GREGORY MARK HAYNES
Author | Storyteller | Speaker
Gregory Mark Haynes is an author and speaker whose talks draw on a life lived across three continents and more than six decades. But they are not simply autobiographical. Each story opens up a wider conversation about the choices we make, the changes we encounter and the things we learn along the way.
From Australia and South Africa to the United Kingdom, his experiences have included career changes, adventure, travel, unexpected challenges and the continual process of finding new directions in life.
His speaking style is conversational, engaging and grounded in real experience, with plenty of stories along the way.
Speaker Information
From Life to Page to Stage
Many of the stories Greg tells began life as memories.
They eventually became Memories Are Made of This, a collection of 51 true stories spanning Australia, South Africa and Britain.
On stage, those stories become something slightly different: a way of exploring change, curiosity, resilience, creativity, purpose and the unexpected turns that make up a life.
Bring Greg's Stories to Your Audience
Whether you're organising a literary event, community gathering, conference, workplace event or private occasion, Greg can tailor his talk around your audience and the time available.
Have an event in mind? Tell Greg a little about it.
A Speaker with a Story to Tell
Gregory Mark Haynes has spent much of his life moving between countries, careers and different stages of life.
Born in Australia, he later lived in South Africa before moving to England. Along the way, he has worked across business, technology, environmental sustainability, project management and other fields, while continuing to pursue his interests in writing, adventure and learning.
His memoir, Memories Are Made of This, brings together 51 true stories from those experiences.
His talks take some of those experiences beyond the page, using real events to explore themes that are relevant to people at almost any stage of life.
Speaking Topics
I speak on a range of subjects drawn from my experiences, my writing and the themes I have explored throughout my life. Some of my talks focus on a particular subject, while others bring several themes together. Here I focus on the presentational and ideas-driven form of writing based on themes I write about. My talks begin with the real experiences behind my books — from growing up in Australia and spending 28 years in South Africa to eventually building a life in Britain."
Ten Speaking Topics and Descriptions
1. Finding Purpose at Any Stage of Life
Purpose is not something that has to be discovered early in life. Drawing on personal experience, Greg explores how interests, experiences and unexpected opportunities can help us find new direction at any age.
2. Reinvention and Navigating Major Life Transitions
Life rarely follows the plan we make for it. This talk explores how to approach major changes, adapt to new circumstances and recognise opportunities when one chapter of life comes to an end.
3. Stories from Three Continents
From Australia to South Africa and the United Kingdom, Greg draws on more than six decades of experiences across three continents. The stories offer an entertaining look at different places, people, cultures and the unexpected moments that shape a life.
4. Building Resilience Through Adversity
Resilience is often developed through experience rather than taught in a classroom. Greg shares stories of challenges, setbacks and difficult periods, exploring how persistence, adaptability and perspective can help us keep moving forward.
5. Learning from the Unexpected
Some of life’s most useful lessons arrive when we are not expecting them. Through personal stories and experiences, Greg explores how unexpected events, encounters and setbacks can change our thinking and teach us something valuable.
6. The Value of Curiosity
Curiosity keeps us asking questions, exploring possibilities and looking beyond what we already know. Greg explores how a curious mind can open doors to new experiences, ideas and opportunities.
7. Personal Growth Through Curiosity and Continuous Learning
Learning does not have to stop when formal education ends. Greg explores how remaining curious, acquiring new skills and being willing to change our thinking can contribute to personal growth throughout life.
8. Creativity, Music and Expression in Everyday Life
Creativity is not limited to artists or musicians. Drawing on his experiences with music, writing and creative projects, Greg explores how creative expression can enrich everyday life and give us another way to understand ourselves and the world around us.
9. The Power of Community, Compassion and Human Connection
Much of what matters in life comes through our relationships with other people. This talk explores the importance of community, kindness and human connection, and how seemingly small interactions can have a lasting impact.
10. Leadership Through Authenticity and Humility
Leadership is not simply about having authority or being the person at the front of the room. Drawing on professional and personal experience, Greg explores how authenticity, listening, sound judgement and humility can build trust and influence others.
What Can Audiences Expect?
Greg’s talks are built around stories rather than lectures.
Audiences can expect:
Real experiences rather than manufactured anecdotes
A conversational and accessible speaking style
Stories spanning Australia, South Africa and the UK
Humour without turning the talk into a comedy routine
Reflections on change, resilience, curiosity and opportunity
Ideas that can be taken away and applied to everyday life
An opportunity for questions and discussion
The aim is simple: tell a good story, make people think, and hopefully give them something worth remembering.
Who are the talks for?
Greg’s talks can work particularly well for:
COMMUNITY GROUPS
Local organisations, community associations and interest groups looking for an engaging speaker with a real story to tell.
BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL AUDIENCES
Organisations interested in themes such as change, leadership, career transitions, decision-making, resilience and personal development.
EDUCATIONAL & LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS
Audiences interested in curiosity, lifelong learning, different cultures, careers and the experiences that shape us.
AUTHOR & LITERARY EVENTS
Book clubs, literary groups, libraries and events interested in memoir, storytelling and the experiences behind a published book.
Speaking Formats
Greg is available for a range of speaking engagements, including:
KEYNOTE TALKS
A structured presentation built around a particular theme, with stories, observations and practical takeaways.
Typical duration: 30–60 minutes
Q&A AND DISCUSSION
Greg can also participate in audience questions, panel discussions or informal conversations following a talk.
Duration: Flexible
AUTHOR TALKS
An introduction to Greg's writing and the stories behind Memories Are Made of This, including the experiences that inspired the book.
Typical duration: 30–60 minutes
ONLINE SPEAKING
Talks and conversations can also be delivered online, making them suitable for organisations and audiences beyond the local area.
INTERVIEWS & CONVERSATIONS
A more informal format in which Greg can be interviewed about his life, writing, experiences and the themes explored in his books.
Typical duration: 30–60 minutes
TAILORED TALKS
Not every audience is looking for exactly the same thing.
Where appropriate, I can adapt the emphasis, stories and discussion around a particular audience, organisation or event theme.
I can also develop talks around a mixture of subjects explored through my writing and blog. These can be combined with my main speaking themes or shaped around the interests of a particular audience, organisation or event.
My writing covers subjects including history, music, the environment, technology, travel, wildlife, culture, personal experience, leadership, project management, sustainability and life lessons, among others.
If you have a particular subject in mind, it is worth asking. The starting point does not have to be one of the talks listed on this page.
SPEAKING FEES
Speaking fees are discussed on an individual basis and depend on the type of event, audience, location, format and available budget.
When making an enquiry, please let me know the budget you have available for the speaking engagement. This allows me to understand your requirements and provide an appropriate quotation.
For in-person events, reasonable travel expenses will normally be discussed separately. Online presentations do not incur travel expenses.
Practical Information
Location
Based in England and available for speaking engagements in the UK or internationally, subject to availability.
Format
In-person or online.
Duration
Talks can generally be adapted to suit the event, with typical presentations lasting between 30 and 60 minutes.
Audience
Talks can be adapted for different group sizes and settings.
Q&A
Questions and discussion can be included as part of a presentation or arranged separately.
Requirements
Specific technical or presentation requirements can be discussed when an event is arranged.
Book Greg as a Speaker
Have an event, organisation or audience in mind?
Tell me a little about your event, your audience and what you are looking for. If one of the existing speaking topics fits, we can start there. If you have something different in mind, that's fine too.
I'd be pleased to hear from you.
Sometimes the best stories are the ones that actually happened.
