science Journalism at Imperial College.
He became a contributing editor to Men’s Health and a Guardian columnist before he moved to Southern France and began writing a book on the Evolution of Humour in Man and Animals.
Benjamin Mee has a relaxed and informal speaking style. Eloquent entertaining and human, Benjamin tailors his speeches for each individual client. He has an array of inspiring and uplifting themes where he strives to apply his enthusiasm, commitment and passion to every audience he addresses.
In an engaging and amusing way Benjamin draws on his experiences of buying a zoo, overcoming obstacles and having his story made into a film, highlighting key themes for his clients.
“Benjamin Mee spoke to an audience of over 300 retail professionals with the utmost passion and enthusiasm about his story of buying a Zoo. His empathetic approach engaged the audience and they continued to listen to his every word. Benjamin has a natural ability to inject humour into his speech whilst at the same time delivering some very serious points on this amazing risk taking project. This is a unique story with many important business messages and one which the audience will remember for a long time to come. We loo forward to working with Benjamin again in the near future” Jan Jenkins Managing Director Room 54 Ltd – Tesco
“Benjamin Mee was truly inspirational, a story told from the heart and very different to the usual motivation speakers. it was the first time I have seen delegates queue to shake a speakers hand. Jill Leake , Royal Mail
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You can book Benjamin Mee through London Speaker Bureau by submitting the enquiry form on this page or calling our team. One of our consultants will respond promptly with Benjamin's current availability, speaking fees and any specific requirements for your event.
Benjamin Mee's speaking fees depend on the event format (in-person or virtual), the location, the length of the engagement and the level of customisation required. Please contact London Speaker Bureau for an up-to-date fee quote for Benjamin tailored to your event.
Benjamin Mee speaks on a range of business, leadership and industry subjects. Talks can be shaped around your audience, industry and strategic objectives - share your event brief with London Speaker Bureau and we will work with Benjamin to align the content with your delegates and goals.
London Speaker Bureau can book Benjamin Mee for events worldwide, subject to Benjamin's schedule. Please send us your event date, location and format and we will confirm availability and handle travel and logistics on your behalf.
Virtual and hybrid keynotes are now a standard part of the speaking industry. Please contact London Speaker Bureau to confirm whether Benjamin Mee is available to deliver a virtual session for your event and on which platform (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, a bespoke studio or your own).
Most keynote speeches run between 45 and 60 minutes, often followed by a 15-30 minute Q&A. Other formats - shorter conference slots, panel appearances or longer workshop sessions - may also be possible. Share your agenda with London Speaker Bureau and we will confirm what Benjamin can accommodate.
London Speaker Bureau will brief Benjamin Mee on your audience profile, sector and objectives so the keynote can be shaped around your event. The level of customisation possible depends on the speaker and the lead time - contact us with your brief and we will confirm what Benjamin can offer.
Benjamin Mee delivers keynotes in English. This profile may not list every language available; ask London Speaker Bureau to confirm. If you require simultaneous interpretation or a multilingual format, please mention this in your enquiry and London Speaker Bureau will arrange it for you.
Benjamin Mee's areas of expertise include a range of business, leadership and industry subjects. To get a clear sense of Benjamin's style, credentials and how they engage an audience, please review the biography, popular talks and any videos or testimonials shown on this page, or request a detailed speaker brief from London Speaker Bureau.
Benjamin Mee can be booked through London Speaker Bureau for corporate conferences, leadership events, internal team meetings, association gatherings and private client engagements where expertise in a range of business, leadership and industry subjects is relevant. Details of Benjamin's background and previous engagements are included in the biography above; contact us if you would like a more detailed list of past clients or case studies.
Beyond keynote speeches, many of the speakers on our roster also take part in workshops, executive masterclasses, panel discussions and fireside chats. Contact London Speaker Bureau with your preferred format and we will confirm what Benjamin Mee is able to offer alongside or instead of a keynote.
We generally recommend enquiring at least three to twelve months in advance to secure your preferred date with Benjamin Mee, particularly during peak conference seasons. Where possible we also accommodate shorter lead times - please contact London Speaker Bureau to check Benjamin's current availability for your dates.