John Bew Keynote Speaker

John Bew is a distinguished academic, award-winning author and senior government advisor, known for his extensive experience at the highest levels of UK foreign policy and national security. In 2019, John joined No. 10 Downing Street as the chief Foreign Policy Advisor, a position he held for over five years working under four Prime Ministers and through two general elections. In that time, he has gained extensive experience of working with different branches of the British state – from the Foreign Office, Ministry of Defence and National Security Secretariat to the armed forces and agencies – and engaging with other governments and multilateral institutions.

John led the No10 team which produced the Integrated Review of Foreign Policy, Defence and Security in 2021 and the Integrated Review Refresh of 2023, both of which led to significant increases in Defence spending. This has seen him play an integral role in shaping responses to pivotal challenges, from the formation of AUKUS to addressing the ongoing war in Ukraine. His work has also included leading foreign policy initiatives at key international summits such as the G7, G20, NATO, and the UN General Assembly.

John has been deeply involved in the restoration of devolved institutions in Northern Ireland and has uniquely bridged political divides, having served both Conservative and Labour administrations. In 2021, he was appointed as the UK’s representative to the NATO Secretary General’s Reflections Group, advising on strategic recommendations for NATO’s 2022 Strategic Concept. His influence spans across the UK, Europe, and the Indo-Pacific, reinforcing the UK’s role in global alliances and security.

In academia, John is a Professor of History and Foreign Policy at King’s College London’s War Studies Department, as well as a distinguished visiting fellow at the Hoover Institution and a senior advisor at the Australian National Security College. John began his career with notable academic achievements and was later appointed as the youngest-ever holder of the Kissinger Chair at the Kluge Center at the Library of Congress. This is where he completed research for his book, Realpolitik: A History. His scholarly and policy contributions continue to impact foreign policy, international security, and the study of modern diplomacy.

He is the author of five influential books, including Talking to Terrorists, and Castlereagh: A Life published in 2012. His acclaimed biography of former UK Prime Minister, Clement Attlee including Citizen Clem, won three national awards including the prestigious Orwell Prize. He was also awarded the Leverhulme Prize for International Studies in 2015.