Austin Walters
Business Speaker

Business Speaker | Insolvency, Turnaround, AI & Real-World Entrepreneurship

I deliver practical, honest talks for business owners and leadership teams, grounded in 32 years of real experience in the real world of business.

No jargon. No buzzwords. Just useful insight you can actually apply.

Book Me to Speak Read My Story

I’m a business speaker based in Wales, working with audiences across the UK on topics including insolvency, business rescue, AI in business, mental health in business, and the realities of entrepreneurship.

Online Delivery

Seamless remote presentations. I can provide a technical co-host to manage participants and the platform, letting me focus 100% on the content. I regularly deliver sessions for government-funded programmes and private organisations.

In-Person

My favourite format. Engaging, practical workshops and talks. I thrive on the energy of a live room and ensure every attendee leaves with clear, actionable takeaways.

Expert Topics

Vibe Coding: Building Tools for Your Business Using AI (Without Being a Developer)

Most business owners feel trapped by tech; either they pay a developer, or they go without. This talk shows a third path. I share how non-technical founders can use AI to design simple, powerful tools that solve real-world problems inside their businesses. No jargon. No hype. Just practical ways to remove friction, save time, and get control back.

Ideal for: SMEs, founders, consultants, and operations teams.

Outcomes: Clarity on what can be built, what shouldn’t be built, and how to start small without wasting time or money.

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Insolvency & Liquidation: The Reality, Not the Headlines

When a business is under pressure, emotion and fear often take over. This session demystifies insolvency and business rescue (including the options, the process, the timing, and the consequences) so directors can make decisions from a place of calm, informed judgment.

Ideal for: Business owners, boards, advisors, accountants.

Outcomes: A clear understanding of duties, risks, mistakes to avoid, and routes forward — rescue or exit.

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Using AI in Business: Practical, Safe, and Realistic

AI isn’t magic. But used well, it removes admin, improves thinking speed, and strengthens decision-making. This talk strips away the buzzwords and focuses on how real businesses can use AI right now, ethically, safely, and profitably.

Ideal for: SMEs, leadership teams, professional services.

Outcomes: A grounded framework for using AI sensibly, without chasing trends or building dependency on hype tools.

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Mental Health in Business: The Pressure No One Talks About

Running a business can be lonely. The responsibility, the risk, the uncertainty; they take a toll. This is an honest, stigma-free discussion about stress, burnout, shame, financial anxiety, and identity. I talk openly about what I’ve seen, what I’ve experienced, and what actually helps.

Ideal for: Owners, leaders, self-employed professionals.

Outcomes: Normalisation, perspective, and practical support strategies for people carrying the weight of a business on their shoulders.

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Target Market Identification: Stop Selling to Everyone

Most businesses don’t fail because their product is bad; they fail because the audience is wrong. This workshop-style session helps organisations truly understand who their real buyer is, why they buy, and how to align their message accordingly.

Ideal for: SMEs, startups, marketing teams.

Outcomes: A clearer offer, stronger messaging, and less wasted effort.

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The Reality of Entrepreneurship: 32 Years at the Sharp End

No hustle culture. No “10X”. No polished success stories. Just the truth about building, acquiring, rescuing, exiting, and sometimes closing businesses. I share the lessons, scars, decisions, and reflections that most founders only learn the hard way.

Ideal for: Founders, leaders, incubators, accelerator programmes.

Outcomes: Perspective. Resilience. Better decision-making. Fewer illusions.

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Professional Representation & Executive Presenting

Alongside my own speaking topics, I also work with organisations who need a trusted, capable presenter to deliver their message with clarity and confidence.

Some companies have a strong product or programme but don’t always have the time, confidence, or internal resource to present it. That’s where I step in. I take the time to fully understand your business, your audience, and the purpose of the presentation, then deliver it on your behalf as a professional representative of your brand.

This can include:

  • Delivering presentations or keynote talks
  • Running workshops or training sessions
  • Pitching to investors, partners, or clients
  • Hosting or facilitating business events

I only accept assignments where I am fully briefed and confident I can represent the organisation with accuracy, integrity, and professionalism. My role is to communicate clearly, keep the audience engaged, and ensure your message lands in the right way.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do you speak?

Mainly across Wales and the rest of the UK, both online and in person.

Who do you usually speak to?

Business owners, leadership teams, advisors, and government-funded business support programmes.

Can you tailor a session to our audience?

Yes. I regularly customise talks and workshops to align with sector, audience and event objectives.

About Me

For more than 30 years, I’ve worked in the real world of business: starting companies, acquiring them, turning around distressed ones, and helping directors make difficult decisions with clarity and control.

Today, I spend most of my time in Insolvency and Business Rescue, supporting business owners who feel trapped, overwhelmed, or out of options. Alongside that, I speak to audiences about resilience, risk, failure, recovery, and the reality of running a business in tough times.

My experience spans the Care sector, Tech, and Hospitality. Some ventures worked. Some didn’t. The lessons from both are what I share openly, practically, and without the usual “guru gloss.”

When I speak, I keep things simple, grounded, and useful. No endless slide decks. No buzzwords. Just straight-talking insight from someone who has been in the room when the decisions really mattered.

Life Beyond Business

A few years ago, I made a conscious decision to put family first. That shift changed how I work and how I live, and it keeps me grounded in what really matters.

Outside of business, I’m heavily involved in grassroots football with Llantwit Major Town Football Club, where I coach and still play Over-35s football. I follow Manchester United and Cardiff City, enjoy darts, and keep an eye on Formula 1.

I speak to business owners, leadership teams and advisors about resilience, decision-making, failure, recovery, and the practical use of AI in real-world businesses.

Get in Touch

The best way to contact me is:

Email aw@austinwalters.co.uk
WhatsApp 07849 642481