About Karl George

Now in his mid-thirties he is a high-profile multi-award winning businessman, motivational speaker, writer and dedicated charity worker. For his outstanding service to the social and business communities he was awarded an MBE in 2004.

But despite his exceptional aptitude for accounts and business, it is as a motivational speaker that Karl George truly excels. What sets him apart is the way he combines his in-depth subject knowledge with his unflinching passion for speaking. He also has a unique delivery style and a gift for translating quite complicated concepts into lay man's terms. Karl George's inspirational approach to topics such as leadership, entrepreneurship and personal development has endeared him to business audiences across Britain.

He often challenges established and aspiring entrepreneurs through imaginative presentations, lecturing and one to one coaching. He is now ranked as one of Britain's leading speakers and business coaches in areas such as entrepreneurship, fast growth businesses and leadership

He has shared the platform with international speakers like

• George Fraser -international best selling author and entrepreneur.
• Sahar Hashemi - co founder of Coffee Republic,
• Mike Southon-the Beermat Entrepreneur,
• Karan Bilimoria -founder of Cobra Beer.
• More recently he has worked with Dr Edward de Bono, one of the worlds leading creative thinkers.

Andersons KBS

Karl George has an impressive business pedigree. In 2001 his firm George Leedham, an accountancy practice employing 15 people and catering for clients with up to £20million turnovers, merged with Andersons KBS, a 76-year-old multi-disciplined business consultancy and accountancy business. Within six months of the merger Karl George became managing director. His dynamic leadership skills saw the firm's turnover shoot up to more than £1million. Karl George is also the man behind

Karl Organises Open

Open,an event that brings together business leaders from the Midlands with some of Britain's most successful entrepreneurs. They include the likes of Karan Bilimoria, founder of Cobra Beer; Sahar Hashemi, co-founder of Coffee Republic and Mike Southon, co-author of the Beermat Entrepreneur, Michelle Mone of ultimo Bras. Another Karl George invention is Open 500, an invitation-only business network aimed at leaders of medium-sized businesses. "My approach to business," champions Karl George, "is about getting together and sharing experiences as well as learning from others."

Founding Kgiss

In 2006 the shrewd entrepreneur formed Karl George Integrated Success Systems (KgISS), a multi-disciplined business consultancy, which specialises in helping individuals and organisations deliver leadership principles. This new venture meant parting company with Andersons. "My real passion is organising and giving seminars," explains Karl George, "not just accounting issues but things like goal-setting and networking. I started a seminar series at Andersons but I wanted to take it further. The conference idea just kept growing. Right from the beginning my intention was to host an excellent event, getting up close and personal with peers and also hearing from some very successful businessmen and women."

Awards

If being judged by your peers is testament of a true champion, then surely the list of illustrious awards bestowed on Karl George marks him out as the authentic article. He is the recipient of the 2005 Star Award given in recognition of achievements and being an inspiration to others. In 2004 Karl George was presented with an MBE. He was Birmingham's Young Professional of the Year 2002, Carlton Television's Young Business Midlander 2002 and Black Business in Birmingham (3Bs) Achiever of the Year 1999.

As well as running, KgISS Karl George works as a consultant to Bloomer Heaven Chartered Accountants.He is also a visiting professor at the University of Central England and a practitioner of Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP).

His book - Most People Only Try I Make Sure - is aimed at people thinking of starting a business and those running small or medium sized enterprises and is highly recommended. In it he proffers seven simple, yet highly effective steps to help guarantee business success.

Karl George in the Community

Karl George is not just a city slicker that craves bright lights and fancy restaurants. He is a down-to-earth hard-working businessman who cares passionately about community affairs

Often Karl George employs his business skills to further the cause of young people and those in less fortunate positions than himself. A case in point is 100 Black Men, an organisation which started out in the United States of American to help to improve the quality of life and education of young black men. In 1997 he set up a Birmingham Chapter, the first International Chapter of the organisation after a chance meeting with a member of one of the American branches. "I got together about 20 people - well-known names in Birmingham - and asked them to pay a membership fee and give up their free time to help children in the city, particularly African-Caribbean boys, who come out of the educational system right at the very bottom," explains Karl George.

He says he was somewhat surprised at the positive response to the Birmingham initiative, which has even won accolades from America for its community work! "A lot of kids are from single parent homes without a male role model, which is where 100 steps in," he says. "We talk to teachers and parents but most of all we talk to children. That's where we have the biggest impact." Karl George says the main role of 100 Black Men is to continue to work to overcome the cultural and financial obstacles that limit the achievements of black males in Britain today.

Karl is also an active board member of the Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, one of the largest in the country and sits on several other boards including the government's appointed Fair Cities Initative.