John Leech
Strategic Advisor in Digital Growth, Marketing, and AI Adoption
A dynamic award winning speaker and strategic advisor helping businesses navigate marketing strategy and digital transformation with clarity and confidence.
Who is John Leech?
Strategic Advisor & Fractional CMO
John is a strategic advisor and fractional CMO who works with SMEs to unlock growth through smart marketing, AI adoption, and business transformation. Known for his practical, people-focused approach, John brings clarity to complex challenges, from Marketing Strategy and Sales Enablement to AI Readiness and Leadership Communication.
Experience That Delivers
With a background spanning Digital Marketing, eCommerce Delivery, and Technology Consulting, John brings a unique ability to turn complexity into clarity, helping leadership teams align strategy with action in today’s rapidly evolving business landscape.
Engaging Speaker & Workshop Leader
He is the creator of Voice Forward: Speak, Share Lead, a programme that builds confidence and presence for women in technology, and regularly leads talks and workshops on topics such as marketing strategy, digital leadership, and public speaking. John’s sessions are engaging, insightful, and grounded in real-world experience, leaving audiences with clear takeaways and the confidence to act.
Areas of Expertise
Digital Transformation
Guiding non-technical leaders through digital change with practical, jargon-free approaches that focus on business outcomes rather than technology for its own sake.
AI Strategy & Adoption
Helping businesses understand, evaluate and implement AI solutions that deliver real value, with a focus on practical applications that enhance human capabilities.
Marketing Leadership
Developing comprehensive marketing strategies that align with business goals, leveraging digital channels and data-driven insights to drive growth and customer engagement.
Speaking Topics
John delivers engaging, insightful presentations on topics relevant to today’s business leaders. His speaking style is clear, conversational, and grounded in real-world insight always aiming to leave audiences informed, empowered, and ready to act.
How to Survive and Thrive in the World of AI
A practical and inspiring session that demystifies AI, helping business leaders understand its impact, uncover real-world opportunities, and take confident first steps toward AI-powered transformation.
The Four Stages of AI Competence
A practical roadmap for how to move your organization from AI curiosity to confident, value-driven adoption with a clear framework for building capability and impact.
Communication Confidence for Professionals
Building effective communication skills for leadership, presentations, and high-stakes business interactions in both digital and in-person environments.
AI and its Imapct on Your Business
An insightful session where John shares how he has transformed his own workflows and business through AI — and what every leader should be doing now to stay relevant, efficient, and future-ready.
Who John Works With
John works primarily with SMEs across Ireland and beyond, delivering high-impact services such as Digital Sales and marketing Strategy, Fractional Leadership Roles , AI readiness planning and Adoption and transformation programmes for sales and customer service teams.
His practical, people-first approach has made him a trusted partner to both fast-growing startups and established firms seeking to modernise their operations and embrace digital innovation without losing their core identity.
On the personal side of things he is a past President of Drogheda Toastmasters and Toastmaster Area Director who really enjoys supporting and working with people to develop their public speaking, communication and leadership skills.
Voice Forward: Speak Share Lead.
John is the creator of Voice Forward: Speak Share Lead, a specialised public speaking designed specifically for women in technology roles.
This initiative addresses the unique challenges faced by women in technology environments and equips participants with practical communication tools, presentation skills, and confidence-building techniques that translate to real-world success.
Through Voice Forward: Speak Share Lead, John has helped talented professionals find their voice and advance their careers in traditionally male-dominated sectors.
Speaking Style & Approach
Clear, conversational, and grounded in real world insight from a varied career in Fortune 500 companies to local startups but always aiming to leave audiences informed, empowered, and ready to act.
What Sets John Apart
- Balances strategic vision with practical implementation steps
- Explains complex topics without unnecessary jargon
- Incorporates relevant case studies and real-world examples
- Adapts content to audience knowledge level and industry context
Presentation Formats
- Keynote addresses (30-60 minutes)
- Interactive workshops (2-4 hours)
- Panel discussions and moderating
- Executive briefings and boardroom sessions
- Virtual presentations and webinars
Leadership Conversations
Beyond traditional speaking engagements, John regularly hosts in-depth conversations with senior leaders on critical topics shaping the future of business:
AI and Human Leadership
Exploring how leaders can balance the power of AI with human judgment, creativity, and ethics — ensuring technology amplifies, not replaces, human potential.
Future of Work
Examining how changing technologies, expectations, and work models are reshaping employment and organizational structures.
Transformation Readiness
Unpacking what it really takes for organizations to adapt — aligning people, culture, and strategy to turn ambition into action.Testimonials
John has a remarkable ability to translate complex digital concepts into actionable business strategy. His workshop transformed how our executive team approaches digital initiatives, giving us both clarity and confidence.
Paul Fagan, CEO, Meridian Technologies
The practical frameworks John shared in his keynote were immediately applicable to our business. Six months later, we’re still referencing his ideas in our strategic discussions. A truly valuable perspective.
Mike Gaffney, Managing Director, LEAP
As a conference organiser, I can confidently say John is that rare speaker who delivers both strategic insight and practical takeaways. Our attendees rated his session among the highest for both content quality and presentation style.
Emma Wilson, Events Director, Chartered Accountants
Book John for Your Next Event
Whether you’re planning a corporate conference, leadership retreat, industry event, or executive workshop, John delivers valuable insights tailored to your audience’s specific needs and challenges. John is available for speaking engagements throughout Ireland, the UK, and Europe, as well as virtual events reaching global audiences.
