Simon Fraser recently completed five years as Permanent Secretary at the UK Foreign Office (FCO) and Head of the UK Diplomatic Service. This crowned a public service career in which he also served as Permanent Secretary at the UK Business Department and in Brussels as Chief of Staff to EU... Read more
Simon Fraser recently completed five years as Permanent Secretary at the UK Foreign Office (FCO) and Head of the UK Diplomatic Service. This crowned a public service career in which he also served as Permanent Secretary at the UK Business Department and in Brussels as Chief of Staff to EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson.
Simon has worked at the top levels of international diplomacy, trade and economic policy and the European Union. He has specialised in operating at the interface between government and business. He sat for five years on the UK National Security Council. An Arabic speaker, he spent the early years of his career in the British Embassies in Iraq and Syria.
Simon is fascinated by the challenges of leadership in complex organisations. At the FCO he led a global network of 14,000 people in 168 countries. Through his Diplomatic Excellence programme of reforms focussed on policy, people and network, he rebuilt the confidence of the institution. He opened or upgraded 15 embassies and created 300 new diplomatic jobs in emerging markets, while taking 25% out of FCO running costs and achieving the highest staff engagement score of any major UK government department.
In 2009 Simon led one of Whitehall’s most complex organisational change programmes, merging two departments to create the new Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS), with a budget of £20 billion and the policy lead on business, regulation, higher education, science and skills.
Simon believes that the keys to successful leadership are a commitment to excellence, personal integrity, clear vision, compelling communication and above all relationships of trust and respect with other people. In 2014/15 he was the UK Civil Service’s champion for inclusion and diversity. He argues that high performing organisations benefit from a workforce with different experience, backgrounds and ways of thinking, and that diverse leadership teams make better decisions.
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You can book Simon Fraser through London Speaker Bureau by submitting the enquiry form on this page or calling our team. One of our consultants will respond promptly with Simon's current availability, speaking fees and any specific requirements for your event.
Simon Fraser'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 Simon tailored to your event.
Simon Fraser speaks on Brexit, Government & Politics. Talks can be shaped around your audience, industry and strategic objectives - share your event brief with London Speaker Bureau and we will work with Simon to align the content with your delegates and goals.
London Speaker Bureau can book Simon Fraser for events worldwide, subject to Simon'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 Simon Fraser 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 Simon can accommodate.
London Speaker Bureau will brief Simon Fraser 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 Simon can offer.
Simon Fraser 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.
Simon Fraser's areas of expertise include Brexit, Government & Politics. To get a clear sense of Simon'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.
Simon Fraser can be booked through London Speaker Bureau for corporate conferences, leadership events, internal team meetings, association gatherings and private client engagements where expertise in Brexit, Government & Politics is relevant. Details of Simon'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 Simon Fraser 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 Simon Fraser, particularly during peak conference seasons. Where possible we also accommodate shorter lead times - please contact London Speaker Bureau to check Simon's current availability for your dates.