Gill Whitty-Collins

Gill Whitty-Collins is a leading female motivational speaker who brings clarity, warmth and practical intelligence to the conversation about gender equality. Her perspective is shaped by lived experience, senior leadership and a commitment to helping women understand their strength. People connect quickly with her because she speaks plainly, shares real moments from her career and shows how change begins with awareness. She grew up near Liverpool in a tight knit family, later studying Modern and Medieval Languages at Cambridge while raising her young son, an experience that honed her resilience and focus. That sense of determination stayed with her throughout her corporate journey and now fuels the energy she brings to the stage.

After graduating, Gill joined Procter and Gamble and began a 26 year career that saw her progress from a junior marketing role to Senior Vice President of Procter and Gamble Beauty. She led some of the world’s most recognisable brands, including Pantene, Olay, Always and Max Factor, and became known as a world class Brand Architect and Business Renovator. She rose through the organisation with speed, shaping strategy across Europe, India, the Middle East and Africa. Her turning point came in a senior boardroom where she realised how few women had reached that level. That moment made her see the invisible barriers that had been affecting women around her and it stayed with her long enough to change the direction of her work.

Gill left Procter and Gamble to build a portfolio career that continues to influence leaders globally. She is the author of ‘Why Men Win at Work’, a book that unpacks the subtle forces that push women out of leadership and offers clear, workable solutions. It became an important part of the international conversation on equality, followed by a revised edition and a French translation. Today she is the CEO and Founder of The Brand Execs, a trusted consultant, a NED, a qualified Strengths Coach and a speaker who has supported organisations such as Unilever, Microsoft, EY, Channel 4 and Deloitte. Her work has reached audiences across business, education and culture, often sparking conversations that continue long after the event ends.

As a speaker, Gill Whitty-Collins uses relatable stories, sharp concepts and grounded advice. Her style is open and energising. A popular example is her ‘umbrella’ metaphor, used to help people recognise how bias operates even in well meaning environments. Her sessions bring men and women into the same conversation, prompting self reflection and positive action. Gill shows people how awareness leads to influence, how influence becomes change and how every individual can help make the workplace fairer.