Captivating Business Speaker
Conference Keynotes | Leadership Workshops | Team Away Days
Bryony Thomas: Multi-award winning speaker who survived 12 weeks to live, completed London Marathon & created Watertight Marketing used by 3500+ businesses. Known as “Multi-Million Pound Cat Thief” for one of her most memorable analogies.
A Story of Unbreakable Strength
My journey from tragedy to triumph isn’t just my story – it’s a roadmap for anyone, or any business, facing seemingly impossible challenges.
The Foundation of Resilience
My resilience was forged early. At age 5, I lost my mother to suicide. Raised by a brilliant but troubled single father in an alternative community in Wales, I learned that life doesn’t follow predictable patterns – and that’s where opportunity lives.
By age 19, I was managing national fundraising campaigns. By 28, I was a divisional marketing director for a FTSE 100 company. I built a six-figure consultancy from scratch in six months and created the Watertight Marketing methodology that’s now used by over 3,500 businesses.
The Crisis That Changed Everything
In December 2019, at age 41, I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and given 12 weeks to live. My daughter was just 8. I was about to secure investment for a global software business based on 10 years of methodology development.
In an instant, everything I’d built seemed meaningless. But here’s what I learned: crisis doesn’t destroy entrepreneurs – it reveals who we really are.
The Comeback Blueprint
After five years of brutal treatment and hard-won recovery, I didn’t just survive – I found strength I didn’t know I had. I completed the London Marathon, raised awareness of the disease at a national level, and returned to speaking with a deeper understanding of what drives real business resilience.
The same principles that saved my life can transform your business: radical clarity on what matters, unwavering focus on controllable actions, and the courage to bet on yourself even when the odds are stacked against you.
Talk to me about your event
Memorable | Actionable | Surprisingly Fun
Am I right for your event?
What I bring is deep and proven business expertise, an incredible life story, and a humour you wouldn’t expect.
My talks create lasting impact because they combine deep expertise with authentic human truth. Whether you’re planning a conference with an audience of hundreds looking for new ways to face business challenges, or an intimate away day for your board to get clear on priorities, I can bring something special.
“No Speaker has made as much impact as quickly as Bryony Thomas.”
Professional Background
- Creator of the Watertight Marketing methodology used by 3,500+ businesses
- Former FTSE 100 Marketing Director at age 28
- Built six-figure consultancy from scratch
- Part of team that secured £85m business sale
Personal Journey
- Cancer survivor (given 7% chance of 5-year survival)
- London Marathon finisher post-recovery
- Single father upbringing after mother’s suicide at age 5
- Raised in alternative community in Wales
- Stories that will wake up your audience
Speaking Experience
- 15+ years professional speaking on stages of all sizes
- Academy of Chief Executives Rising Star Speaker Award
- Delivered board-level workshops for major corporations
- Mentored 200+ entrepreneurs through signature programmes
Media & Recognition
- Best-selling author: “Watertight Marketing”
- Featured in The Telegraph, ITV, BBC News
- Marketing Book of the Year winner
- Fellow of Chartered Institute of Marketing
- Triumph Over Adversity Award winner
Three Layered Impact
Every concept comes with a framework, a metaphor, and a real-world story. I’ve developed this approach to engage different learning styles and ensure your audience leaves with actionable insights – not just inspiration.
Framework
The process minded people in your audience will love the simple diagrams I’ve developed to get concepts across.
Metaphor
Your more kinaesthetic learners will get their lightbulb moments when I bring in a crazy metaphor and prop to bring an idea to life.
Real Life Story
Those that need a bit of evidence from the real world will love the stories I bring from the 3500+ businesses I’ve worked with.
“Wow…. What an amazing session, as I said yesterday it was by far the most engaging and relevant CEO session I have ever been to!”
Speaking Topics
- Resilience That Drives Results: How to build an anti-fragile business. One that can survive disruptions and scale despite the growing pains.
- Courage in Crisis: Leading when everything’s on the line. The mindset shifts and practical frameworks that turn crisis moments into business breakthroughs.
- Sustainable Growth Systems: Master the methodology used by 3500+ businesses to build predictable and scalable growth that doesn’t rely on being superhuman.