Lemn SissayAcclaimed Poet, Artist and Former Chancellor of the University of Manchester

Lemn Sissay is a distinguished poet, artist, and broadcaster, recognised as one of the most influential artistic voices in the United Kingdom. His career began at the community publisher Cultureword in Manchester, donde he nurtured new writing talent before establishing himself as an internationally acclaimed author and performer. Much of his creative output focuses on themes of identity, social division, and race, drawing on his personal history of foster care and children's homes—a story he shared through the play Something Dark and a BBC documentary. His multidisciplinary work spans from visual art displayed at the Royal Academy to the public installation Guilt of Cain in the City of London. He has served as the official poet for both the London 2012 Olympics and the FA Cup, and held the prestigious role of Chancellor of the University of Manchester. Beyond his own writing, he has collaborated with diverse musicians such as Jarvis Cocker and Leftfield, and presented programmes on broadcasters including the BBC on subjects ranging from Gil Scott Heron to the Proms. Sissay is an impassioned advocate for equality and education, using his platform to highlight the long-term impact of disrupted childhoods. Whether addressing the World Health Organisation or leading creative workshops, he is booked for his unique ability to combine monumental imagery with human stories. Audiences find his sessions deeply moving, offering an authoritative perspective on resilience, creativity, and the transformative power of the spoken word. On stage, Lemn Sissay is best known for talks on Diversity & Inclusion. Audiences leave with a clear, practical view of the subject rather than a generic overview — every keynote is shaped around the brief and the room. Their work resonates with leaders across Arts & Culture, Education and Social Impact & Advocacy, where the themes translate directly into team decisions, customer experience and growth strategy. Lemn Sissay is regularly booked for Performers and Entertainer, Presenter & Awards Host and Conference Speaker, adapting tone, length and format to suit the event — from a 20-minute opener to a full conference keynote with Q&A. Based in UK, Lemn Sissay travels internationally for engagements. To check availability or request a tailored brief for your event, send an enquiry and we'll come back with fees, dates and a short summary of how Lemn Sissay would approach your audience.