Tobias Ellwood Keynote Speaker

Tobias Ellwood is a former British Army Officer, senior UK parliamentarian and now writer and commentator on National Security & Foreign Policy issues.

As a former Foreign Minister, Defence Minister and Chair of the House of Commons Defence Committee he’s been at the forefront in helping  shape & critique UK security  and foreign policy –  in ever increasingly turbulent times.

During his time in frontline politics, he met Heads of State and senior officials from around the world, addressed international summits and attended COBRA & National Security Council meetings here in the UK.

Tobias is a dual UK/ US national (born in New York due to his father’s posting at the UN). He grew up in Germany and Austria and has visited almost 100 countries across the globe. He served in the Army with Tim Peake, worked in the Middle East with John Kerry and even had a private cup of tea with President Putin in Baku!

Tobias comes from a family of teachers that’s helped his appreciation for cognitive thought. Learning how to think – not what to think. By character he is an interventionist – throughout his life he’s sought to step forward to make a positive difference and challenge the status quo.

Twice in his life – he had to confront terrorism. Firstly, losing his brother in the Bali Bombings in 2002 and secondly his involvement in the Westminster Bridge attacks in 2017. These experiences have very much  influenced his political outlook and focus.

During his time in Parliament, he gained a reputation for having the courage to speak out and challenge Party positions especially when they went against the nation’s interest. In all the work he now does – there’s a common theme of encouraging Britain to play a greater leadership role, as our world enters a dark and ever more complex chapter.