Ade Adepitan is a celebrated Paralympian, television presenter, and disability rights campaigner who has become one of the UK’s most inspiring speakers. With a compelling personal story, boundless energy, and razor-sharp insight, Ade delivers keynotes that captivate audiences across sectors—from business leaders and educational institutions to global conferences on diversity, resilience, and sustainability. He speaks with authenticity, warmth, and charisma, using his own journey to empower others to break through barriers, challenge assumptions, and lead with purpose.
Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Ade contracted polio at 15 months old, resulting in the loss of use of his legs. He moved to East London with his family as a young child, where he discovered sport as both a passion and a vehicle for transformation. At the age of 12, he took up wheelchair basketball, which would lead to a bronze medal at the 2004 Athens Paralympic Games and a gold medal at the 2005 Paralympic World Cup. Ade’s sporting success opened doors to media, where he became one of the UK’s first disabled television presenters, blazing a trail for visibility and inclusion.
In recent years, Ade has cemented his role as a leading voice on social and environmental issues. He has fronted acclaimed documentaries including ‘Africa with Ade Adepitan’ and ‘Climate Change: Ade on the Frontline’, which take viewers into the heart of communities impacted by global change. In 2024, he was appointed Chancellor of Birmingham City University, a recognition of his influence beyond sport and media. He is also the author of the popular ‘Cyborg Cat’ children’s book series, promoting diversity and empowerment through storytelling.
Audiences hire Ade for more than his accolades—they hire him because he brings unmatched authenticity, lived experience, and the ability to motivate people into action. Whether he’s discussing leadership, overcoming adversity, or creating inclusive environments, Ade connects deeply with audiences, leaving them energised, uplifted, and inspired to achieve more than they thought possible.
Ade Adepitan is regularly booked to engage audiences at events, read their latest feedback below:
“Ade was absolutely fantastic and really connected with the audience. He was completely as I expected him to be after reading some of the bios on him on the internet a really nice person and very down to earth with an interesting story to hear. The audience really enjoyed it, they had lots of questions to ask at the end and were still asking questions during the drinks reception after the talk which Ade seemed more than happy to respond to.”
“Ade was extremely amenable and relaxed – he gave us some fantastic quotes and a brilliant interview.”
“Funny, personal, raw and very emotional – there were a number of red eyes in the audience”
The High-Performance Speakers Agency is the UK’s leading bureau for teamwork, leadership, and marginal gains speakers. We hire speakers for corporate conferences and events across the world and cater to both in-person occasions and online webinars. Our roster includes sportspeople, business leaders, adventurers and more, to ensure audiences of all industries receive tailored, impactful advice on optimised performance.