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Ben McBean is a former Royal Marine, double amputee and one of the UK’s most inspiring advocates for diversity and inclusion. After losing an arm and a leg to an IED explosion while serving in Afghanistan, he refused to be defined by his injuries. Instead, he rebuilt his life and career, turning his experience into a platform for challenging stereotypes and opening conversations about disability, resilience and inclusion.
Just months after sustaining life-changing injuries, Ben completed the London Marathon twice, capturing national attention and proving that disability does not diminish ambition. His achievements highlighted the importance of perseverance and adaptability, earning him praise from across the country, including recognition from Prince Harry. For Ben, these milestones were never about seeking admiration but about showing what is possible when barriers are broken down and opportunities are made accessible to all.
As a speaker, Ben brings together his military background, his personal journey of recovery and his passion for creating inclusive environments. He speaks candidly about the realities of disability, from navigating inaccessible systems to confronting unconscious bias, while also celebrating the opportunities that come with greater awareness and change. His talks are thought-provoking, humorous and practical, giving audiences both the inspiration and the tools to rethink how they approach diversity in their own workplaces and communities.
Beyond storytelling, Ben has collaborated with charities, schools and leading organisations to drive awareness campaigns and influence inclusive strategies. His message is universal: diversity is not just a corporate initiative but a way of valuing people as they are and giving them the space to succeed. Whether discussing disability, mental health or resilience, Ben motivates audiences to see inclusion as everyone’s responsibility. His authenticity and optimism make him a powerful speaker who leaves audiences determined to make meaningful change.
“I just wanted to say thank you for recommending Ben. He was amazing and his story had such an impact on the audience. He was an absolute pleasure to deal with and his presentation had just the right mix warmth, humour, inspiration and motivation. An attendee called me this morning to say she used to moan to her husband about how hard it is caring for their adult son who has schizophrenia and how they never get to go away on their own. She said after listening to Ben, she has absolutely nothing to moan about ever again. So his impact is already being felt! Just one problem – how am I going to match this for next year’s event?”
“I wanted to write to thank you for your presentation at our Lloyds SME National Conference. We truly are committed to fostering a culture of positive mindsets, particularly when faced with challenges and adversity, and I am certain that your extraordinary story will have motivated people to continue on this journey. Personally, I have heard you share your story several times and I would listen to you again tomorrow; every time I hear it I am absorbed, humbled and inspired.”
“Ben McBean was an amazing speaker. Truly inspirational, humble, funny, sad and Ben is clearly such a wonderful human being. Everyone’s feedback was excellent and a he received a standing ovation at the end. I would recommend Ben as very suitable to most audiences.”
The Diversity and Inclusion Speakers Agency has been one of the UK’s leading bureaus for inspirational figures of different races, genders, sexualities and abilities since 2020. We supply speakers for corporate and public events across the world, and cater to both in-person occasions and online webinars. Our roster includes athletes, psychologists, celebrities and more, to ensure that audiences of all industries receive tailored, impactful advice on diversity and inclusion.
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