Douglas McWilliams is one of Europe’s leading economists and most respected economic forecasters and analysts of UK and world economic trends. He is deputy chairman and founder of the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR), one of the UK’s leading commercial economics think tanks, and one of the top... Read more
Douglas McWilliams is one of Europe’s leading economists and most respected economic forecasters and analysts of UK and world economic trends. He is deputy chairman and founder of the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR), one of the UK’s leading commercial economics think tanks, and one of the top UK economic forecasting groups, with specialist knowledge of key industrial sectors including road and rail transport, retailing, cars, vans, trucks, property, construction, plastics and information technology.
McWilliams currently advises 25 of the FTSE companies on economic and business trends and the implications for their strategies. His clients also include most of the UK’s top retailers, four out of the UK’s top ten legal firms and some of the leading firms of accountants, including the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW). At a local level, McWilliams is the acknowledged expert on the economy of London and the prospects for the financial City of London.
He is famed for his communications skills and is one of the most widely quoted economists. He has a unique talent for being able to put across complex economic facts and forecasts in terms that can be understood by non-specialists. He has received multiple awards for forecasting.
McWilliams was Chief Economic Adviser to the Confederation of British Industry from 1988 to 1992. Previously he was IBM UK Chief Economist, and Chairman of the economics forecasting group of UNICE, the European federation of employers’ organisations from 1980 to 1985.
He was Visiting Professor at Kingston University Business School from 1988 to 1998, and a member of the Council of the Foundation for Manufacturing and Industry from 1993 to 1998, a member of the Council of the Institute for Fiscal Studies 1989-99. Co chairman of the UKs ’Growth Commission 2023-24; He was appointed the Gresham Professor of Commerce in 2012.
He is a regular contributor to various media outlets. He holds an MA in philosophy, politics and economics, and MPhil in economics, from the University of Oxford.
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You can book Douglas McWilliams through London Speaker Bureau by submitting the enquiry form on this page or calling our team. One of our consultants will respond promptly with Douglas's current availability, speaking fees and any specific requirements for your event.
Douglas McWilliams's speaking fees depend on the event format (in-person or virtual), the location, the length of the engagement and the level of customisation required. Please contact London Speaker Bureau for an up-to-date fee quote for Douglas tailored to your event.
Douglas McWilliams speaks on a range of business, leadership and industry subjects. Talks can be shaped around your audience, industry and strategic objectives - share your event brief with London Speaker Bureau and we will work with Douglas to align the content with your delegates and goals.
London Speaker Bureau can book Douglas McWilliams for events worldwide, subject to Douglas's schedule. Please send us your event date, location and format and we will confirm availability and handle travel and logistics on your behalf.
Virtual and hybrid keynotes are now a standard part of the speaking industry. Please contact London Speaker Bureau to confirm whether Douglas McWilliams is available to deliver a virtual session for your event and on which platform (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, a bespoke studio or your own).
Most keynote speeches run between 45 and 60 minutes, often followed by a 15-30 minute Q&A. Other formats - shorter conference slots, panel appearances or longer workshop sessions - may also be possible. Share your agenda with London Speaker Bureau and we will confirm what Douglas can accommodate.
London Speaker Bureau will brief Douglas McWilliams on your audience profile, sector and objectives so the keynote can be shaped around your event. The level of customisation possible depends on the speaker and the lead time - contact us with your brief and we will confirm what Douglas can offer.
Douglas McWilliams delivers keynotes in English. This profile may not list every language available; ask London Speaker Bureau to confirm. If you require simultaneous interpretation or a multilingual format, please mention this in your enquiry and London Speaker Bureau will arrange it for you.
Douglas McWilliams's areas of expertise include a range of business, leadership and industry subjects. To get a clear sense of Douglas's style, credentials and how they engage an audience, please review the biography, popular talks and any videos or testimonials shown on this page, or request a detailed speaker brief from London Speaker Bureau.
Douglas McWilliams can be booked through London Speaker Bureau for corporate conferences, leadership events, internal team meetings, association gatherings and private client engagements where expertise in a range of business, leadership and industry subjects is relevant. Details of Douglas's background and previous engagements are included in the biography above; contact us if you would like a more detailed list of past clients or case studies.
Beyond keynote speeches, many of the speakers on our roster also take part in workshops, executive masterclasses, panel discussions and fireside chats. Contact London Speaker Bureau with your preferred format and we will confirm what Douglas McWilliams is able to offer alongside or instead of a keynote.
We generally recommend enquiring at least three to twelve months in advance to secure your preferred date with Douglas McWilliams, particularly during peak conference seasons. Where possible we also accommodate shorter lead times - please contact London Speaker Bureau to check Douglas's current availability for your dates.