Francis Herd
Booking Process
- Submit an enquiry.
- A speaker advisor will contact you.
- Receive a formal proposal.
- Confirm your booking.
SPEAKER DETAILS
Helping leaders navigate crisis, communicate with confidence, and understand the business and political forces shaping the world around them.
Book Guest Speaker Francis Herd on 067 843 2362 or email directly to info@guestspeaker.co.za
Guest Speaker Francis Herd is a trusted broadcast journalist, business news anchor, facilitator, and crisis leadership speaker, recognised for her ability to engage audiences with clarity, insight, and authority. A familiar face on South African television, Francis has hosted prime-time news for both the SABC and eNCA and currently anchors and assists in directing Business News at eNCA.
Francis also co-hosts a daily podcast focused on making business news accessible, reflecting her passion for financial knowledge and her ability to translate complex economic and business developments into engaging, understandable conversations.
Francis began her journalism career while studying English and Politics at Wits, where she was appointed Editor-in-Chief of the student newspaper WitsStudent. She later joined 702 Talk Radio as a junior reporter, eventually becoming a news anchor and member of the station’s leadership team.
After a brief period in the corporate world, Francis moved into television, where she developed extensive experience covering breaking news, facilitating live debates, and conducting high-profile interviews. Her work at the intersection of business, politics, media, and leadership has given her a unique understanding of how organisations and executives respond when operating under intense public scrutiny.
Her interest in crisis leadership developed after interviewing leaders during major corporate crises. During her MBA at GIBS Business School, Francis researched the relationship between journalists and executives during times of crisis. This research became the foundation for her book, When Crisis Strikes, co-authored with former GIBS Dean Nicola Kleyn.
Today, Francis combines academic research with practical experience to help executives understand how to communicate effectively when the stakes are high. Her work focuses on preparing leaders to face public crises with greater confidence, clarity, and composure.
As a facilitator and conference MC, Francis brings together journalistic rigour, warmth, and professionalism. She is experienced in leading high-level discussions, interviewing guests, facilitating meaningful conversations, and ensuring that conferences and corporate events are engaging, relevant, and seamlessly executed.
Francis’s sessions are particularly well suited to:
- Corporate conferences and leadership events
- Business and financial forums
- Crisis leadership and communication programmes
- Executive and senior leadership teams
- Current affairs and political economy events
- Conference facilitation and high-level panel discussions
- Events requiring an experienced MC or moderator
- Organisations preparing leaders for public-facing crises
DOING BUSINESS IN A WORLD OF WICKED CRISES
It’s already a crisis-stricken world, and now ‘wicked’ crises present yet another dilemma for business leaders. Wicked crises are major societal problems that are hard to solve and are made worse by deep divisions among people. America’s 'culture wars' and Israel's war on Gaza may be happening far away. Still, South African companies, and even a local school, have realised that wicked crises are becoming everyone's problem. Illegal immigration, race, farm murders, BEE, even climate change and nuclear power all count.
Businesses are being pushed to take a stance on wicked problems, but they're damned if they do and damned if they don't.
Francis became interested in crisis management when she noticed that even good leaders could become tongue-tied and even dodgy when their companies are in crisis. Since then she’s written a research paper, co-authored a book and trained several executives in crisis leadership. She draws on her experience as a broadcast journalist and extensive crisis leadership research to explain what wicked crises are. She shows that, while they present new challenges, they are inspiring imaginative leadership.
Attendees will learn how to navigate wicked crises through the inspiration of a global CEO who faced a wicked crisis around LGBTQ rights and helped his giant company emerge stronger on the other side.
TESTIMONIALS
HAYLEY GETHING
Having dealt with Guest Speaker on a few occasions, your service is professional and outstanding. Your staff are friendly and very efficient. I would highly recommend Guest Speaker to anyone in need of this service. Regards.
Hayley Gething - Yokohama Southern Africa
LAWRENCE REITER
Guest Speaker - your service, advise, professional and friendly manner together with the exceptional presentations are superb. We will continue to always use and recommend you for speakers. Thanks so much!
Lawrence Reiter – SACRA
info@guestspeaker.co.za 067 843 2362
