Event MC, Moderator, Keynote Speaker for Technology, Future of Work, Social Mobility, Stand-up, Author, Podcast Host, Motivational and Resilience Speaker
Toni Kent is a professional speaker, compere, and writer. She combines over 25 years of IT sector experience with a natural flair for entertaining audiences. As a result, she offers honest and humorous insights into social mobility, working parenthood, and corporate life.
Toni focuses on keynote speaking, panel hosting, and MC duties across the technology, professional services, and education sectors. Thanks to her high-energy presence and relatable style—enhanced by her stand-up skills—she consistently delivers memorable experiences. In fact, she has worked with major clients such as Amazon Web Services, KPMG, Microsoft, PwC, and Enterprise Group. Furthermore, she has hosted events like the UK Social Mobility Awards (2021 and 2023), the PRIME Commitment 10th Anniversary Conference, and the Zen Partner Conference.
In addition to her live speaking roles, Toni is the author of four books. She regularly writes about social mobility and women in tech. Moreover, she is a podcast host, co-host, and in-demand guest speaker. Alongside this, she serves as a trusted ghostwriter for senior technology leaders, helping them craft a more humorous and human tone in their online and on-stage communication.
Technology Insider
Toni brings a deep understanding of the tech sector, gained over 25 years. Initially, she worked on early wireless networking infrastructure deals. Later, she managed several of the UK’s largest partner relationships at Microsoft, where she spent a decade. Consequently, she gained rare insight into the inner workings of one of the world’s largest corporations.
Following her time at Microsoft, Toni spent another 10 years supporting senior leaders at firms like IBM, TD Synnex, Brightcove, VMware, and Progress Software. Her work included ghostwriting thought-leadership articles and hosting partner conferences and sustainability-focused webinars. Therefore, she remains highly attuned to the commercial and cultural shifts shaping today’s fast-moving tech landscape.
Social Mobility Expertise
Toni’s lived experience adds depth and authenticity to her work. Born into a working-class family in Basingstoke, she was the eldest of four and grew up on a large council estate. She remembers clearly the effects of redundancy and right-to-buy in the 70s and 80s.
At just 14, Toni lost her father, and her family became reliant on state benefits. In the years that followed, she barely passed her GCSEs and twice acted as her mother’s birthing partner. Described by social services as living in a “chaotic and neglectful” environment, Toni nonetheless remained determined to build a better future.
Thanks to a second chance at education, exposure to strong female role models, and a successful career in IT, Toni now lives in what she refers to as a “middle-class bubble.” Today, she uses her sharp observational skills and comic timing to shine a light on both the challenges and opportunities in the drive toward greater social mobility. More importantly, she helps organizations engage in this essential conversation with insight, energy, and empathy.
