Diversity speaker, Shaparak Khorsandi, is an established comedian with multiple plaudits including:

• `Makes live comedy thrilling’ – The Evening Standard
• ‘Britain’s best young female comic by any yardstick’ – The Guardian
• ‘Shappi is an endearing presence and possesses a charming self-awareness that ensures consistent laughter from start to finish’ – Huffington Post

Theatre and Writing

She has had various sell-out Edinburgh shows including, Asylum Speaker. Despite the basis for the show being her experiences as a child refugee fleeing Iran and terrorists attempting to murder her father, Shaparak’s sensitive yet witty exploration of these events created an instant comedy smash hit. It also led to the publication of her childhood memoirs, A Beginner’s Guide To Acting English.  This was her best-selling literary debut, described by the Scotsman as ‘filled with laughter, wonder and compassion’. Emma Thompson said “This very funny, acute book also made me cry”. Shaparak went on to publish her first novel, Nina Is Not Ok, which was described by the Telegraph as ‘moving, funny and shocking’ and received tremendous acclaim from critics and readers alike.

She is also the author of Scatter Brain, which charts her journey to ADHD diagnosis and was published by Penguin in 2023.  The book was described by fellow comedian, Sara Pascoe as, “hilarious, unflinching, wise.” In addition, Shaparak has done features for several national publications and has a regular, weekly column in the Independent.

Television and Radio

Shaparak has appeared on countless TV & Radio shows, including: Live at the Apollo, Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow, I’m a Celebrity: Get Me Out of Here, Mock The Week, 8 Out Of 10 Cats, MasterChef, Have I Got News For You, QI, Pointless Celebrities, Question Time and Just a Minute, as well as her own show, Shaparak Talk. 

She has received an honorary doctorate from Winchester University for her contribution to the arts. Her mother was overjoyed, until she realised Shaparak can’t actually write prescriptions for her.  She has also received the prestigious James Joyce Award for outstanding success in her field from Dublin University.

Speaker and comedy host

Shapark is an advocate for human rights and as a keynote speaker and awards host, she deftly handle the most serious subjects with a sprinkling of humour.  This is a skill perfected in her early stand-up shows.  She draws on her past experiences as a female comic breaking into a male-dominated industry and a child refugee.   Shaparak is an extremely popular speaker on topics surrounding diversity, inclusion and mental health and neurodiversity. Her charmingly candid style combined with her sharp delivery ensure that whether speaking virtually or in-person, she always connects with an audience and is an excellent choice for a range of corporate events.

Feedback includes:

“Yes everything went really well and everyone loved her” Chartered Institute of Waste Management

“Shappi was perfect …Super easy to work with, and the attendees were really excited to see her.” Optimus Education

“Please can you pass on a BIG thank you to Shappi from us all! She was absolutely fantastic, our colleagues really enjoyed the event!” Managing Director of Corporate & Institutional Coverage, Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking

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