- Rory Stewart, Best-Selling Author, Former Politician and Diplomat
- Diana Choyleva, Expert on China’s Economy and Politics
- Mervyn King, Former Governor of the Bank of England
- Gerard Lyons, Economist and Expert on New Globalisation
- Suella Braverman, Former UK Home Secretary
- Cindy Yu, Assistant Editor at the Spectator and host of the “Chinese Whispers” podcast
- Mitchell Reiss, US diplomat & Foreign Policy Expert
- Sherard Cowper-Coles, Chair of the China-Britain Business Council
- Simon Mann, Security Contractor & Geopolitical Risk Expert
- Sharanjit Leyl, Journalist and Moderator
- Mark Galeotti, British historian, lecturer and writer
- Andrew Roberts, Acclaimed historian and writer
What is Geopolitics?
Geopolitics is the study of how geography, economics, and politics intersect to shape global power dynamics. It explores the relationships between nations, the impact of globalisation, and the influence of resources and technology on international relations. Geopolitical analysis helps us understand the complexities of global decision-making, from trade negotiations to military conflicts, and its implications for businesses, governments, and individuals.
How to Choose a Geopolitics Speaker for Your Event
When choosing a geopolitics speaker for your event, consider the following criteria:
- Expertise: The speaker should have a deep understanding of global political and economic systems, backed by relevant academic or professional credentials.
- Relevance: Look for speakers whose insights align with your event’s theme or audience interests, whether it’s trade, security, or international diplomacy.
- Experience: A proven track record in diplomacy, international relations, or analysis ensures credibility and authority.
- Communication Skills: The ability to translate complex geopolitical issues into engaging and accessible narratives is crucial for audience engagement.
- Notable Achievements: Speakers with a history of impactful contributions, such as published works, high-profile negotiations, or media appearances, add significant value.
At CWG Speakers, we represent thought leaders who excel in these areas, ensuring your audience receives actionable insights and inspiring perspectives.
Rory Stewart
Rory Stewart is a former UK politician, diplomat, and best-selling author. He served as the Secretary of State for International Development and has held roles in the UK’s Foreign Office, including time as a diplomat in Iraq and Afghanistan. Stewart’s career spans academia as a lecturer at Yale’s Jackson School of Global Affairs and humanitarian work through his non-profit organisation.
Today, Stewart continues to share his expertise as a senior fellow at Yale University and through his highly regarded podcast, The Rest Is Politics. His perspectives on global development and international relations make him a compelling voice in geopolitics.
Notable Achievements:
- Authored bestselling books, including The Places In Between, which chronicles his journey across Afghanistan.
- Recipient of numerous awards for his humanitarian work.
- Regular contributor to global media outlets and a sought-after speaker on Middle Eastern politics.
- Politician of the Year award of British GQ (2019)
- The Gold Medal for Outstanding Contributions to Public Discourse from the College Historical Society of Trinity College Dublin
Diana Choyleva
Diana Choyleva is a leading economist specialising in China’s economy and global markets. She began her career at Lombard Street Research, rising to Chief Economist, before founding Enodo Economics, an independent macroeconomic and geopolitical research consultancy.
As Chief Economist at Enodo Economics, Choyleva advises businesses and policymakers on the implications of China’s economic and political strategies. She is also a senior fellow on Chinese Economy at the Asia Society Policy Institutes’s Center for China Analysis. She regularly writes opinion pieces for the Financial Times, Wall Street Journal, Nikkei Asian Review, etc.
She has written three books, China’s Quest for Financial Self-reliance – How Beijing Plans to Decouple from the Dollar-Based Global Trading and Financial System; The American Phoenix — and Why China and Europe Will Struggle After the Coming Slump; and The Bill from the China Shop — How Asia’s Savings Glut Threatens the World Economy.
Notable Achievements:
- Published expert analysis in major outlets, including The Financial Times and Bloomberg.
- Regular keynote speaker at international forums, focusing on the intersection of China and the global economy.
- Featured on panels discussing the future of trade and technology.
Mervyn King
Mervyn King is an economist and the former Governor of the Bank of England, serving during the global financial crisis. He is also a distinguished academic, having taught at the London School of Economics and New York University.
King is a senior adviser to several international organisations and a sought-after speaker on the intersection of economics and geopolitics. He is also an Alan Greenspan Professor of Economics and Professor of Law at New York University and Emeritus Professor of Economics at the London School of Economics. As well a published author, with one highly praised book called The End of Alchemy.
Notable Achievements:
- Knighted for his contributions to economic policy.
- Author of The End of Alchemy: Money, Banking, and the Future of the Global Economy.
- Frequently interviewed by major media outlets, including BBC and The Economist.
Gerard Lyons
Gerard Lyons is an economist with decades of experience advising governments and businesses. He has held senior roles at Standard Chartered Bank and served as Chief Economic Adviser to the Mayor of London. Lyons is also the author of The Consolations of Economics, one of Telegraph’s Book of the Year.
Lyons is a regular commentator on global financial markets and an adviser on economic policy. He also serves on the board of several esteemed institutions such as BGC partners and Bank of China (UK). He is a revered and respected speaker on global economics with insights that have shaped policies, guided leaders, and created new pathways for international finance.
Notable Achievements:
- Published influential reports on economic growth and Brexit.
- Regular guest on Sky News and CNBC.
- Advisor to global businesses on navigating geopolitical risks.
Suella Braverman
Suella Braverman is a prominent UK politician who has served as the Home Secretary. With a legal background as a barrister, Braverman has also been a key voice on issues of national security, immigration, and UK-EU relations.
Braverman remains an influential figure in UK politics, contributing to debates on sovereignty and public policy.
Notable Achievements:
- Played a pivotal role in shaping immigration policy.
- Regularly features in media discussions on national security.
- Notable advocate for Brexit-related legislative initiatives.
Cindy Yu
Cindy Yu is a journalist and broadcaster with expertise in Chinese politics and culture. As the Assistant Editor at The Spectator, she has written extensively on China’s political landscape and its global ambitions. Yu is also the host of podcast “Chinese Whispers” where she discusses all things China with guests.
Yu is a frequent commentator on major news platforms, sharing her expertise on China’s relationship with the West.
Notable Achievements:
- Hosted podcasts and panel discussions on China’s geopolitical strategies.
- Published widely on topics including technology, culture, and governance in China.
- Regular guest on BBC and Sky News.
Mitchell Reiss
Mitchell Reiss is a diplomat and foreign policy expert. He has served as Director of Policy Planning at the US State Department and as President of Washington College.
Reiss advises governments and businesses on international conflict resolution and negotiation strategies. He is a speaker specialising in geopolitical risk, negotiation, and leadership.
Reiss is also a published author. With books such as “Negotiating with Evil: When to Talk to Terrorists”, “Bridled Ambition: Why Countries Constrain Their Nuclear Capabilities” and “Without the Bomb: Politics of Nuclear Non-Profileration”.
Notable Achievements:
- Played a significant role in Northern Ireland’s peace process.
- Regularly publishes on international diplomacy and policy.
- Frequent speaker on global leadership and crisis management.
Sherard Cowper-Coles
Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles is a seasoned diplomat and business leader with over 30 years of experience in the British Diplomatic Service. He has held prominent roles such as British Ambassador to Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Afghanistan, as well as serving as the Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan. Post-retirement from diplomacy, he transitioned into corporate roles, including Senior Adviser at HSBC Holdings and Chair of the China-Britain Business Council. His extensive career also includes leadership in public and government affairs, international business development at BAE Systems, and roles in prominent business councils.
Notable Achievements:
- Instrumental in the governance transition of Hong Kong (1994–1997).
- Restored Pitzhanger Manor as the first Chair of its Trust.
- Founding Chair of the UK Financial Inclusion Commission.
- Key advocate and fundraiser for charities, including Maggie’s cancer support and the Zoological Society of London.
Simon Mann
Simon Mann is a former SAS soldier, businessman, and geopolitical risk consultant, best known for his involvement in the 2004 “Wonga Coup,” an attempt to overthrow Equatorial Guinea’s leader. A pioneer in private security, Mann co-founded Executive Outcomes and later Sandline International, leading military operations to secure oil fields and stabilise regions in conflict.
Mann is also Chairman of Hydrogen Utopia, focusing on innovative technologies such as converting plastic waste into hydrogen. His insights into leadership, business, and global security make him a sought-after speaker.
Notable Achievements:
- Played a pivotal role in the early development of private security contracting.
- Authored Cry Havoc, detailing his experiences, including the coup and his imprisonment.
- Currently advises on economic opportunities in Africa, particularly in commodities markets.
Sharanjit Leyl
Sharanjit Leyl is a veteran journalist and accomplished moderator with over 25 years of experience in global media. She is best known for her 18-year tenure as a BBC News broadcaster, where she covered complex topics in business, politics, and cultural dialogue. Her expertise spans television, radio, and online journalism, with notable stints at BBC World News, Bloomberg Television, and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
With her global experience and journalistic acumen, Sharanjit Leyl offers a unique ability to connect audiences across diverse industries and cultural contexts.
Notable Achievements:
- Highly commended as Best Presenter at the Asian TV Awards.
- Recipient of the Best News Programme award for a 2017 episode of Newsday.
- Conducted interviews with world leaders and facilitated multinational corporate events on diversity and media strategy.
Mark Galeotti
Mark Galeotti is a leading expert on Russian security forces and organised crime. With over 30 books to his name, he explores the country’s internal dynamics and geopolitical strategies. His insights make him a highly sought-after commentator on the Kremlin’s foreign policy and conflicts.
Galeotti has briefed NATO, Interpol, and the UK Parliament on Russia’s evolving political landscape and security threats. With a PhD from the London School of Economics and extensive academic experience in London, New York, Prague, and Moscow (until the Kremlin banned him in 2022), he is widely respected for his clear, measured analysis of Russian affairs.
Notable Achievements:
- Director of Mayak Intelligence, advising governments, businesses, and security organisations.
- Author of key works including Putin’s Wars, The Weaponisation of Everything, and The Vory: Russia’s Super Mafia.
- Honorary Professor at UCL’s School of Slavonic and East European Studies and Senior Associate Fellow at RUSI.
- A regular contributor to The Spectator and The Sunday Times.
- Host of the In Moscow’s Shadows podcast, offering deep dives into Russian politics and history.
Andrew Roberts
Andrew Roberts is one of the world’s leading historians, known for his award-winning works on leadership, war, and statecraft. His books, including Napoleon the Great, Churchill: Walking with Destiny, and George III, have shaped contemporary understanding of key historical figures and events.
He is renowned for his incisive historical analysis, which he applies to contemporary geopolitics. His comparisons of Churchill and President Zelensky have drawn widespread acclaim, and his expertise is frequently sought for discussions on modern conflicts, including Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas war.
Notable Achievements:
- Author of Storm of War, providing critical insights into World War II.
- Visiting Professor at the War Studies Department at King’s College, London.
- Roger and Martha Mertz Visiting Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University.
- Delivered prestigious lectures at Oxford, Cambridge, Yale, Princeton, and Stanford.
Elevated to the House of Lords as Baron Roberts of Belgravia.
Why Book a Geopolitics Speaker?
Geopolitics speakers bring unparalleled value to events and conferences by:
- Contextualising global trends: Understanding how international developments impact local markets and industries.
- Inspiring strategic thinking: Encouraging audiences to consider broader implications and prepare for future challenges.
- Engaging audiences: Providing captivating narratives that resonate with both professional and general audiences.
Secure Your Geopolitics Speaker Today
At CWG Speakers, we connect you with the world’s leading experts in geopolitics and international relations. Whether you’re organising a corporate event, academic conference, or leadership retreat, our speakers can elevate your programme with their knowledge and insight.
Contact us today to hire a speaker and secure the perfect fit for your event. Together, let’s create an unforgettable experience that leaves your audience inspired and informed.
