Every event has an agenda.

A schedule of sessions.
A set of slides.
A room full of people hoping to learn something useful.

But the events we remember most rarely hinge on the agenda alone. They are the ones where a speaker steps forward and the room becomes quieter, people lean in and a story unfolds that feels both personal and universal, and when the session ends, the conversations begin.

At TheGivingMachine, we’ve seen firsthand how powerful that moment can be.

Our co-founder, Richard Morris FRSA CEng, has spent many years speaking at events across sectors - from business leadership to social impact and community innovation.

What consistently stands out is not simply the subject matter, but the connection that forms when lived experience is shared openly.

Richard’s journey spans engineering, entrepreneurship, and co-founding TheGivingMachine. When those experiences are shared in a room full of people, something interesting happens. Suddenly the story isn’t just about one person’s path, It becomes a lens through which others reflect on their own work, their own organisations, and the communities they serve.

That’s where the real value of a speaker lies - not in delivering information, but in unlocking perspective.

Many event organisers focus understandably on expertise and expertise certainly matters, but what often resonates most with audiences is authenticity.

Stories of challenges faced, moments where things didn’t go to plan or unexpected insights that changed direction.

These are the elements that create the emotional connection audiences remember.

When Richard shares the story behind TheGivingMachine, it’s rarely framed as a perfectly plotted success story. Instead, it’s about curiosity, persistence, and the belief that small actions, when multiplied by community, can create meaningful change.

And that narrative speaks directly to people working across charities, businesses, schools, and local organisations who are trying to do the same.

At TheGivingMachine, we believe storytelling plays an essential role in building stronger communities. That’s why we’re always encouraged to see organisations creating room in their programmes for speakers who can bring authentic insight and lived experience into the conversation.

When Richard was invited to be the keynote speaker at the Norfolk Funding the Future event, his answer was immediate. He welcomed the opportunity to connect with charities and community organisations across Norfolk, sharing insights from his experience and exploring practical ways they could access the funding they urgently need to support their work.

Voluntary Norfolk is a leading organisation dedicated to supporting the Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector in Norfolk. As the lead partner in the Empowering Communities Partnership, they play a crucial role in connecting organisations, facilitating networking opportunities, assisting with volunteer recruitment, and advocating for the sector. 

When preparing their "Funding the Future" event in January 2026, a critical component was securing a keynote speaker who could truly resonate with their audience and set an inspiring tone for the day.

Through a recommendation they connected with Richard. Recognising his expertise and ability to deliver impactful presentations, they invited him to be the keynote speaker for their event. Richard's reputation for being a well-prepared and thought-provoking speaker made him an ideal choice for their event.

Richard's keynote speech proved to be a resounding success. Voluntary Norfolk received overwhelmingly positive feedback from attendees, specifically highlighting the inspiring and thought-provoking nature of his presentation. His speech effectively set a positive and engaging tone for the entire event, leaving a lasting impression on the audience.

"The challenge for us at Empowering Communities was to find a keynote speaker for our Funding the Future event. We had a great first event back in January 2025 and wanted to have a speaker that had real impact once again.

We received positive feedback from our Funding the Future event in general and specifically Richard's key note speech which was a really inspiring and thought provoking start to the day and set the tone well."

Clare Clarke personally found the keynote speech deeply inspiring, underscoring the profound impact Richard had on both the event and individual attendees. Voluntary Norfolk enthusiastically recommends Richard to any organisation seeking a speaker who is not only well-prepared but also unafraid to communicate plainly and inspire their audience.