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Keynote SpeakerClaire Williams

Former Deputy Team Principal of the Williams Formula One racing team

Claire Williams OBE led the Williams Formula 1 racing team until 2020, in which role she was one of only two women to head a Formula 1 team in the modern era. Under her leadership Williams finished 3rd in the World Championship for Constructors in 2014 and 2015, the team’s... Read more

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Popular Talks by Claire Williams

  • Sports
  • Safety & Risk Management
  • Leadership
  • Teamwork & Collaboration
  • Data-driven performance & Innovation
  • Health & Safety
  • Change & Transformation
  • Sustainability
  • Diversity, Equality and Inclusion

Biography

Claire Williams OBE led the Williams Formula 1 racing team until 2020, in which role she was one of only two women to head a Formula 1 team in the modern era. Under her leadership Williams finished 3rd in the World Championship for Constructors in 2014 and 2015, the team’s best performance since 2003.

Today she is a global Brand Ambassador for green technologies business Fortescue Zero, formerly WAE Technologies, and one of the expert Formula 1 analysts on the Netflix ‘Drive To Survive’ documentary series through the 2024 and 2025 editions.

Her late father, Sir Frank Williams, was the founder of the Williams Grand Prix Engineering F1 team, winning nine Constructors’ Championships and seven Drivers’ Championships.

Claire graduated from Newcastle University with a degree in Politics in 1999 prior to starting her career as a Press Officer for Silverstone Circuit. In 2002, she joined the Williams team as Communications Officer, rising to become Head of Communications and Head of Investor Relations before being appointed Commercial Director in 2012.

When Frank Williams stepped down later that year, Claire became the Williams family representative on the company’s board. In March 2013 she became Deputy Team Principal, the de facto team leader responsible for the development and day-to- day running of the team. Sir Frank Williams retained the Team Principal title in recognition of his founding role and a lifetime of dedication to Williams Racing.

Claire has been among the most prominent and successful women in recent Formula 1 history. After taking the team to successive third places in the Constructors’ Championships in just her second and third years in charge, Claire maintained the team’s prominence with top 5 finishes in 2016 and 2017.

During her tenure, Claire was a keen advocate for greater diversity and inclusion within Williams Racing and across the sport as a whole. She acted as the catalyst to give Susie Wolff the chance to become the first female racing driver to participate in a Formula 1 race weekend since 1992.

As Vice President of the Spinal Injuries Association, Claire also sought to encourage spinal cord injured individuals into the team and established workplace opportunities for wheelchair users. In April 2023 she launched the Sir Frank Williams Academy which aims to provide life changing care for spinal cord injured people, a charitable initiative which has received support from the Williams Racing team.

Since successfully negotiating the sale of the Williams F1 team in 2020 Claire has provided consultancy services to brands entering Formula 1 and is a popular speaker at corporate events where she shares insights on leading high performing teams. She was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the Queen’s 2016 Birthday Honours List in recognition of her services to Formula One.

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How to book Claire Williams as a keynote speaker

How do I book Claire Williams for a keynote speech?

You can book Claire Williams through London Speaker Bureau by submitting the enquiry form on this page or calling our team. One of our consultants will respond promptly with Claire's current availability, speaking fees and any specific requirements for your event.

What are Claire Williams's speaking fees?

Claire Williams'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 Claire tailored to your event.

What topics does Claire Williams speak about?

Claire Williams speaks on Business & Management, Inspirational Women, Leadership, Leadership & Motivation, Organisation. Talks can be shaped around your audience, industry and strategic objectives - share your event brief with London Speaker Bureau and we will work with Claire to align the content with your delegates and goals.

Is Claire Williams available for international events?

London Speaker Bureau can book Claire Williams for events worldwide, subject to Claire's schedule. Please send us your event date, location and format and we will confirm availability and handle travel and logistics on your behalf.

Does Claire Williams deliver virtual or online keynotes?

Virtual and hybrid keynotes are now a standard part of the speaking industry. Please contact London Speaker Bureau to confirm whether Claire Williams is available to deliver a virtual session for your event and on which platform (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, a bespoke studio or your own).

How long is a typical keynote by Claire Williams?

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 Claire can accommodate.

Can Claire Williams tailor the keynote to our industry and audience?

London Speaker Bureau will brief Claire Williams 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 Claire can offer.

What languages does Claire Williams present in?

Claire Williams 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.

What makes Claire Williams a strong fit as a keynote speaker?

Claire Williams's areas of expertise include Business & Management, Inspirational Women, Leadership, Leadership & Motivation, Organisation. To get a clear sense of Claire'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.

What kind of events can Claire Williams speak at?

Claire Williams can be booked through London Speaker Bureau for corporate conferences, leadership events, internal team meetings, association gatherings and private client engagements where expertise in Business & Management, Inspirational Women, Leadership, Leadership & Motivation, Organisation is relevant. Details of Claire'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.

Does Claire Williams offer workshops, panels or fireside chats in addition to keynotes?

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 Claire Williams is able to offer alongside or instead of a keynote.

How far in advance should we book Claire Williams?

We generally recommend enquiring at least three to twelve months in advance to secure your preferred date with Claire Williams, particularly during peak conference seasons. Where possible we also accommodate shorter lead times - please contact London Speaker Bureau to check Claire's current availability for your dates.