The Advertising Association, the IPA, and ISBA’s flagship LEAD conference has revealed its keynote speakers, which include leaders from Boots, Group M and Nationwide. 

The event will focus on the themes of growth and value.

As the socioeconomic turbulence of an election-filled 2024 left many businesses feeling the squeeze, LEAD will gather advertising leaders and political editors to discuss the most pressing issues the industry faces in 2025.

“This year’s summit will be packed with political and business insights, and vital discussions on issues ranging from economic growth to AI, brand safety to trust,” says Stephen Woodford, CEO, Advertising Association.

LEAD 2025, which will take place on 6 February at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in Westminster. The event is set to open with a speech by Sir Chris Bryant, the Minister for Creative Industries, Arts and Tourism. Bryant will outline his plans for the creative industries in Labour’s first full year of Government. 

Alongside the Labour minister, the day’s lineup key speeches from Pete Markey, CMO for Boots UK and ISBA President, and Josh Krichefski, CEO of GroupM EMEA and IPA President on topics of growth of the industry, creativity and trust.

Dame Annette King will lead a dedicated panel exploring advertising’s economic and regional contributions while the Advertising Association’s Chair will be joined by Laura Fenton, CEO of OMG UK, Catherine Kehoe, Chief Customer Officer for Nationwide and Kelly Williams, Managing Director of Commercial for ITV.

Virgin Media O2’s Simon Valcarcel, Royal London’s Anneli Ritari-Stewart, and Cadbury Equity’s Phil Warfield, will tackle the topic of AI and its potential to generate real growth, while Meta’s Sarah Bakai, Google’s Dyana Najdi, and TikTok’s Kris Boger will discuss tech and brand safety.

Other key speakers include Absolute Radio Presenter Matt Forde, Sky News’ Beth Rigby, Nationwide’s Catherine Kehoe, Google’s Dyana Najdi, adam&eveDDB’s Miranda Hipwell, and Aardman’s Emma Hardie.

To view the full agenda and book your place, please click here.