Ken Hughes Keynote Speaker

Global Authority on the New Consumer Values & Behaviour
King of Customer Experience
Inspiring Speaker on Disruption, Change, AI and Innovation

Ken Hughes's Biography

Ken Hughes is one of the world’s most respected voices on customer experience, modern consumer behaviour and brand engagement. With over two decades advising Fortune 500 brands, he explores the intersection of psychology, technology, and human connection. Known as The King of Customer Experience, his dynamic keynotes help organisations build emotional relevance in a disruptive world.

A behavioural scientist by background and CEO of a global consumer insight agency, Ken brings a unique lens to understanding the modern and future consumer. His work blends behavioural psychology, digital anthropology, and storytelling to decode what truly drives human decision-making—at scale.

He is a TED speaker, author, part-time university lecturer and a globally in-demand keynote speaker, delivering over 80 keynotes every year across five continents. Known for his electrifying stage presence and Irish wit, Ken delivers customised, high-impact sessions that stay with audiences long after the event ends.

Ken’s keynotes explore everything from AI disruption, Gen Z and Gen Alpha mindsets, and emotional loyalty, to innovation, leadership and employee experience. His insights have shaped strategies for some of the world’s biggest brands across retail, tech, finance, healthcare, FMCG, and more.

Off stage, Ken also works as a high-performance strategist for athletes, entertainers and senior executives, bringing the same curiosity and energy to unlocking personal growth.

The Blue Dot Consumer: Understanding the Modern Customer Connection

Today’s consumer sees themselves as the centre of every experience. This keynote explores how brands must adapt to Gen Z, AI, and rising expectations for personal, instant, and emotionally intelligent interactions.

Taylormaking: How to Use Customer Experience to Build Brand Success

Inspired by Taylor Swift’s emotional brand strategy, this talk shows how brands can create lasting loyalty through connection, co-creation, and customer experience that goes beyond the transactional.

AI, Data and Disruption: Winning the Race for Customer Relevance

As AI reshapes consumer behaviour, Ken explores how brands can harness technology to deepen human connection, stay relevant, and lead through behavioural insight — not just digital innovation.

Igniting the Spark: How Creativity and Risk Drive the Innovation Engine

True innovation demands risk, play and courage. This energising keynote challenges teams to break routine, embrace creativity, and reignite the mindset needed for bold personal and organisational growth.

Flat is the New Black: The Growth & Sustainability Paradox

What if flat growth was leadership, not failure? This provocative talk questions outdated success metrics and explores how brands can prioritise purpose, sustainability, and long-term impact.

Ken Hughes. The King of CX | Showreel

Ken Hughes | Trendsday 23 - Brussels

Keynote | Taylormaking: How to use CX to build brand success

The blue dot consumer: What can financial services learn from Taylor Swift, Red Bull, and United Airlines

Articles, Media & Podcasts

Emotional Intelligence and The Future of Customer Connection [Podcast]

Simply CX

Why customer intimacy is the future of CX The “King of CX” unpacks the psychology behind brand intimacy

Simply CX

‘Taylormaking’: Taylor Swift Hailed as a ‘Genius’ as ‘Life of a Showgirl’ Drops Worldwide

Parade

Taylormaking: What Brands Can Learn from Taylor Swift.

Newstalk

The Hidden Language of Loyalty: CX Connection is Everything

Ken Hughes

Books by Ken Hughes

Taylormaking: A New Era of Modern Branding and Customer Connection

Comments & Testimonials

The session with Ken was absolutely fantastic - it was exactly what we wanted and what we were hoping for! The feedback for Ken's session has been so positive, with most people voting it their favourite session and highlight of the day.