Ben Wallace Keynote Speaker

Secretary Of State For Defence (2019 - 2023)
NATO’s longest-serving Defence Secretary in recent times
Decorated army officer with substantial knowledge of the Middle East and the Pacific theatre

Ben Wallace's Biography

Sir Ben Wallace is an expert in national and international security. He has held the roles as the UK Secretary of State for Defence as well as Minister of State for Security and Economic Crime.

As the UK’s Defence Secretary between 2019 and 2023, Sir Ben was one of NATO’s longest serving Defence Ministers, steering the UK’s national security through turbulent times. Under his stewardship the UK responded to the evacuation of Kabul and Sudan. Internationally, Sir Ben is widely regarded as being one of the main leaders of the West’s response to Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. He was the first to call for and deliver lethal aid to Ukraine before the war. At home he completed two Strategic Defence Reviews and delivered the UK’s first AI strategy for the MOD. He was also successful in securing £31bn of extra funding for defence.

Before entering the Ministry of Defence, Sir Ben served as the UK Security Minister, a portfolio covering counter terrorism, counter espionage, organised and cybercrime. He served in Government under five Prime Ministers and worked with both the Trump and Biden administrations.

Sir Ben started his career as a soldier at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. He served on two operational tours and was mentioned in despatches for gallantry. He was knighted in 2024 for political and public service.

He now works in the private sector, advising in a private equity firm and advising a number of other organisations in the UK and abroad.

Geopolitics

Regions of expertise are Russia, Middle East, Pacific & US

Security

Espionage; Counter Terrorism; Cyber Crime; Economic Crime; Money Laundering; Organised Crime

Defence

Military Reform; Defence Reform; Special Forces; Lessons of Ukraine; Defence Technology

Politics

Longest Serving Conservative Minister; Longest Security Minister; Secretary of State for Defence; Served 5 Prime Ministers

He served as the UK Secretary of State for Defence from 2019 to 2023, leading national security strategy through major international crises and a rapidly changing threat landscape.
He was a central figure in the West’s response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, bringing firsthand insight into alliance decision-making, deterrence and modern warfare.
He oversaw the UK’s response to the evacuations from Kabul and Sudan, offering leaders practical lessons on crisis leadership, logistics and operating under extreme uncertainty.
He previously served as the UK Security Minister, with responsibility for counter terrorism, counter espionage and cybercrime, helping organisations understand how state and non-state threats impact business and society.
He delivered the UK Ministry of Defence’s first AI strategy and two Strategic Defence Reviews, giving audiences a strategic lens on emerging technology, defence modernisation and resilience at national scale.