Alex Holmes OBE is a champion for young people and mental health. He notes studies showing the reality that 10-13-year-olds who have experienced bullying at school will suffer from worse mental health, poorer job prospects and lack the ability to trust other adults in their workplace as they get older.

Alex Holmes and the Anti-Bullying Ambassadors

In 2003 and at the age of 15 Alex founded the peer support programme ‘Anti-Bullying Ambassadors’, training young people with the skills needed to prevent peer-to-peer violence and bullying. Its success came from the fact it was young people speaking to young people, rather than a teacher or authority figure.

This programme is now in over 4,000 schools across the UK, Ireland, Greece and the United States. It is Alex’s belief that there should be a trained Anti-Bullying Ambassador in every school.

There are over 40,000 young people who have now been trained as Ambassadors with support and financial backing coming from Vodafone, Facebook, Instagram, Nationwide Building Society and the Department for Education.

Alex Holmes Recognition and Awards

For nearly 20 years Alex has been campaigning and making a difference in the lives of young people, and for this he has received a number of awards and accolades.

Alex received the Diana Award in 2004, an award given to young change-makers in honour of the memory of Princess Diana and given to Alex for his efforts to tackle bullying across the country.

Alex Holmes has also received the Forbes 30 Under 30 award and the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award. The Independent on Sunday named Alex on the Happy List as one of the ‘100 people who make Britain a happier place to live’. In 2017, Alex was made a a Queen’s Young Leader, which sees him extending his work to the commonwealth.

In 2023 Alex was invited to become a Director at BBC Children In Need working on their ‘We Move’ programme, empowering black led organisations and black children.

Alex Holmes | Campaigning and Advising

Alex has been campaigning since his teenage years. One of his proudest moments is his successful campaign to have the dictionary definition of the word ‘bullying’ changed. The old definition stated that bullying was  ‘happening to people that are weaker’. Working with young people and celebrities Will Poulter, Cel Spellman, Millie Bobby Brown and Richard Branson he campaigned for a change. Collins Dictionary was the first to change the definition, with others and Google following after.

In addition to his work as a Deputy CEO for charity The Diana Award, Alex Holmes also has an advisory role at the following global organisations:

– Spotify Safety Advisory Council Board Member
– Snap Safety Advisory Board Member
– Fair Play Alliance Advisor
– Barnardo’s Foundation Advisory Board Member
– TikTok’s European Safety Advisory Council
– Twitch Global Safety Advisory Council Member
– Yubo Safety Board Member
– Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Advisory Board Member

Below: Beat bullying; why young people hold the key at talk by Alex Holmes at TEDx Exeter

Why book Alex Holmes?

Alex is a trusted expert on all issues relating to bullying and the mental health of young people. His work has had a global impact and, as an advisor to large social media platforms, his contributions will touch the lives of millions of children worldwide. His passion for change and for helping young people shine through in all he does and he makes an impact on all those he works with.

Call +44 1753 439 289 or email Great British Speakers now to book the anti-bullying ambassador and speaker Alex Holmes OBE for your next live event.  Contact us.