Adam Dixon Keynote Speaker

Adam Dixon is an American professor based in Edinburgh, Scotland, where he leads Panmure House, the last home of moral philosopher and father of economics, Adam Smith. He is an engaging speaker and moderator who is known for cutting through the headlines to reveal the bigger picture: who holds the power, what truly matters, and where the world is headed next.

As the Adam Smith Chair, he approaches today’s challenges in the manner of one of history’s greatest thinkers, with timeless lessons, humility, and reasoned insight. He unpacks key topics, from the risks and opportunities of the expanding role of government in economies and global economic competition, to the ethical boundaries of business and markets.

Professor Dixon has advised leading financial institutions, sovereign wealth funds, and international organizations, including the OECD, World Bank, European Commission, and World Economic Forum. His insights have helped shape global strategies on investment, development, and governance, bridging academia and real-world impact. His work has reshaped our understanding of the relationship between states and markets. In books like The Spectre of State Capitalism (Oxford University Press, 2024) and Sovereign Wealth Funds: Between the State and the Market (Agenda, 2022), he examines the evolving landscape of global finance and commerce, the power and limits of state-led investment, and its broader implications.

He has studied and taught in the United States, Spain, France, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. He earned his D.Phil. from the University of Oxford, a Diplôme (Master) from Sciences Po Paris in France and a BA in from The George Washington University in Washington, DC. His diverse international experience equips him with a unique ability to connect with audiences across cultures and around the globe.