Lord John Bird MBE

Founder and Editor-in-Chief, The Big Issue

John Bird is a social entrepreneur and best known for co-founding The Big Issue, a weekly magazine aimed at providing employment opportunities for homeless individuals which was initially started in the UK but has since expanded globally, helping thousands of people.

“By buying and taking The Big Issue, you equalise two people who are in a sense unequal in the world.” John Bird

Topics

Starting the "Big Issue"
The John Bird Story
Empowering Others through Self-empowerment
Achieving the Impossible
Leadership

Languages

He presents in English.

How he presents

John’s diverse experience, combined with his exuberant personality, erudition and often trenchant views make him a compelling and entertaining speaker.

Publications

2012
The Necessity of Poverty
2011
The 10 Keys to Success
2006
How to Change Your Life in 7 Steps
2002
Some Luck

Talk to us about John Bird

In Detail

John Bird’s early life was marked by school exclusions, homelessness, and incarceration. In 1991, he founded The Big Issue and four years later he set up the The Big Issue Foundation. John’s commitment led him into politics in the early 2000s, where he served as a Social Enterprise Ambassador until 2010. Taking on the role of a non-partisan “people’s peer,” John was appointed as a Life Peer in 2015, becoming Baron Bird of Notting Hill and assuming the position of Vice-Chair of the Groups on Poverty, Ending Homelessness and Social Enterprise. John’s dedication to helping others has earned him numerous accolades, including an MBE in the 1995 Birthday Honors for his services to homeless people. He was also named “Entrepreneur of the Year” by Ernst & Young and honoured as “London’s Living Legend” by the public.

What he offers you

John remains a prominent figure in social change, contributing through commentary on political policies and appearances at fundraising events. By sharing his own personal journey, he conveys what it takes to achieve success and offers valuable insights on personal development and business leadership to his audiences.

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