Tim Willasey-Wilsey Keynote Speaker

Expert on geopolitical and strategic risk
Former diplomat
Chatham House Council Member and Visiting Professor of War Studies at King's College, London

Tim Willasey-Wilsey's Biography

Tim Willasey-Wilsey CMG is a historian, author, former diplomat and specialist in geopolitical risk. His recent book “The Spy and the Devil” has been highly acclaimed.

Tim is a rare case of a geopolitical practitioner who has dealt with crises on four continents but who has also worked in finance and manufacturing industry.

He illustrates his talks with examples of crises from both history and his own career and always asks the “So What” question. What does this mean for businesses and their customers?

Tim has a long track-record of talking to Board and ExCO offsites and awaydays and to client dinners. His talks are both affordable and captivating.

After five years in the packaging iductry Tim worked overseas for the British government. In a career spanning 27 years he advised on Counter Terrorism, the Middle East, China, Japan and the Indian Subconmtinent.

He then spent 13 years as International Advisor to NatWest and Coutts before taking up a role as Visiting Professor at King’s College London and Senior Associate Fellow at RUSI.

Risk in the Middle East and Asia

Coping with geopolitical and strategic risk (including the threat from cyber weapons)

How to manage reputational risk

Business lessons from the Cold War to the Global War on Terror

He is a respected geopolitical risk expert, historian and former diplomat with decades of experience advising governments, businesses and financial institutions on international affairs.
He translates complex global events and historical crises into practical insights that help organisations understand risk, uncertainty and geopolitical change.
He brings exceptional credibility through a distinguished diplomatic career spanning counterterrorism, the Middle East, China, Japan and the Indian subcontinent, alongside senior advisory roles in banking and finance.
He is an engaging and highly informed speaker who combines real-world experience, historical perspective and strategic analysis with clear commercial relevance.
His insights equip leaders and organisations to better navigate geopolitical volatility, assess international risk and understand the global forces shaping business and security.