Named by The Observer as “one of the world’s leading thinkers” and by Vogue as “one of the world’s most inspiring women,” economist Noreena Hertz is a bestselling author, board member and keynote speaker.

Her best-selling books, The Silent Takeover, The Debt Threat and Eyes Wide Open are published in more than twenty countries. Her latest book is the international bestseller The Lonely Century – A Call to Reconnect, which was chosen by The Daily Telegraph, Wired, and El Mundo, amongst other publications, as a Book of the Year.

As a global economist, whose work intersects the nexus of economics, technology, politics and society – and a pioneering and renowned thinker on ESG, the post-millennial generation and community building – Noreena also advises some of the largest organizations and most senior leaders in the world on strategy and transformation.

The Insightful Work of Economist Noreena Hertz

She sits on the boards of Nasdaq-listed companies Mattel and Warner Music Group and also the board of the HR Tech Company, Workhuman. She has served on Citigroup’s Politics and Economics Global Advisory Board, the Inclusive Capitalism Taskforce’s Advisory Group, and RWE’s Digital Transformation Board, and her thinking served as the inspiration for Bono’s Product ‘Red’.

As a visionary thinker, Noreena is also frequently sought after as a Keynote Speaker and has given keynote speeches at TED, The World Economic Forum in Davos and Google Zeitgeist as well as for leading global corporations, sharing platforms with such luminaries as President Bill Clinton, Professor Stephen Hawking and David Beckham amongst others.  Her opinion pieces have appeared in publications including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, The Financial Times, Die Zeit, El Pais, and The South China Morning Post.

Noreena also makes frequent television appearances around the world including on flagship television shows such as CBS’ This Morning, BBC’s Question Time, NHK’s Global Debate. She has created and hosted four television documentaries; hosted her own show on the US’ largest radio network Sirius XM and served as the economics editor for the UK’s leading commercial television network, ITV.

Noreena has a PhD from Cambridge University and an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Having spent 10 years at the University of Cambridge, in 2014 she moved to University College London where she is an Honorary Professor at the Institute for Global Prosperity.

1.    AI: Beyond the Hype: How AI will transform business and society and what this means for us all

AI is already transforming business, healthcare and government. But how radical will the transformation be in business, economic and societal terms? 

Who will be the winners? Who will lose out? What can businesses do to make sure that they thrive in this new age and fully leverage its capabilities? Whilst at the same time have a plan in place to address its downside risks?

And what will happen to us as individuals? Will AI take our jobs? Make us smarter or more stupid? How will it impact not only how we work  but also how we vote? What will it mean to be human in the age of AI? And how do we influence its trajectory?

Combining historical analysis, personal anecdotes, and the latest thinking on where we are heading, Noreena will address these questions and more in this thought-provoking keynote.

2. The New Global Landscape: How to succeed in these radically different times

President Trump is in office. Right wing populists in power across the globe. Russia and Iran increasingly cosy. China continuing to face challenges. There is continued instability in the Middle East and Ukraine. Trade tariffs are the new reality.

The rules of the game have fundamentally changed. The post Cold War consensus that dominated the past 35 years – in which peace was the norm, free trade the mantra, democracy a given and globalisation the accepted way forward – has irrevocably broken down.

This has huge consequences for society but also for business, the implications of which leaders must understand. 

In this stimulating keynote Noreena helps her audience make sense of this radically different political, geopolitical and business environment—and offers a roadmap for how they can adapt their strategies to navigate these shifts to ensure that they successfully thrive in it.

3. Generation K: How to manage, engage, and inspire your post-millennial employees and consumers 

Generation K (today’s 16–26-year-olds) makes up almost a third of employees and has almost $1 trillion in purchasing power. Yet how much do you really know them, a generation that is profoundly different to the millennials? 

Did you know for example that they are the loneliest generation on record? And also the most anxious? That they are profoundly worried about their economic futures? And are reconfiguring their purchasing and workplace behaviours accordingly? That they seek agency in the office and also in the shopping mall and actively seek out both opportunities to connect but also to co-create. That they care passionately about a host of issues – but increasingly along gender lines. And did you know too the extent to which this generation distrusts traditional institutions whether we’re talking big business or Government? 

By deploying her proprietary research on this generation – in this fascinating keynote Noreena helps leaders to both understand this generation but know how to connect with, inspire, engage and retain them – whether as employees or customers.

4. Breaking Barriers, Building Futures: How to shatter the glass ceiling and make an impact

Step into the world of one of Europe’s most extraordinary trailblazers and discover how she shattered the glass ceiling—and how you can too. 

Noreena Hertz is one of the rare women in Europe to serve on the boards of multiple U.S. multibillion-dollar companies. She’s also a best-selling author, renowned academic, and fearless activist whose visionary ideas shaped Bono’s (RED) campaign and inspired Premier League footballers to donate a day’s wages for nurses.

In this empowering keynote, Noreena will share deeply personal stories and reflections from her remarkable journey—how she overcame challenges, stayed true to herself, and forged her own path in male-dominated industries. Alongside her insights, she’ll provide actionable strategies and tools to help women in business take control of their careers, amplify their influence, and lead with purpose.

Authentic, inspiring, and focused on results, this keynote is designed for women looking to break barriers, elevate their careers, and leave a legacy of impact.

Recent Client Feedback

BMC Software: “Thank you very much for such a great presentation. The feedback from the audience was outstanding.”
Freshfields: “We have received incredibly strong feedback about your session. It was thought provoking, engaging, and got people talking afterwards.”
Pictet: “Outstanding and invaluable. Your expertise and insights greatly enriched the event and played a significant role in its success… You have made a lasting impact.”
Deloitte: “Many of our client leaders talked about how your insights truly made them think differently about challenges and opportunities through the lens of the geopolitical landscape, globalisation, and your take on Generation K.”
Danske Bank: “Noreena was brilliant.”
Changer Club: “Brilliant. Noreena was perfect.”