2025 Most Booked Speakers & 2026 Outlook
As you reflect on your events, we wanted to share a brief overview of the speakers who played a leading role in events across 2025. Below is a brief overview of the speakers who kept us the busiest this year.
The roster is organised by thematic area and includes a concise descriptor for each speaker; following the list you will find an analysis of the trends their popularity reflects, projections for 2026, and practical recommendations for clients and bookers — including consideration of issues such as tariffs and broader trade policy that are increasingly shaping discussions.
Geopolitics & Global Affairs
A clear-eyed historian and commentator on authoritarianism, democracy and the politics of truth.
Distinguished foreign-affairs columnist who explains geopolitics with clarity and nuance.
Provocative realist on great-power politics, war and international power dynamics.
Experienced corporate strategist who translates emerging geopolitical issues into actionable geo-strategies for the C-Suite.
Polymath on leadership, governance and humane approaches to geopolitics and development.
Philosopher and ethicist on privacy, AI and the power of digital systems; compelling on responsible tech, data governance and societal impact.
Economics, Markets & Public Policy
Senior statesman on fiscal policy, economic leadership and government strategy.
Authoritative, big-picture economist on global markets and policy trade-offs.
Straight-talking financial journalist on investing, personal finance and markets.
Economist focused on productivity, inclusive growth and business purpose.
Renowned central-bank economist on monetary policy, inflation and global macro stability.
Economist and investor known for long-view thinking on growth, industrial strategy and emerging markets.
Security, Defence & Intelligence
Credible, forthright voice on defence, military strategy and national resilience.
Senior intelligence and cyber leader on national security in the digital age.
Naval and strategic thinker on alliance defence, maritime security and NATO’s role.
Security analyst specialising in regional conflict, defence policy and military strategy.
Sustainability, Climate & Systems
Practical systems thinker on carbon literacy, food systems and implementing sustainability.
Pragmatic green policymaker focused on energy transition and industrial transformation.
Innovator at the intersection of environment, space and emerging technology governance.
Technology, Automation & The Future of Work
Futurist on the future of work, property and how cities are being reshaped by technology.
Leading thinker on automation, labour markets and the economics of technological change.
Europe’s regulatory heavyweight on competition, platform power and digital governance.
Author of From CIA to CEO and former intelligence officer on bold leadership, strategic thinking and high-performance cultures.
Author and technologist on digital rights, decentralised tech and the politics of platforms.
AI-policy and ethics leader focused on responsible AI governance and strategic public policy.
Global digital-policy advocate on internet freedom, digital diplomacy and human rights online.
Award winning and acclaimed Oxford Professor, author of ‘Prophecy: Prediction, Power, and the Fight for the Future, from Ancient Oracles to AI’ (2026).
Information, Attention & Human Performance
Behavioural scientist who helps teams and leaders perform under pressure.
Emotional-intelligence scientist helping organisations build emotionally literate cultures.
Leadership and performance coach focused on resilience, wellbeing and sustainable peak performance.
Leadership development specialist in organisational transformation and executive impact.
Formula 1 strategist, data scientist and motor racing expert with a formidable motor racing career spanning over three decades
What the list tells us — headline themes from 2025
• Geopolitics and strategic context remain central. Audiences wanted clear, authoritative explanations of risk and leadership.
• Macro and markets demand actionable clarity. With discussion around Tariffs and Trade Policy central, organisers sought speakers who turn policy into practical business implications.
• Security and cyber are core business issues. Boards and leadership teams increasingly prioritised defensible thinking on resilience and intelligence.
• Sustainability is now an operational challenge. Clients favoured speakers who translate climate commitments into implementable strategies.
• Tech, AI and regulation are converging with work and policy. Demand rose for speakers who combine technical literacy with governance and ethics.
• Human performance, attention and emotional intelligence matter. Practical, people-focused expertise drove engagement across sectors.
What this means for 2026 — practical predictions
• Integrated narratives are increasingly important. Bookers will favour speakers who join the dots across geopolitics, markets, climate and tech.
• AI, cyber and regulation will accelerate demand. Those who can speak credibly on technical detail and policy continue to be highly sort after.
• Sustainability bookings will favour the how — not just the why. Practical, system-level solutions will rise in value.
• Hybrid, modular and short-form formats will be the norm. Audiences want high-impact digital sessions plus in-person deep dives.
• Pair heavyweight voices with challengers. Mixing established commentators with practitioner or challenger voices delivers memorable programming.
Recommendations for clients & bookers
• Start outreach early for headline names. Availability for top speakers tightens quickly — begin Q1–Q3 2026 conversations now.
• Build thematic slates. “Geopolitics + Markets” or “AI, Security & Regulation” packages offer turnkey, joined-up programming.
• Mix formats to increase ROI. Combine keynotes with panels/workshops and secure streaming and reuse rights at contracting.
• Bring ins speakers who can provide actionable outcomes. Book speakers who provide frameworks or next steps that delegates can apply.
• Balance perspective. Pair heavyweight commentators with younger voices or practitioners to spark debate and fresh thinking.
If you’d like, we can:
• Check availability for any of these speakers for Q1–Q3 2026,
• Draft a themed slate (for example: “Geopolitics + Markets” or “AI, Security & Regulation”), or
• Recommend complementary or rising voices to pair with an established headliner.
Contact me directly at raleigh@chartwellspeakers.com and we’ll put a tailored proposal together.