Katie Neeves

Founder of Cool2BTrans and Award-Winning Photographer

  • Founded ‘Cool2BTrans’ in 2019
  • Established the Award-Winning Martin Neeves Photography & Film in 1996
  • Came Out as a Transgender Woman Aged 48

When Katie Neeves is booked for events, they are known to discuss the following speaking topics:

My Long Walk to Womanhood
What’s it Like to be Transgender & How Can I Support Those Who Are?
Positively Managing Change
Preventing Trans Discrimination at Work
Trans Awareness Training Sessions

Katie Neeves is an influential LGBT+ role model, who has used her platform as a transgender woman to inspire others to live authentically as themselves. As the founder of Cool2BTrans, Katie is not only empowering the community with her personal experiences but is educating a range of audiences on the importance of trans acceptance. As an accomplished speaker, Katie is known to cover the correct terminology to use, the right business inclusivity policies to have and how to safeguard the wellbeing of all LGBT+ employees.

Coming out publicly in 2018, Katie had lived for 48 years as a male but was plagued by gender dysphoria which became debilitating in her adult life. Driven to tell her truth, Katie announced her intentions to transition from male to female to all her family, friends, and business clients. Determined to use her experience as a catalyst for change, Katie founded Cool2BTrans in 2019 to support others in the trans community and prove to the public that trans people should be accepted the same as everyone else.

Despite being labelled male at birth; Katie knew as early as three years old that she did not identify with the gender she was born as. Struggling throughout her life with gender dysphoria, Katie battled her demons behind closed doors, and in public, she was an award-winning photographer. Having established her business under her birth name Martin Neeves Photography & Film, Katie has continued to work professionally under this title, with great acceptance, and even received two commissions to photograph The Queen.

Currently, Katie remains a prominent expert on trans issues in the media, often featured by ITV and the BBC. At events, Katie discusses her journey with humour and honesty, allowing an open platform for discussion and offering actionable strategies to reduce LGBT+ discrimination in the workplace. Able to offer both engaging keynote talks and educational Trans Awareness Training sessions, corporate audiences of all sizes can benefit from the impact of Katie’s insights as she uses her personal journey to reduce discrimination in the workplace and create inclusive environments.

Official Testimonials

Katie Neeves is regularly booked to engage audiences at events, read their latest feedback below:

“Katie has been a joy to work with for our session at Aviva. Katie talked to us about her own transition along with tips on good allyship. The session was really well received and we had lots of good questions and feedback. Katie’s sessions are filled with lovely humour making the audience feel at ease. I would love Aviva to work with Katie again and I can’t recommend her sessions highly enough. Thanks again Katie”

Joanne, Aviva

“Katie attended our International Women’s Day panel at Virgin Media yesterday and what an honour that was. An inspirational speaker with a fantastic sense of humour that really shone through. Katie has been incredibly engaged throughout all the planning and a real joy to partner with on our IWD plans. In a very short time I’ve already learnt a huge amount from Katie and I’d really encourage others to take the opportunity with Katie to learn and grow.”

Danielle Peel, Project Delivery Lead at Virgin Media

“I had the pleasure of working with Katie on an online Pride event.  She’s one of the most articulate and entertaining people I have seen in this format. Good humoured, well educated and a consummate professional. I would happily work with Katie again and sincerely hope we will. She’s very talented and I could see her presenting a talk show on a major TV channel.”

Natalie, Rhondda Pride

“We booked Katie to run two Trans Day of Visibility workshops for Virgin Media belonging networks. She was engaging, hilarious and amazing. Every bit of feedback we received from those who attended was beyond positive. I personally have never laughed and learnt so much in one hour!”

Chloe, Mobile Trading & Online Sales Graduate, Virgin Media

“Overwhelming feedback highlighted how valuable it was to hear a first-hand experience of someone navigating gender and having Katie speak in a way that was so open, emotive, educational and also humorous helped everyone better understand the importance of trans awareness and the gender spectrum. In particular, many were grateful to learn more about what gender dysphoria is, and how both sex and gender go beyond the binary as a means of then better understanding the trans experience and the issues the community face. Overall, everyone found the talk very inspiring and incredibly educational – thank you Katie for your time!”

Josh, Account Executive, WE Communications

“The event was a success. Katie was a true inspiration to all who attended the event. I have had so many positive comments even from upper management! I hope to have Katie back again for other events. She truly is an inspiration!”

Bob Eastman

To enquire about Katie Neeves for your event or corporate function, simply contact us via agent@lgbt-speakers.com or call a booking agent on 0203 9816 295.