Ed Gillespie is a polymathic serial investor, futurist, podcaster, poet and sustainability expert. He pivoted from leading Futerra, the change agency he cofounded in 2001, to a full-time career as a responsible leadership facilitator, communicator and speaker. Ed has advised multinationals and governments on climate change and sustainability, served on the boards of companies and institutions, including Greenpeace UK. Ed, who describes his speaking style as “shoot from the hip,” is also a serial investor and has backed many successful sustainable startups. ... Read more
Ed Gillespie - Reel
How We're Going to Solve Climate Change - Ed Gillespie | Ed Gillespie | TEDxKingsCross
🌍 Ed Gillespie, Sustainability Futurist | Fixing the future, CCCB, Barcelona 2018
Ed Gillespie is a serial entrepreneur, podcaster and futurist who focuses on sustainability and innovation. He is an expert communicator with an ability to unpack the complex issues facing the world, such as climate change or the disruption of AI, and present them to a non-specialist audience. Ed’s real talent is taking the interconnected ‘metacrises’ we face, and the threat of societal collapse, and explaining them in compelling and accessible ways for possible resolutions, and what sort of leadership might be required to get us there.
Ed Gillespie is a creative writer and his book Only Planet: A Flight-Free Adventure Around the World, was published following his popular Guardian/Observer column The Slow Traveller. He has also published three volumes of poetry.
In 2001 Ed co-founded Futerra, one of the world’s first sustainability agencies, which advised corporations on strategy and communications, but in 2019 he stepped back in order to focus on his speaking career. Ed’s style is lively and combative and he is an experienced Chairperson, keynote speaker, compère and moderator. Recent engagements include the U.N., The World Bank, KPMG, CBRE, PWC and the European Space Agency, and he gave the inaugural Bonn Speech on Global Transformation for the German Government.
Ed, who began his career in marine biology, is also a senior facilitator in responsible leadership at the Forward Institute and has held a number of directorships and senior advisory positions, including Chief Futurist at the Global Destination Sustainability Movement. He is a former director of Greenpeace UK and a trustee of Onboard:Earth and Out There Arts.
Ed has invested in many sustainable businesses and startups. These include successful exits from Loco2.com (which was sold in 2018 and renamed Rail Europe), Breakroom and Engaged Tracking and ongoing investment in CUR8, Piclo, Bennamann, Common Objective, Demand Logic, Byway and FLOWN.
Ed is a popular podcaster, co-hosting Jon Richardson and the Futurenauts – How to survive the Apocalypse alongside fellow Futurenaut Mark Stevenson and comedian Jon Richardson. He also presents The Great Humbling alongside Dougald Hine. He is a prolific poet who has dabbled in stand-up comedy and believes that the power of creative writing can unleash deep change in our world.
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You can book Ed Gillespie through London Speaker Bureau by submitting the enquiry form on this page or calling our team. One of our consultants will respond promptly with Ed's current availability, speaking fees and any specific requirements for your event.
Ed Gillespie'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 Ed tailored to your event.
Ed Gillespie speaks on Big Data, Business & Management, Climate, Future, Future & Technology. Talks can be shaped around your audience, industry and strategic objectives - share your event brief with London Speaker Bureau and we will work with Ed to align the content with your delegates and goals.
London Speaker Bureau can book Ed Gillespie for events worldwide, subject to Ed'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 Ed Gillespie 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 Ed can accommodate.
London Speaker Bureau will brief Ed Gillespie 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 Ed can offer.
Ed Gillespie 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.
Ed Gillespie's areas of expertise include Big Data, Business & Management, Climate, Future, Future & Technology. To get a clear sense of Ed'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.
Ed Gillespie can be booked through London Speaker Bureau for corporate conferences, leadership events, internal team meetings, association gatherings and private client engagements where expertise in Big Data, Business & Management, Climate, Future, Future & Technology is relevant. Details of Ed'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 Ed Gillespie 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 Ed Gillespie, particularly during peak conference seasons. Where possible we also accommodate shorter lead times - please contact London Speaker Bureau to check Ed's current availability for your dates.