Paul McGee

Empowering Change, Building Resilience, Inspiring Results

  • Leading authority on change, resilience, leadership, and wellbeing, with over 30 years of experience
  • Bestselling author of the SUMO (Shut Up, Move On) series, translated into more than 20 languages
  • Visiting Professor at the University of Chester and trusted advisor to global brands including Harrods, Adidas, Virgin, and Manchester City FC
  • Renowned keynote speaker, delivering tailored sessions for over 1,000 organisations across five continents
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Paul McGee: The SUMO Guy

Paul McGee is one of Europe’s most sought‑after speakers on change, resilience, leadership and wellbeing. A former behavioural psychologist, he brings a rich 30+‑year career to his highly practical, engaging and humorous keynotes. Paul has delivered impactful messages to audiences across 40+ countries and over 1,000 organisations, consistently raising performance and wellbeing globally.

A Visiting Professor at the University of Chester (appointed 2019), Paul has inspired more than 1,000 organisations across five continents—including international conferences and elite sports teams. His SUMO (Shut Up, Move On) philosophy, a Sunday Times bestseller, has helped many individuals and teams to overcome challenges, embrace change, and achieve lasting results. His book Self Confidence topped the WHSmith Business Book chart for 24 weeks, and his works have been translated into over 20 languages.

Paul’s client list includes major names such as Harrods, Adidas, Virgin, GSK, Lloyds Bank, the NHS, and Manchester City FC. Known for his meticulous preparation, he crafts each keynote and workshop around the specific objectives of the client. His sessions consistently inspire and entertain while equipping audiences with practical, applied strategies for both personal and professional growth.

Paul’s impact is widely recognised, with public endorsements from Sir Clive Woodward—Elite Performance Director of the British Olympic Association—and broadcaster Chris Evans, who described his work as “a gift to the world.” Whether delivering a 30‑minute keynote or a full‑day workshop, Paul guarantees a memorable experience that leaves audiences empowered and ready to thrive in the face of change.

Why Book Paul McGee?

  • Customises every keynote and workshop to meet the specific goals of your audience
  • Blends psychological expertise with practical, real-world strategies that stick
  • Delivers with humour, warmth, and energy—ensuring engagement from start to finish
  • Trusted by global brands like Harrods, GSK, Virgin, Adidas, the NHS, and Manchester City FC
  • Leaves audiences inspired, equipped, and ready to drive meaningful change

Talks

Unlock Your Resilience and Boost Your Wellbeing
Leading for High Performance

How to maximise the potential of people when the pressure is on

How to Survive and Thrive in Changing Times
Stand Out Communication for Leaders

How to engage, influence and positively impact the people you work with

Who Cares Wins

How to win customers and keep them for life

The SUMO Presentation Masterclass

How to get people to sit up and listen when you stand up to speak

The Confident Mindset Masterclass

Managing your mind to achieve high performance

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Videos

Testimonials

In our twenty years of running conferences, Paul McGee is the only speaker we have ever invited back. That above all explains the benefit we feel we have gained from hearing Paul’s SUMO philosophy.
Founders of SpecSavers
I've absolutely no doubt that your SUMO approach can help build resilience and enhance the quality of people's lives, in both medical and educational settings. The clarity and simplicity of your explanations are accessible to everyone and I know many patients who would benefit from this approach.
Dr. Phil Hammond
GP, Journalist & Broadcaster
Your insights and support to both players and staff have been invaluable.
Haydn Roberts
Head of Player Care & Support, Manchester City FC
I saw Paul present at an international conference. He uniquely addresses one of the biggest barriers to personal and business development… our own minds. The SUMO philosophy was a unanimous hit. Very, very powerful stuff!
Simon Newton-Smith
General Manager, Virgin Atlantic – South Africa
I was totally transfixed, inspired and motivated to make a difference, both in my work life and my personal life, from hearing you speak. Your talk (and book which I bought) has made such a difference to me and via me to the team. The end result is that we are moving forward, at pace, using the SUMO principles. I started my new role riddled with self-doubt and the inner critic was giving me a headache. Yesterday, I was pulled aside by my new line manager and commended for the work I am doing and the team I am creating. Much of this has been built on your foundations. So thank you.
Richard James
Deputy Head of Region, Lloyds Pharmacy
Paul's full day SUMO workshop was superb. We are a small to medium sized company, embarking on a period of dramatic transformation, with an unsettled workforce riddled with anxiety. Paul's Mancunian humour/ no bull style really struck a chord. This was the third time I've seen Paul present, and I have always been very impressed - the messages are relevant, visual, insightful and exceptionally well delivered.
Nick Welch LLB(Hons) MCIPS
Head of Site - Capenhurst, Sellafield Limited
Vero has seen significant international growth and we wanted people to embrace change and strive for new opportunities. Paul understood the brief perfectly and crafted a wonderful, entertaining presentation. With over 32 countries represented, Paul used intelligent cultural references and delivered something for everyone. The SUMO Guy will never be forgotten - a great job.
Marc Freebrey
Group Marketing Director, Vero Software
Just wanted to say how thrilled I was with your session last week; the feedback has been incredible. It will be of huge value across the organisation and already people are talking of a follow-up event!
Lee Campbell MSc, BSc (Hons)
Sales Force Effectiveness Manager UK & Ireland, Actelion Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd
Paul delivered four excellent sessions at our Headteacher Leadership and Well-Being Conference and all were greatly appreciated by the delegates. He used humour and story-telling to great effect as he unpacked his SUMO techniques to raise our self-awareness and enhance our personal well-being and effectiveness as leaders.
Dean Royles
Director of Human Resources and Organisational Development, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
As a school that was identified as 'Requiring Improvement' in May 2014, there were many changes we needed to make. Although children were supported well to develop their social and emotional awareness, the resources for staff were a little tired and repetitive. The SUMO resource pack really helped to generate new ideas and enthusiasm for this vital aspect of education. The resulting school PHSCE curriculum map interlinks SUMO resources with a range of other resources. The quality of our curriculum received particular praise in our most recent inspection and I have no doubt that the SUMO resources contributed to this extremely positive outcome.
Jo Campbell
Executive Headteacher, Shaw Wood Academy
Paul McGee's SUMO presentation was both highly entertaining and educationally challenging to forward thinking schools. Leaders from all phases of the education world who attended were fulsome in their praise of this conference. The strong links to important areas of school life were evident throughout the day and colleagues were determined to act upon the key messages that were skilfully shared.
John Killeen
Executive Member & Primary Headteacher, NAHT
I would have no hesitation in recommending Paul McGee and his SUMO philosophy to any organization who wants to engage a large number of staff in a way that provides excellent value for money compared to more conventional ways of training. The overwhelming feedback has been that the sessions were inspiring, thought provoking, humourous but above all practical in helping my staff make a positive difference.
Julie Spence
Former Chief Constable, Cambridgeshire Police
Paul, I just attended our staff conference in Blackpool and heard you speak. My predetermined judgement was that this will be a waste of time, but how wrong could I be! I am inspired... what can I say? For a Manc you are not half bad and talk a lot of sense, and that is high praise from a Scouser! Thank you!
Lynn Robinson
Blackpool Council
Wow! Thank you for delivering an inspirational workshop. You did a fantastic job keeping the packed room entertained throughout and left us with powerful messages and tools. There is such a buzz generated around the place and even our best critics have had positive things to say.
Fiona Lloyd
Events & PR Coordinator, Northampton Partnership Homes
May I on behalf of everyone at Manchester United who attended your session thank you for a great presentation. The feedback has been excellent and all very positive and I know the ideas within your SUMO message are greatly appreciated.
Kenneth Merrett
Former Club Secretary, Manchester United FC

Books

The Happiness Revolution: A Manifesto for Living Your Best Life
A new book by two of the biggest powerhouses in positive psychology and personal development – Dr Andy Cope and Professor Paul …
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Yesss!: The SUMO Secrets to Being a Positive, Confident Teenager
Discover how to make the most of being You! YESSS! The SUMO Secrets to Being a Positive, Confident Teenager uncovers the secre…
Self-Confidence: The Remarkable Truth of How a Small Change Can Boost Your Resilience and Increase Your Success
Confidence is profoundly important to virtually every aspect of our lives – it's the main ingredient for handling anything thro…
How to Have a Great Life: 35 Surprisingly Simple Ways to Success, Fulfillment and Happiness
35 ways to success, fulfillment, and happiness. How to Have a Great Life starts with you–your strengths and amazing potential …
How to Speak So People Really Listen: The Straight-Talking Guide to Communicating with Influence and Impact
13 things you'll discover when reading this book… 1. The big lesson Steve Jobs learnt when an advertising exec threw somethi…
S.U.M.O (Shut Up, Move On): The Straight-Talking Guide to Succeeding in Life -- THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER
Celebrating 10 Years of Shut Up, Move On! Paul McGee's international bestselling personal development heavyweight S.U.M.O. has…
How to Succeed with People: Remarkably easy ways to engage, influence and motivate almost anyone
Learn to be a people person with international bestselling author Paul McGee! Let's face it, if you want any sort of success in …
How Not To Worry: The Remarkable Truth of How a Small Change Can Help You Stress Less and Enjoy Life More
Are You A Worrier? Do you seem to worry more than most? Do you find that insignificant things stress you out? Do you sweat the…