Peter is a top ranked and world class speaker on technological evolution, innovation strategy and adaptive leadership. He brings his content with a unique combination of depth, clarity, positivity, and a dry sense of humour.

Peter has collaborated with Fortune 1000 companies and leading brands like Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon, Accenture, LVMH, Hermes, HP, Microsoft, Bloomberg, Gartner, Danone, Chanel, LinkedIn, HSBC, Airbus, Sanofi, The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Honeywell, SAS and many more.

He also lectures at renowned business schools including the London Business School and the MIT Sloan School of Management.

Peter is the author of five bestselling business books. “The Phoenix & The Unicorn (2020) is a book about Phoenixes: companies that are able to rethink themselves in cycles, just like the mythical bird. ‘The Day After Tomorrow’ (2017) is about the benefits of long-term thinking in times of radical innovation. ‘The Network Always Wins’ (2014) explains how and why companies have no choice but to become a network when the outside world has evolved into one. In ‘The New Normal’ (2010), Peter writes about how companies should explore the limits of the digital world, and what happens when technology just becomes ‘normal’. ‘Business/IT Fusion (2008) is a guide about how to solve the conflict between business and IT.

For more than fifteen years, Peter led a life of technology start-ups. His first company e-COM was acquired by Alcatel-Lucent, his second, Streamcase, by Belgacom, and Across Technology by Delaware Consulting. His third venture (Porthus) was quoted on the stock exchange in 2006 and acquired by Descartes. Between start-ups, he has been an Entrepreneur in Residence with McKinsey & Company, with a focus on digital and technology strategy. Peter’s current company nexxworks inspires and connects organizations so that they can thrive in the Never Normal.

Peter is a multiple board advisor at leading companies like Belfius, Mediahuis and Ergon Capital on subjects related to innovation and technology. Peter Hinssen is a serial entrepreneur, adviser and keynote speaker on the topics of radical innovation, leadership and the impact of all things digital on society and business. For more than fifteen years, Peter led a life of technology start-ups. His first company e-COM was acquired by Alcatel-Lucent, his second, Streamcase, by Belgacom, and Across Technology by Delaware Consulting. His third venture (Porthus) was quoted on the stock exchange in 2006 and acquired by Descartes.

Between start-ups, he has been an Entrepreneur in Residence with McKinsey & Company, with a focus on digital and technology strategy. Peter’s current company nexxworks helps organisations become fluid, innovate and thrive in The Day After Tomorrow.

These are the most popular topics of Peter’s keynotes

• Surviving and thriving in a Never Normal world of constant change and high unpredictability.
• How corporates can keep reinventing themselves into Phoenix companies, like Walmart, Microsoft, Amazon and Ping An have done before them.
• Understading the era of augmented intelligence: a profound and nuanced story of both the challenges and the immense potential of AI.
• Models of disruption and models of corporate innovation that work.
• The strategic, cultural and leadership foundations of innovation.

The Never Normal
We’re at a crossroads. Certainly since the COVID-19 crisis but even before that, we have been evolving into a world with many new types of disruptions. There’s this potent cocktail of global platforms, information, intelligence, and automation that is accelerating the pace of change. But technology is no longer the biggest driver of disruption. What’s coming at us is ecological, biological, societal and geopolitical in nature and this is just the beginning. These many disruptions are going to evolve into seismic shocks that will completely overturn how we live and work. Think about the rising sea levels we might experience the next decades. Or pandemics like COVID-19. Or the cold (trade) war between the US and China.

What we have to do now is prepare our organizations for these seismic shocks and their ensuing systemic shifts. Prepare them for an unpredictable world. Continuously changing consumer behavior, for instance, triggered a new way of performing business on the edge, permanently adapting. And so we have to become agile in capacity and resources. And this also means that we need a different type of skillset, different types of people and different types of organizations. Financial performance, too, has shifted, to one that is much more fluid and suitable for uncertainty.

This is a world in permanent flux. One where ‘normal’ keeps getting redefined. Are you ready for that? Is your organization? In this keynote, Peter Hinssen uncovers how companies, leaders and employees will need to adapt to survive and thrive in the Never Normal.

The Era of Augmented Intelligence
Everybody is talking about AI, but the discussion tends to center around the two extremes of hype or doomism. In this keynote filled with practical examples and cases, Peter Hinssen wants to demystify AI in order to provide his audience with a profound and nuanced story of both the challenges and the immense potential of this technology. These are the 4 pillars of his presentation:

1. Evolution of Artificial Intelligence – From Then to Tomorrow
2. Application of AI – Realities and Responsibilities
3. Implementing AI – Leveraging Power and Getting Started
4. Phoenix Potential – Transforming with the Power of AI

In this uniquely topical keynote, Peter starts by outlining the disruptive journey of Artificial Intelligence (AI) from its inception to the dawn of generative AI and beyond. He delves into some historical milestones, the resurgence of neural networks, and the advancements in machine learning and deep learning that have set the stage for the current era of AI. He also emphasizes the applications and implications of generative AI across various sectors, forecasting future innovations that promise to redefine the field.

Addressing the realities of AI, Peter debunks common myths, setting realistic expectations for AI’s capabilities and limitations. He highlights the challenges of interpretability, biases, and privacy concerns in AI applications, advocating for responsible use through effective governance and ethical frameworks. This segment of his keynote underscores the critical balance between innovation and ethical considerations in leveraging AI’s potential.

In guiding businesses on implementing AI, Peter provides a practical roadmap for leveraging AI to enhance operations, improve decision-making, and gain a competitive edge. He discusses assessing organizational readiness, selecting the right AI technologies, and fostering an AI-centric culture. The focus is on the strategic integration of AI, emphasizing data quality, model acquisition and overcoming operational and cultural challenges to foster innovation and growth.

Concluding with the transformative power of AI in this Never Normal era of constant change, Peter inspires businesses to embrace AI as a catalyst for radical innovation and continuous improvement. Through case studies of phoenix companies that have successfully leveraged AI, he illustrates its role in driving innovation, optimizing operations, and identifying market trends. In doing so, he encourages businesses to harness AI’s potential, turning their current challenges into opportunities for innovation and growth.

The Phoenix and the Unicorn
Unicorn start-ups are brilliant. But, let’s be honest, very few of us will start one, become one, or work for one. Most of us are connected to large companies that often struggle to keep themselves relevant for the ever-changing customer. That’s why this keynote is about a creature that’s just as magical but perhaps offers a more realistic inspiration: the Phoenix. These are the companies that – just like this mythical bird – are able to rethink themselves in cycles: time and time again they rise from the ashes of the old, and come out stronger than ever before. They are the Walmarts, the Volvos, the Disneys, the Apples, the Microsofts, the Ping Ans, the Assa Abloys and AT&Ts of this world.

This keynote is about understanding what is happening in a world of constant change. It’s about observing and trying to learn from the Unicorns. But primarily, it tells the story of how companies can ACT on their Day After Tomorrow, and how they can apply innovation as an antidote to a radically changing environment. It doesn’t just zoom in on WHAT you need to do in order to innovate, but also on HOW you can make innovation a reality in your organization.

From the deceivingly simple Hourglass model, to the types of innovation, company culture, organizational disruption, platforms, customer experience, organizational structure and many inspiring innovation cases: if you are working in a traditional business or market, this keynote will help you reinvent yourself like a Phoenix.

Testimonials

Once more, Peter offers a refreshing perspective and insight from the external landscape. With his profound understanding of technology, he excels as a speaker in bridging the realms of business and technology seamlessly. His keynote left my team thoroughly energized, captivated by his rhythm, conceptual clarity, and visionary outlook. Attending Peter’s presentations annually has become indispensable!”
– Gabriele Barbera, Head of Global Accounts Sales @ HP

“Peter is an inspirational and forward-thinking speaker with a unique storytelling delivery style.  His keynote presentation for our emerging leaders in technology was described by attendees as “mind-blowing”, “powerful”, “awesome”, “amazing” , “refreshing” and “captivating” .  We keep inviting Peter back!
– Tracie Kustra, Global Technology Strategic Talent Programs Lead @ Accenture

Peter Hinssen is a brilliant thinker and speaker who knows how to capture the current paradigm shifts like no other and articulates them with both depth and humor. Listening to him is like engaging in an immersive experience that turns you upside down and helps you remain wired to this definitely “Never Normal” environment. – Anne Thevenet-Abitbol, Prospective and New Concepts VP @ Danone

Our global team got together face to face for the 1st time after 18 months of remote work. We wanted to kick off our team retreat with an energizing, future and value focused, thought and action provoking speaker. Peter brought exactly this… with a triple bonus that made his intervention deeply memorable: humor, genuine interest in our work, and immediately actionable advice. – Jan Liska, Global Patient Experience Lead – Digital Healthcare @ Sanofi

Peter Hinssen’s Keynote at the EXA Infrastructure Kickoff meeting was a real rollercoaster ride: from technology to social and business model shifts, from futuristic vision to lessons learned. And when you think the ride is over, he takes you on another spin. Our audience was captivated and inspired at the same time, a real motivational blast!! – Cristina Crucini, Marketing Director @ EXA Infrastructure

He is the bestselling author of ‘The Serendipity Mindset’, a “wise, exciting, and life-changing book” (Arianna Huffington) that “offers excellent practical guidance for all” (Paul Polman, former CEO, Unilever) and is “highly recommended” (Reid Hoffman, Founder, LinkedIn).

He is a business professor at the USC Marshall School of Business and also teaches at the London School of Economics (LSE). He is a member of the World Economic Forum’s Expert Forum, among Capital’s “Top 40 under 40”, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, and on the Thinkers50 Radar list of the management thinkers “most likely to shape the future.”

He frequently speaks at conferences such as the World Economic Forum, TED/TEDx, and Financial Times Summit, and has worked with senior leadership teams at companies such as Siemens, GSK, DP World, MasterCard, Deloitte, General Electric, Unilever, UBS, and BCG. He received his PhD from the London School of Economics.

Talks:

Responsible Leadership In The 21st Century: The Integration of Profit and Purpose

Connecting the Dots: Cultivating Serendipity for Innovation, Impact and “Active Luck”

Making Life Meaningful In Corporate Structures

Innovating For The Future: How and Why Companies Need to Change

How to Cope With Uncertainty: Cultivating Serendipity in a Fast-Changing World

How to Create Your Own Good Luck

Adopted as the go-to manual by business leaders and universities alike, Webs Of Influence has been translated into 7 languages, and alongside her new book, Business Unusual: Values, Uncertainty and the Psychology of Brand Resilience, serves as the cornerstone for Nathalie’s work with clients including Google, Accenture, Unilever and Harvard Business Review, among others.

A popular speaker, consultant and facilitator to Fortune 500 companies, Nathalie has lectured at some of the world’s most prestigious institutions (from Cambridge and UCL universities, to Lund and Hult business schools), and her experience as a skilled communicator has seen her present at SXSW, host the Guardian Changing Media Summit and hold main stage interviews at the Web Summit.

Whether speaking to audiences of thousands, or leading executive roundtables for private clients, Nathalie’s ability to ignite conversation and offer tools and strategies with which to harness human potential, has helped countless organisations transform how they approach business.

From ethics and human behaviour to persuasive tech and what it means to be human in an age of AI, Nathalie addresses the specific challenges faced by larger, more diverse brands and organisations today, including: how to adapt to AI and automation, the psychological dynamics behind evolving consumer behaviours, the challenges of engaging millennials and Gen Z, how to harness self-determination, the move towards eudaimonic well-being, the role of social identity in social media, identifying and expressing values with coherence, ethics and integrity, resonant communication and marketing, brand resilience and reputation, and how to ethically apply behavioural science principles to enhance your platforms, content marketing, product design and customer experience.

Whether you’re looking to communicate more resonantly, engage people more persuasively or create cultures of integrity that better attract and retain both employees and customers, Nathalie’s insightful, actionable keynotes and workshops offer a robust roadmap to help you navigate uncertainty with greater skill and success.

A behavioural science advisor, Nathalie also hosts In Conversation with Nathalie Nahai, Guardian podcasts, and contributes to national publications, television and radio on the impact of technology in our lives. A guest lecturer on the “Transversal vision of artificial intelligence” for ELISAVA’s Masters programme in Human Interaction and AI, Nathalie is also the founder of Flourishing Futures Salon – intimate, curated evenings where 12 strangers gather over locally sourced food and wine to explore how we might orient towards life, beauty and meaning in difficult times.

Céline Schillinger is an award-winning French entrepreneur, change practitioner, and consultant. She has over 30 years of field experience, working with both small and global organizations across several continents. A solid track record on transformation informs Céline’s vision of change, engagement, and leadership. A blogger since 2013 and a TEDx speaker, she was knighted by the French government for her workplace change efforts. Lessons from her journey in change are captured in Céline’s first book: Dare to Un-Lead: The Art of Relational Leadership in a Fragmented World which received the 2022 Porchlight Leadership & Strategy Book of the Year and The Internet Time Alliance Award.

“Sweeping and intelligent, this book is an extraordinary contribution, deeply researched and penetratingly insightful. Céline Schillinger puts broad societal trends into historical perspective to explain the present moment.  She explains what’s at stake for the world and why it’s urgent that we act now.”

Amy Edmondson, Professor, Harvard Business School and best-selling author of The Fearless Organization and Teaming.

“With Dare to Un-Lead, Céline Schillinger masterfully captures the essence of the leadership revolution to come in a post-knowledge, post-disruption economy.”

Brice Challamel, Vice-President, Technology, Innovation & Transformation at Moderna

• Winner of the Porchlight Leadership & Strategy Book of the Year (2022)
• Winner of The Internet Time Alliance Award (2022)

Talk Topics and Themes

Celine’s presentations challenge conventional wisdom by offering a modern, human-centric approach to leadership and collective performance in a complex, fragmented world.

• Relational Leadership & The Art of Un-Leading: She empowers audiences to move beyond outdated, top-down leadership models. Her talks reveal how to foster a collective leadership capacity throughout an organization, creating a more sustainable and effective way to achieve shared goals.
• Mobilization & Network-Based Influence: Drawing from her extensive experience across continents and cultures, she provides a roadmap for mobilizing people to embrace change. Her talks explain how to leverage internal networks to build momentum, overcome resistance, and achieve large-scale transformation.
• Productive Conversations & Resonance in the Workplace: She emphasizes the critical role of meaningful dialogue and connection. Her talks provide actionable strategies for fostering productive conversations and building organizational resonance by leveraging innovative tools like artificial intelligence, data visualization, internal podcasts, and corporate radio.
• Collective Performance: Celine’s core message is about unlocking collective performance. She demonstrates how a focus on relational leadership and human connection can transform organizations into resilient, high-performing networks that are capable of navigating complexity and driving value.

Celine is a great storyteller. She brings concepts to life with a multitude of real-life stories and concrete examples, as well as her engaging personality. She inspires audiences of all kinds to embrace change and take action together.

Steven is an accomplished investor in the health and wellness space with notable investments including Huel – UK’s fastest growing e-commerce company internationally, ZOE – the personalised nutrition programme created by the world’s top scientists, and wearable technology brand WHOOP. Steven’s other investments focus on blockchain technologies, biotech, space, Web3 and social media.

Steven co-founded Flight Group – a media, marketing and investment company consisting of Flight Fund, Flight Ventures, Flight Story, Flight Studio, Flight Talent and Flight Tech.

Steven also co-founded thirdweb – a software platform backed by Shopify and Coinbase that makes it easy to build web3 applications.

In August 2023, Steven released his #1 Sunday Times best selling book, “The Diary of a CEO: The 33 Laws of Business and Life”. He joined the BBC’s hit TV business show Dragons’ Den for a third series, as the youngest ever Dragon in the show’s history.

Steven is particularly focused on inspiring a new generation of entrepreneurs and creators from a BAME background and much of his work after winning the “British Black Entrepreneur of the year” award focused on disadvantaged schools and communities. 

He has partnered with His Majesty’s Prison Service to distribute The Diary of a CEO podcast via their in-cell technology to motivate and encourage young adults. This year he has also partnered with The Ministry of Defence to distribute the podcast,offering key content in the health, wellness and motivational space tohelp educate and inspire UK Armed Forces and Defence personnel during training and on the front line.

Steven has been listed on the Powerlist, which captures the most influential Black Britons and aims to celebrate the achievements of the most influential people of African, African Caribbean and African American heritage in the UK.

Last year, Steven became an Advocate for Prince William’s charity programme, Homewards, spotlighting the positive role and impact businesses can have in demonstrating the possibility of ending homelessness in the UK.

Steven’s audience includes young aspiring entrepreneurs, creators, business leaders and high net-worth individuals.

He has PhD and MBA degrees in Business from the Richard Ivey School of Business, University of Western Ontario, and a BSc (Hons) from the University of Durham. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the Stockholm School of Economics, 2009.

He speaks on such issues as: Reinventing Management, Strategic Agility in Business, Game-Changing Innovation, Employee Engagement, Managing for Innovation, Entrepreneurial Leadership, and Cross-business Collaboration.

In his work at London Business School, Julian directs a one-week programme, Innovation: Making it Happen.

Professor Birkinshaw’s main area of expertise is in the strategy and organisation of large multinational corporations, and on such specific issues as subsidiary-headquarters relationships, corporate entrepreneurship, innovation, the changing role of the corporate  HQ, organisation design, and knowledge management. He is the author of fourteen books, including Fast/Forward (2017), Becoming a Better Boss (2013), Reinventing Management (2010), Giant Steps in Management (2007), Inventuring: Why Big Companies Must Think Small (2003), and Entrepreneurship in the Global Firm (2001), and over eighty articles. He is active as a consultant and executive educator to many large companies, including Arup, Rio Tinto, SAP, ABN AMRO, GSK, ABB, Ericsson, Kone, Exxon, WPP, Bombardier, Sara Lee, HSBC, Akzo Nobel, Roche, Thyssen Krupp, UBS, PWC, Coloplast, Tata Group, HCL Technologies, GE, BBC and Novo Nordisk.

Professor Birkinshaw was ranked 43^rd in the 2015 “Thinkers 50” list of the top global thinkers in the field of Management. He is regularly quoted in international media outlets, including CNN, BBC, The Economist, the Wall Street Journal, the Huffington Post, Bloomberg Business Week and The Times. He speaks regularly at business conferences in the UK, Europe, North America and Australia.

Fast Forward: Make Your Company Fit For The Future: 1st April 2017

Her particular areas of interest include the brain and behaviour, our emotional and rational neural networks, and how to improve our cognitive abilities in order to get the best out of our own and others’ brainpower. Helena has also researched the influence of cognitive biases and corporate psychopathy across different organisations. Recently, she investigated the impact of chronic, work-induced stress on brain function and published a book called Why We Do What We Do: Understanding Our Brain to Get the Best Out of Ourselves and Others.

She has spent the last 25 years working closely with businesses to define and design new initiatives, particularly in the areas of organisational behaviour, leadership and team development, intercultural communication, and organisational change. She has held senior talent management and organisation development positions within international companies and now works predominantly in the telecommunications, pharmaceutical and finance industries. She has delivered and co-ordinated tailored development in different countries in line with requisite capabilities and business requirements and created a reliable process for building a talent pipeline.

Helena believes in creating an energised and participative learning environment whilst at the same time treating people with sensitivity and respect. She has lived and worked in Switzerland and the US and now works extensively across the Middle East, Europe, US, Africa and Asia. Boschi works at all levels within organisations and also coaches senior executives.

With a deep commitment to ongoing research in current organisational and psychological trends, Helena possesses keen insight into best and evolving practices in learning, communication and leadership. A member of the British Psychological Society, she brings a scientific edge to the work she delivers and continues to apply the latest developments in the fields of psychology, neuroscience and behaviour to the organisational context.

TESTIMONIALS:

“It was a great pleasure to collaborate Helena on our Asian 2025 Forum. Helena’s speech was among the most powerful, memorable, and insightful sessions of the entire event – it truly inspired our audience and became one of the highlights of the forum”. – Altyn – BeWoman

“The session on neuroscience in the workplace was both enlightening and highly engaging, with enviable energy and a fun-filled approach Dr Helena Boschi delivered complex scientific insights in a way that was accessible, relevant, and directly applicable to our daily legal practice and our business needs. Our lawyers came away with a deeper understanding of how brain science can enhance decision-making, resilience, and performance. A truly valuable, fun, thought-provoking training session.” Sally – NBC

“Just a quick note to say a massive thank you for your talk at our Resilience Day yesterday. You kicked off the event with such energy and enthusiasm – it was contagious! Everyone’s still talking about it, and I’ve had so many people come up to me saying how much they enjoyed your session. You were definitely the star of the show! “
Hazel -Vodafone

TALK TOPICS AND THEMES:

The science of why, how and when we change – a fast-paced and fascinating view of:

• How and why people change
• Why the human brain naturally resists change, but how it is able to adapt
• Why skills of rapid adjustment and adaptation are the key to our success as a species
• How we can build on existing behaviours and routines to enable lasting change
• Why we need to understand and mobilise our reward network more e=ectively
• Why we need doubt to fuel curiosity and personal growth
• Why changing how we think leads to changing how we perceive the world
• 
  The innovative brain, a fun and stimulating look at:
• Our relationship with ‘new’ over the years and what innovation means
• How creativity is ignited through experimentation and divergent thinking
• Why adults stop being creative when they leave childhood
• The blessing and curse of expertise
• Why fear of rejection impedes innovative thinking
• How we must challenge assumptions and stretch our thinking
• Techniques to rewire connections and create the right conditions in the brain to invent
  Humans and machines
• 
  A thought-provoking session that explains:
• Notions of trust – and why we trust illogically
• The impact of AI and technology on how we treat each other
• The paradox of modern e=iciency
• How we view risk and why we decide to venture outside our comfort zone
• Reliance and over-reliance: AI and our lazy system
• Human imperatives in an increasing technological world
• The impact of deep fakes and how we now trust
• How to connect in an increasingly connected and disconnected world
  Riding the wellbeing wave
• 
  An interactive discussion about :
• How stress originates and manifests itself at work
• Why wellbeing is now trending as a topic
• The inner worlds that influence us
• How to recognise and address early warning signs of stress
• Why we need to understand and work with our chronotype and circadian rhythms
• The impact of food and exercise on brain activity
• Sleep: the perils and pitfalls of human arrogance
• Why social support is a critical protection against cognitive decline
• The importance of memory and what we must do in the modern world