Keynote Speaking

Inspire leadership, drive change, and redefine success with Amna Zaidi. With over 20 years of senior leadership experience in Finance, Transformation, and Leadership, Amna brings real-world expertise to every event, helping organisations achieve lasting impact.

Keynote Speaking That Shifts Mindsets — and Moves Strategy Forward

I don’t deliver keynotes for entertainment. I deliver them to ignite clarity, spark courage, and create commercial movement.

As a Chartered Accountant and strategic advisor who’s led and recovered £100M+ programmes, I speak to the reality behind the slide decks — the messy middle of transformation, the visibility without power, and the real cost of poor leadership.

If your team is navigating change, pressure, or visibility — this is where clarity begins.

Samm Smeltzer

In all honesty, Webtec is the best agency we've ever worked with.

What My Clients Are Saying

Amna Zaidi’s keynote at the Oxford Leadership Conference was the perfect blend of wisdom and real-life insights, offering practical advice for overcoming career challenges. Her authentic, relatable style and gentle strength made a lasting impact. I truly enjoyed her sessions.

F Mangwende
Delegate

Amna Zaidi's sessions were transformative, covering essential leadership skills with real-world examples and engaging activities. Her deep expertise and genuine commitment empowered me to lead with renewed confidence. Highly recommended for anyone seeking to grow in leadership, negotiations, and empowerment.

P Asif
Delegate

Amna Zaidi’s unmatched quality of work shines in delivering critical messages with the best analogies, transforming the most challenging situations with professionalism, clarity, and a near-impossible simplicity that resonates with every audience member. Her expertise is so vast that words fall short, and her statements are so precise and poignant that they speak volumes without embellishment. Working with her has been a privilege, and her vision will continue to influence me in the long term.

Dr K Kucuk
Professor, Oxford University

Must say, Amna Zaidi is one of the most outstanding professionals I have ever encountered. Her speech on negotiation and leadership was truly unforgettable, leaving a lasting impact on all who attended.

S Qvartskhava
Head of Education Alterbridge University

I wholeheartedly recommend Amna Zaidi as an outstanding panelist and keynote speaker. She delivered an insightful presentation on leadership and moderated a panel focused on women in leadership. Amna captivated the audience as she articulated a compelling vision for inclusive leadership. Her ability to foster meaningful dialogue and share practical insights makes her an exceptional choice for any event focused on leadership.

N Maqsood
Delegate

I met Amna at a leadership conference where she skillfully presented on challenging topics often difficult to discuss in a corporate environment. Her engaging style encouraged the audience to introspect while sharing her personal life experiences. I was thoroughly impressed with Amna and highly recommend her to any organisation, as she will undoubtedly make a positive impact on her audience.

A Sheetal
Delegate

Amna joined our organisation as a member of NOVA, and her impressive skill set and experience were invaluable to the NOVA Community. She delivered a keynote and facilitated a discussion at one of our events at Old Sessions House in London, which was extremely well received by an audience of emerging and senior leaders from various industries. We look forward to welcoming her back in the near future.

B O'Connor
CFO & Ceo NOVA

I was impressed by Amna's knowledge and passion during my professional interactions with her, which led to selecting her for a training session for our Board. Throughout the informative and interactive sessions, she kept the Board members engaged while demonstrating her expertise. I strongly recommend Amna for Board training in corporate and professional service firms, as well as other senior level training requirements.

A Rizvi
Country Managing Partner & Chair of the Board KPMG

Thank you, Amna, for conducting such informative and helpful training sessions over the last two days. I will certainly reach out in the future if I need further clarity on any of the topics we discussed or any governance-related issues requiring insight. Thank you once again!

K Yousafi
Board Member and Partner KPMG

Thank you for offering these sessions to the community. The feedback has been very positive, with many members expressing how much they’ve gained from your experiences. Your insights have sparked great discussions and provided practical takeaways. Members especially appreciate your authentic and relatable first-hand experiences, which make the sessions even more impactful.

C Burroughs
Head of Communities NOVA

Amna Zaidi's session on ‘The Art of Negotiation’ was truly insightful. Her honesty and real-life examples boosted my confidence to embrace silence and influence others effectively. Highly recommended!

L Carr
Sponsor & Risk Manager

Thank you, Amna, for a powerful session at WIBF. The feedback on ‘The Art of Negotiation’ has been overwhelmingly positive. Your storytelling and real-life examples brilliantly highlighted the principles of effective negotiation and the power of silence. It was a pleasure working with you!" – WIBF

S.Moran
Host

Amna’s expertise in driving cost savings and ensuring regulatory compliance was pivotal during the front-to-back trading system implementation and operating model transformation for NatWest. Her tenacity and commitment were unmatched. Highly recommended!

L Joubert
CTO

Amna was a pleasure to collaborate with on finance transformation projects, including a new Finance Operating Model that drove efficiency and quality improvements across the team.

P Astruc
CFO

Amna led a critical Finance Transformation programme at RBS, delivering significant headcount reductions and process efficiencies through operating model transformation. Her leadership was outstanding—she’s someone you want on your team.

J Clary
Finance Transformation Director

Working with Amna on DB’s StRIDe programme was an excellent experience. She delivered major headcount reductions and streamlined processes with impressive results. I strongly recommend her.

M Hedges
Transformation Director

Amna played a key role in the StRIDe programme, refreshing the Finance Vision and delivering substantial cost and efficiency gains. Her strategic mindset is invaluable.

S Xu
Finance SME

As an auditor on my team, Amna’s work consistently impressed both clients and senior leaders. Her dedication and professionalism led her to excel as a lead auditor. A joy to work with!

E Zekia
Audit Partner

Amna is an exceptional leader. Reporting to her at RBS, I witnessed her ability to drive results in high-pressure environments. Beyond that, she became a mentor who shaped my career through guidance and support.

T Human
Senior Manager Head of Professional Services

Amna’s leadership on a high-profile Tier 1 programme helped achieve critical cost savings and regulatory compliance across Finance and Treasury. She’s a trusted change leader.

R Muraleedharan
Lead PMO

Amna’s group-wide Finance Transformation expertise drove substantial cost savings and regulatory compliance improvements. She’s a strategic force, and I highly recommend her.

E Murnane
Finance Programme Director

I worked with Amna to achieve material savings in Finance Operating Costs and Regulatory compliance through Group-Wide Finance Transformation. I enjoyed working with her and would recommend her to anyone looking to deliver something similar.

J Mistry
Risk Manager

Amna is an exceptional professional in Business Transformation and Financial Advisory. With a deep understanding of the evolving role of CFOs and the latest trends, she combines technical expertise with outstanding communication and collaboration skills. Her positive attitude and commitment to excellence make her an invaluable asset to any team. Amna consistently goes the extra mile to deliver results, and I highly recommend her.

M Farhan
Partner, Professional Services

Amna is a problem-solver with sound judgement and extensive financial insight. She’s a true asset to any organisation looking to elevate its performance.

D Lineen
Director, KPMG
Samm Smeltzer

In all honesty, Webtec is the best agency we've ever worked with.

Why Organisations Choose Me

Boardroom-Relevant Insight — grounded in 20+ years of transformation delivery
Authentic, Strategic Storytelling — not motivational fluff
Commercial and Cultural Impact — every talk leaves people thinking differently
Tailored to finance leadership — no jargon, no filler, no wasted time

What I Speak About

Each keynote is designed around your audience, leadership challenges, and transformation goals — but here are some of the most requested themes:

Designing a Leader

How to lead when the rules don’t fit you — and how to shape a leadership style no one saw coming.

Transformation That Sticks

What makes change fail — and how leaders can reframe delivery, influence, and credibility when the pressure’s on.

Winning the Deal

The untaught truths behind high-stakes negotiation — and how CFOs can secure better outcomes at the sharpest end of leadership.

The Visibility Dilemma

What happens when you’re seen, but not heard — and how to lead when power isn’t handed to you.

Samm Smeltzer

In all honesty, Webtec is the best agency we've ever worked with.

Trusted Voice at Industry Events

I’m regularly invited by finance software providers to speak at their client events — not to promote tools, but to bring strategic insight that connects leadership, transformation, and commercial outcomes.
These sessions are designed for CFOs and senior finance leaders navigating complexity — and that’s where my independent voice makes the difference.

Real Talk, Not Sales Talk

Vendors trust me to say what others won’t. I highlight what drives real results, where transformation fails, and how leaders can deliver clarity under pressure — not just implement systems.

🎤 Recent Talks Have Included:

  • Transformation That Sticks — Keynote for a finance ERP provider’s leadership summit
  • The Future CFO: Strategy, Tech and Influence — Panel with a SaaS partner
  • Designing Finance Leadership at Scale — Fireside chat at a client conference

📩 Want to bring this perspective to your event?

A professional woman delivering insights as a keynote speaker during a business panel discussion.
Samm Smeltzer

In all honesty, Webtec is the best agency we've ever worked with.

Samm Smeltzer

In all honesty, Webtec is the best agency we've ever worked with.

Formats That Fit Your Event

Keynote Address – A flagship, main-stage delivery designed to open or close with impact.
Fireside Chat – A more intimate, interactive conversation with room for nuance and real-time reflection.
Panel Discussion – As a chair or contributor, I add insight, structure, and spark to multi-voice formats.
Workshop Add-On – If you want to take the keynote further, I offer breakout sessions or full-day workshops to embed the learning.

What You Can Expect From Me

Actionable insight from real-world leadership

Stories that humanise — but don’t sugar-coat

A tailored experience that aligns with your event’s goals

A strategic spark that lingers long after the applause

“You can’t rewrite the rules unless you’re bold enough to challenge them first.”
- Amna Zaidi

What Your Team Will Take Away

Actionable Strategies — from over 20 years leading and recovering high-stakes transformation programmes.

Potent leadership insights — drawn from real challenges, not hypothetical case studies

Authentic Storytelling — designed to connect the head and the heart, shifting not just perspective but posture.

A Heartfelt Connection — because leadership is human first, strategic second.

Smarter Strategies, Stronger Leaders, Real Outcomes — not just inspiration, but impact.

How to lead when the rules don’t fit you — and how to shape a leadership style no one saw coming.

What makes change fail — and how leaders can reframe delivery, influence, and credibility when the pressure’s on.

The untaught truths behind high-stakes negotiation — and how CFOs can secure better outcomes at the sharpest end of leadership.

What happens when you’re seen, but not heard — and how to lead when power isn’t handed to you.

Samm Smeltzer

In all honesty, Webtec is the best agency we've ever worked with.

Samm Smeltzer

In all honesty, Webtec is the best agency we've ever worked with.

Amna Zaidi: A Story of Resilience, Leadership, and Real Impact

At just 24, I became the first British Asian and Muslim to report directly to a UK company board — a milestone that shaped not just my career, but my leadership philosophy.

Since then, I’ve spent over two decades delivering, recovering, and advising on multi-million-pound finance transformation programmes across global organisations, FTSE firms, investment funds, and public sector bodies.

Today, I speak to audiences who don’t just want motivation — they want to lead differently, deliver decisively, and rewrite what success really looks like.

I bring the rigour of a Chartered Accountant, the depth of a former Finance Transformation Director, and the energy of someone who’s lived what she speaks.

🎙 Let me help your audience leave not just moved — but moved to act.

My Speaking Credentials

  • Former Finance Transformation Director at NatWest
  • Board-level reporting since age 24
  • Fellow Chartered Accountant (ICAEW)
  • Qualified Auditor and Strategic Advisor
  • Author of Unwinnable No More
  • Shared platforms with prime ministers, CEOs, and global changemakers
Two professionals engaged in a meaningful conversation during an event.
Samm Smeltzer

In all honesty, Webtec is the best agency we've ever worked with.

Flexible Formats to Suit Your Event

Understanding that different events call for different approaches, I offer various formats to engage your audience:

Traditional Keynote Speeches: Powerful, standalone presentations that set the tone for your event.

Interactive Fireside Chats: Intimate, conversational sessions that allow for deeper exploration of topics.

Panel Discussions: As a chair or participant, I bring energy and insight to multi-speaker dialogues.

Workshops: Hands-on sessions that translate concepts into practical skills.

Proven Results

Over 20 years of experience transforming underperforming teams and leading high-impact programmes.

Compelling Storytelling

Blending actionable strategies with captivating storytelling for maximum audience engagement.

Global Impact

Shared stages with presidents, prime ministers, and global industry leaders.

Independent Expertise

Offering objective, bias-free insights backed by a Chartered Accountant and Qualified Auditor background.

Tailored Experience

Every keynote and workshop is customised to align with your event’s goals and audience.

What Audiences Say

“Amna sees around corners and says what others won’t — but always with care and commercial clarity.”

— Senior Leader, FTSE Finance Function

“You could feel the room shift. She doesn’t deliver hype — she delivers hard truth with hope.”

— Transformation Lead, Investment Bank

Book Amna to Speak

Popular Topics Include:

  • How to Make Money Through Transformation
  • The Art of Negotiation
  • Designing a Leader

If you’re navigating leadership resistance, operational bottlenecks, or change fatigue — let’s create a keynote that tackles it head-on and leaves your audience energised, aligned, and ready to act.

1. THE ART OF NEGOTIATION

– How to build negotiation strategies that create win-win outcomes.

– Master influence techniques that drive long-term relationships.

– Real-life negotiation frameworks used by top industry leaders.

2. DESIGNING A LEADER

– Explore whether leadership is innate or can be cultivated.

– Define your unique leadership legacy.

– Build a powerful leadership presence.

3. HOW TO MAKE MONEY THROUGH TRANSFORMATION

– Unlock strategies to extract maximum value from your change programmes.

– Understand the lifespan of a business case and how to sustain long-term results.

4. THE EVOLVING ROLE OF THE CFO

– Discover the critical shift from CFO to CVO.

– Learn what it truly means to lead with a value-driven approach.

– Gain insights on driving strategic influence, measurable value, and long-term success.

This keynote provides an effective framework for mastering the art of Negotiation, derived from my own decades’ worth of experience in high-stakes corporate negotiations

In this keynote, we explore the essential qualities and skills required for leadership in today’s complex business environment.

Samm Smeltzer

In all honesty, Webtec is the best agency we've ever worked with.

Samm Smeltzer

In all honesty, Webtec is the best agency we've ever worked with.

Let’s Talk About Your Event

📅 Availability: Limited 2025 dates remaining
📩 Speaking & Media Enquiries: media@amnazaidi.com

I personally respond to every serious enquiry. We’ll tailor the right experience for your event, audience, and outcomes — whether it’s a leadership offsite, finance summit, or strategic transformation session.

Interested in working together?

Then don’t wait!

My speaking calendar for 2025 has a handful of available dates left, so if you’re interested in having me speak at your organisation’s event, then click the link below to explore your booking options.