Mike Anderson Keynote Speaker

Former board director at News UK and Associated Newspapers, leading through three major industry transformations
Founder of Chelsea Apps Factory and executive coach to founders and C-suite leaders
Author of Serious Fun in Business: A Human Algorithm (2026), exploring leadership in the age of AI

Mike Anderson's Biography

Mike Anderson joined the graduate training programme at The Scotsman in Edinburgh without a degree, and went on to sit on the boards of two of Fleet Street’s biggest rivals — the Sun and the News of the World at News UK, and the Evening Standard and the Daily Mail at Associated Newspapers.

He has ridden three major industry transitions and won on each: print to digital, desktop to mobile (he founded Chelsea Apps Factory in 2010, working with clients including Waitrose, KPMG, Vodafone, TfL, Ladbrokes and William Hill), and now digital to AI — the subject of his first book.

In 1999 he was Managing Director of the launch team of Metro, the free London commuter paper, which went from £100,000 to £1 million in monthly revenue within a year and reached profitability within 15 months — a record for a UK newspaper launch.

He has since built a practice as an executive coach and connector, working with founders and C-suite leaders including at Amazon.

His first book, Serious Fun in Business: A Human Algorithm, argues that as AI equalises companies on efficiency, the rarest and most valuable leadership assets become entirely human — energy, judgement, culture and connection.

He co-hosts the podcast Whistle to Work.

The Human Algorithm

Leading in the Age of AI (flagship keynote)

Serious Fun in Business

Why Energy and Connection Are Competitive Advantages

Riding the Wave

Three Industry Transitions and What They Taught Me About Leadership

Lonely at the Top

The Hidden Pressure on Modern Leaders

Instinct Meets Data

How to Trust Your Judgement When Everyone Has an Opinion

Mike’s perspective is grounded in both high-pressure corporate leadership and entrepreneurial reinvention.
He spent more than two decades in Fleet Street and national media, working with powerful personalities, boardrooms and fast-moving commercial environments.
He then spent 15 years in startups and scaleups, building Chelsea Apps Factory and helping clients innovate, grow and adapt in fast-changing markets.
He now coaches leaders through two of the most common emotions in business: loneliness and frustration — and shows them how to turn both into momentum, perspective and even fun.

Articles, Media & Podcasts

Whistle to Work Podcast

With Zarir Vakil and Mike Anderson

Books by Mike Anderson

Serious Fun in Business: A Human Algorithm

Comments & Testimonials

"Mike was one of the best coaches I've worked with. He brought ideas and concepts from his own expansive experience, and examples from so many other senior business leaders he works with, to life in a way that made me think differently about my own path and how to reach my goals. The sessions were candid, fun, practical and tailored to the realities of leading a large international team in a complex business. I came away from each meeting with new ideas, clear actions, greater focus and more confidence in how I lead my team and support our business internationally. I'd happily recommend Mike as an executive coach to any senior leader navigating big transitions or thinking about what might be the next step in their career."

Jeff Sharpe Amazon

"I have had the privilege of being mentored by Mike for over 25 years. He doesn't just offer generic advice; he takes the time to listen and craft personalised action plans that resonate deeply with my goals. Since leveraging his services, I have experienced an unparalleled surge in demand, allowing me to scale my operations from a humble garage to securing national Government contracts."

Adrian Radford-Shute CEO

"Mike has an inspiring approach to mentoring. His calm, considered and creative nature enables transparency to flow and I always walk away from each session with a plan, a resurgence in confidence and complete clarity. He can turn any complex and challenging situation into a simple next step."

James White Chief Revenue Officer, Evening Standard

"I am pleased to recommend Mike Anderson in his capacity as an executive coach and accredited business mentor. His focus on sustainable leadership and his insights into building adaptable business strategies have already made a significant impact, and his commitment to creating meaningful, long-term relationships with his clients makes his mentorship both impactful and rewarding."

Dr Kelly C. DBA, FRSA, CMC, Executive Coach

"Mike is fab! Intelligent and insanely experienced, yet humble. He is a good listener, creative problem solver and has an amazing network that he will leverage to help his clients."

Ben Legg Founder, The Portfolio Collective — ex-COO, Google