Social Bite co-founder signs up to be motivational speaker

Social Bite co-founder and former director Alice Thompson has signed up to be a motivational speaker, discussing her career highs and lows to help inspire others.

During her career with Social Bite, Thompson spoke at more than 100 business events throughout the UK. Picture: contributed.

Ms Thompson, who left the homelessness-focused organisation earlier this month, has joined Edinburgh-based motivational speaker agency Speaker Buzz to "help inspire organisations and individuals to make meaningful and lasting change”.

She joins a roster that includes TV personality and mental health campaigner Gail Porter, and world-renowned athlete and Nike brand ambassador Manal Rostom.

Ms Thompson began her career in business aged 19, dropping out of university, and went on to co-found Social Bite with Josh Littlejohn in 2012. This saw her manage a team of more than 100 and helped grow the social enterprise, which has attracted A-list visitors including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, George Clooney and Leonardo DiCaprio.

Social Bite has attracted A-list visitors including The Duchess of Cambridge. Picture: contributed.

It aims to end homelessness in Scotland, having helped create new housing policies in partnership with the Scottish Government and funding such work to the tune of £4 million. During her career with Social Bite, Ms Thompson spoke at more than 100 business events throughout the UK.

Speaker Buzz says its represents speakers who focus on topical issues such as mental health, wellbeing, resilience, diversity and the environment. Ms Thompson will discuss co-founding Social Bite and tackling homelessness to help inspire others.

She said it was “time for a new challenge,” adding: “I’ll be sharing everything I’ve learned along the way, from the highs and the lows, to help inspire others to achieve their goals and make a difference.”

Debbie Byers, founder of Speaker Buzz, said: “So many organisations will gain from [Ms Thompson’s] insights and knowledge of the purposeful business she co-created and the positive impact Social Bite generated around the world to address the issues around homelessness.”

Ms Thompson’s other achievements include becoming a member of the First Minister’s National Advisory Council on Women and Girls, and being awarded the Livingstone Medal from the Royal Scottish Geographical Society, also held by the likes of Sir David Attenborough.

The Social Bite co-founder has also set up her own consultancy offering advice to start-ups and people in business with strong ethics, and is offering her services, for free for a minimum of two years, to an entrepreneur or team with a business idea that actively tackles climate change.

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