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Keynote SpeakerRichard Behar

Acclaimed International Business Investigative Journalist and Author

Richard Behar, the Contributing Editor of Investigations for Forbes magazine, was called “one of the most dogged of our watchdogs” by the late Jack Anderson, a founding father of modern investigative reporting. Over a four-decade career, he has tackled it all — from planet-altering crimes in China to transnational business mafias in Russia; from Donald Trump’s business dealings with a mob-connected hustler to fraud on Wall Street; ... Read more

Watch Richard Behar in action

Popular Talks by Richard Behar

  • The Final Word on Madoff—and How to Spot the Scams of Tomorrow

    Behar’s groundbreaking book “Madoff: The Final Word—published in 2024 by Simon & Schuster—exposes complicity and wrongdoing by the con man’s family members, who are routinely portrayed elsewhere as innocent victims. Behar also established that the fraud began in the early 1960s, when Madoff started on Wall Street. His relationship with…
  • How Corporate and Government Cybersecurity Is Failing—and What You Must Do About It

    Richard Behar speaks about what businesses and governments are doing (and not doing) to secure computers, which is essential to national security given that we all are now interconnected. He wrote a definitive story for Forbes magazine (May 2016) about a clandestine cybersecurity military squad in Israel called “Unit 8200.”…
  • Capitalism in a Cold Climate: Navigating Russia’s Risk-Loaded Business Landscape

    How can Western businesses work and compete in today’s Russia—a country where some of the hottest trends are still intellectual-property “squatting,” raiding companies with armed private-security forces, “commissioning” criminal prosecutions for competitive advantages, and engaging in collusive litigation? How can investors learn what is truly going on in a country…

Biography

Richard Behar has garnered over 20 journalism awards and was called “one of the most dogged of our watchdogs” by Jack Anderson—a founding father of modern investigative reporting. His groundbreaking book “Madoff: The Final Word” was published in 2024 by Simon & Schuster. (Bernie Madoff ran history’s largest—$68 billion—and longest-running fraud. Behar exposed complicity and wrongdoing by family members.)

From 1982-2004, Behar worked on the staffs of Forbes, Time and Fortune magazines. He has also done assignments for the BBC, CNN, and PBS. He launched a media alliance probing the 2004 Moscow murder of Forbes editor Paul Klebnikov. (Members include Bloomberg, The Economist, and Forbes.) In 2011, he returned to Forbes as a contributing editor, and is one of the narrators of an upcoming docuseries on organized crime in the former Soviet Union.

Awards include the Gerald Loeb, George Polk (twice), National Magazine, and Overseas Press Club (twice) on subjects ranging from terror financing in Karachi to corporate wrongdoing on Wall Street, from China’s economic invasion of Africa to the Russian mob in Siberia. Behar was named one of the 100 top business journalists of the 20th century by The Journalist and Financial Reporter. He received the rarely bestowed Conscience-in-Media Award for “singular commitment to the highest principles of journalism at notable personal cost” from the American Society of Journalists and Authors—for a Time cover story on Scientology. In 2001, he was named “Business Journalist of the Year” by the Corporation of London (the city’s governing body) for two Fortune articles, including an exposé of the Russia aluminum empire of the billionaire Reuben brothers.

In 2002, as part of CNN’s Investigation Team, Behar received the National Headliner Award for “outstanding continuing coverage of attacks on America and their aftermath.” He exposed a leader of the 9-11 attacks, and is the only known journalist to have read the “Phoenix Memo,” the FBI document that warned about bin Laden supporters enrolling in flight schools.

His stories have also ranged from Israeli-Palestinian high-tech joint ventures to anti-Israel media bias; from World Bank corruption to China-sponsored cyber espionage to Donald Trump’s business dealings with a mob-connected felon. In 2017, he filed a federal lawsuit seeking U.S. Secret Service records cataloguing visits to Trump during the 2015 presidential campaign. A judge required their disclosure; it was reversed on appeal and, in 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the case.

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How to book Richard Behar as a keynote speaker

How do I book Richard Behar for a keynote speech?

You can book Richard Behar through London Speaker Bureau by submitting the enquiry form on this page or calling our team. One of our consultants will respond promptly with Richard's current availability, speaking fees and any specific requirements for your event.

What are Richard Behar's speaking fees?

Richard Behar'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 Richard tailored to your event.

What topics does Richard Behar speak about?

Richard Behar speaks on Authors, Conflict Resolution, Geopolitics, Society & Education. Talks can be shaped around your audience, industry and strategic objectives - share your event brief with London Speaker Bureau and we will work with Richard to align the content with your delegates and goals.

Is Richard Behar available for international events?

London Speaker Bureau can book Richard Behar for events worldwide, subject to Richard's schedule. Please send us your event date, location and format and we will confirm availability and handle travel and logistics on your behalf.

Does Richard Behar deliver virtual or online keynotes?

Virtual and hybrid keynotes are now a standard part of the speaking industry. Please contact London Speaker Bureau to confirm whether Richard Behar is available to deliver a virtual session for your event and on which platform (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, a bespoke studio or your own).

How long is a typical keynote by Richard Behar?

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 Richard can accommodate.

Can Richard Behar tailor the keynote to our industry and audience?

London Speaker Bureau will brief Richard Behar 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 Richard can offer.

What languages does Richard Behar present in?

Richard Behar 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.

What makes Richard Behar a strong fit as a keynote speaker?

Richard Behar's areas of expertise include Authors, Conflict Resolution, Geopolitics, Society & Education. To get a clear sense of Richard'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.

What kind of events can Richard Behar speak at?

Richard Behar can be booked through London Speaker Bureau for corporate conferences, leadership events, internal team meetings, association gatherings and private client engagements where expertise in Authors, Conflict Resolution, Geopolitics, Society & Education is relevant. Details of Richard'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.

Does Richard Behar offer workshops, panels or fireside chats in addition to keynotes?

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 Richard Behar is able to offer alongside or instead of a keynote.

How far in advance should we book Richard Behar?

We generally recommend enquiring at least three to twelve months in advance to secure your preferred date with Richard Behar, particularly during peak conference seasons. Where possible we also accommodate shorter lead times - please contact London Speaker Bureau to check Richard's current availability for your dates.