Dr Ros Rivaz

Dr Ros Rivaz is a distinguished leader with an extensive career across the manufacturing, retail and technology sectors. She has held high-profile roles including Chief Operating Officer of Smith & Nephew and senior executive positions at multinational organisations such as Diageo, ICI, ExxonMobil and Tate & Lyle. In the public sector, her expertise has been utilised as the Chair of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and as a Non-Executive Director for the Ministry of Defence Equipment and Support Agency. Drawing on her background in chemistry and years of operational experience, Dr Rivaz provides a pragmatic perspective on managing complex organisations through shifting market demands and technological disruptions. She explores the broader implications of innovation, using examples like custom medical engineering to demonstrate how new technology transforms every department from design to sales. Her analysis extends to the security of global supply chains and the strategic necessity of balancing firm business decisions with an empathetic approach to leadership. Dr Rivaz is a committed advocate for diversifying the engineering and science professions, offering audiences a unique look at the future of organisational networks. She is frequently booked for her ability to translate immense corporate experience into clear strategies for navigating risk and fostering resilient leadership in any industry. On stage, Dr Ros Rivaz is best known for talks on Manufacturing & Engineering, Change Management, Diversity & Inclusion, Risk & Risk Management, Leadership and Strategy. 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. Dr Ros Rivaz is regularly booked for Business Speaker 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, Dr Ros Rivaz 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 Dr Ros Rivaz would approach your audience.