Mohsin Zaidi Profile Picture

Keynote SpeakerMohsin Zaidi

Award-winning author, Commentator & Barrister

Mohsin Zaidi is a criminal barrister at one of the top chambers in the country and represents clients in a number of high-profile cases. He has previously worked at a UN war crimes tribunal in The Hague and at the UK’s Supreme Court. Mohsin is an advocate for LGBT rights,... Read more

Biography

Mohsin Zaidi is a criminal barrister at one of the top chambers in the country and represents clients in a number of high-profile cases. He has previously worked at a UN war crimes tribunal in The Hague and at the UK’s Supreme Court. Mohsin is an advocate for LGBT rights, BAME representation and social mobility.

He is on the board of Stonewall, the UK’s biggest LGBT rights charity and is a governor of his former secondary school. Mohsin appears as a commentator on Sky News and has previously written for CNN Style, Bustle, Mr Porter and Newsweek. The Financial Times listed him as a top future LGBT leader, The Lawyer Magazine included him on their Hot 100 list, and Attitude magazine has named him a trailblazer changing the world today.

A Dutiful Boy is a coming of age memoir (published by Penguin) about Mohsin Zaidi, a Muslim boy growing up in a poor part of London in a strict religious household who has to come to terms with the fact that he is gay. He becomes the first person from his school to go to Oxford University, where he is confronted with the broken parts of his identity and seeks a way to reconcile seeming irreconcilable worlds. He then goes on to become a criminal barrister.

In young adulthood, Mohsin Zaidi fights for a place in his family and ultimately finds it. At its heart, the story is one of family love, with parents overcoming the religious and cultural barriers that stand between them and their son. As well as faith, sexuality and mental health, the book addresses issues of race and class in a subtle but sophisticated manner.

It has been described by The Guardian as ‘a profound meditation on the power of the human heart to transcend the contradictions of diverse cultures and create something new…utterly compelling…providing a lesson of acceptance for us all, and for the future of our multicultural society’. The Times says it is a book that will save lives. Mohsin was recently on Elizabeth Day’s ‘How to Fail’ podcast and she has said the book is ‘deeply moving and profoundly important’.

"I have engaged Mohsin as a speaker twice, once at BBC Studios for its Inclusion Summit and again at The LEGO Group in time for National Coming Out Day. Mohsin is an engaging and charismatic speaker on D&I topics including social mobility and mental health, who gives his audience pause for thought and opens up valuable discussions within organisations." LEGO Group
"Mohsin’s speaker session was incredibly powerful. We had an outpouring of positive feedback after the talk – from people expressing both their gratitude for having the chance to be part of an open conversation on critical intersectional topics, and their praise for Mohsin as a powerful storyteller." Bain
“We were delighted to have Mohsin talk to clients, partners and staff as part of a joint LGBT+ History Month event with Combar, Techbar and the Chancery Bar Association. He has a way of tackling difficult subjects such as mental health, intersectionality and class authentically, and in a completely non-preachy way." Allen and Overy LLP

Popular Talks by Mohsin Zaidi

  • Mental Health

    Mohsin addresses the stigma around mental health within ethnic minority communities and draws a parallel between it and a cultural stigma around discussing mental wellbeing in the workplace. Through very personal and at times harrowing tales, Mohsin articulates the case for honesty in personal identity within yourself but also at…
  • Social mobility

    The single most pressing issue of diversity facing society and businesses is the one to which we give the least attention. While measures of equity on race/gender/sexuality move in the right direction, the gap between rich and poor continues to widen. Through personal experience of growing up in a council…
  • D&I / Intersectionality

    None of us are just one thing and Mohsin is the personification of an intersectional life. On race, Mohsin has the facts and figures to back up the experiences of ethnic minorities we so often hear about in the news. On class, he speaks candidly about the difference between the…
  • The power of representation

    Through eye opening stories in a professional and personal context, Mohsin explains how diverse representation in key roles doesn’t just demonstrate a commitment to being an inclusive organisation but adds value to it.

  • Book group (Q&A)

    Q&A around the critically acclaimed memoir ‘A Dutiful Boy’, drawing on all the strands Mohsin writes and speaks on.

How to book Mohsin Zaidi as a keynote speaker

How do I book Mohsin Zaidi for a keynote speech?

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

What are Mohsin Zaidi's speaking fees?

Mohsin Zaidi'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 Mohsin tailored to your event.

What topics does Mohsin Zaidi speak about?

Mohsin Zaidi speaks on Behaviour, Diversity, Mental Health, Society & Education. Talks can be shaped around your audience, industry and strategic objectives - share your event brief with London Speaker Bureau and we will work with Mohsin to align the content with your delegates and goals.

Is Mohsin Zaidi available for international events?

London Speaker Bureau can book Mohsin Zaidi for events worldwide, subject to Mohsin'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 Mohsin Zaidi 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 Mohsin Zaidi 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 Mohsin Zaidi?

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 Mohsin can accommodate.

Can Mohsin Zaidi tailor the keynote to our industry and audience?

London Speaker Bureau will brief Mohsin Zaidi 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 Mohsin can offer.

What languages does Mohsin Zaidi present in?

Mohsin Zaidi delivers keynotes in English. 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 Mohsin Zaidi a strong fit as a keynote speaker?

Mohsin Zaidi's areas of expertise include Behaviour, Diversity, Mental Health, Society & Education. To get a clear sense of Mohsin'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 Mohsin Zaidi speak at?

Mohsin Zaidi can be booked through London Speaker Bureau for corporate conferences, leadership events, internal team meetings, association gatherings and private client engagements where expertise in Behaviour, Diversity, Mental Health, Society & Education is relevant. Details of Mohsin'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 Mohsin Zaidi 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 Mohsin Zaidi is able to offer alongside or instead of a keynote.

How far in advance should we book Mohsin Zaidi?

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