Nick Leeson Biography
Nick Leeson aka the 'rogue trader' is a hugely popular after dinner and conference speaker. Curiosity, intrigue and sympathy are the primary reactions to this man's incredible life story. The collapse of Barings bank and Nick Leeson’s role in it is one of the most spectacular debacles in modern financial history.
How could one trader bring down the banking empire that had funded the Napoleonic Wars? Nick Leeson, the young gambler who found himself sucked into a terrifying spiral of loss, was a working class boy who lived high in an upper class world until his unchecked gambling caused the downfall of Barings, the Banker to the English Peerage, causing chaos in the Singaporean money market. Markets have always been cruel but rarely have they been so cruel, so swiftly and on such a grand scale. Nick talks frankly about what happened, the lack of accounting safeguards, his capture and confinement for 9 months in a Frankfurt prison and being sentenced to 6 ½ years by the Singaporean court for forgery and cheating.
Nick is a hugely popular after dinner speaker and travels extensively on speaking engagements. He provides a unique opportunity for people to meet and question the main participant in arguably the largest banking scandal that the world has ever witnessed. The story also has a number of human interest aspects that will astound any audience – it is not restricted to the world of suits and power lunches.
More recent cases such as UBS, Allied Irish Bank, the National Australia Bank scandal and Societe Generale simply highlight that loopholes haven't been closed. Nick Leeson is expertly placed to provide consultancy on risk management, compliance and corporate responsibility.
"Rogue trading is probably a daily occurrence amongst the financial markets. Not enough focus goes on those risk management areas, those compliance areas, those settlement areas, that can ultimately save them money." -Nick Leeson
Nick speaks to financial institutions, banks and businesses around the world. He also addresses universities and conferences.
Speaking Topics
Nick Leeson a.k.a. the ‘rogue trader’ is a charismatic, honest and enthralling after dinner speaker.
- Finance & Economics
- Security & Risk
For further information or to book Nick Leeson, call us at Speakers Corner on +44 (0)20 7607 7070 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
Nick Leeson Video
Nick Leeson Speaker Showreel - Click play to watch a short sample video clip of Nick Leeson. For more information on Nick Leeson please contact one of the Speakers Corner booking agents on +44 (0)20 7607 7070 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
Nick Leeson News
A selection of relevant news related to Nick Leeson, After Dinner Speakers and Keynote Speakers, Business Speakers, Finance & Economics and Security & Risk stories. For more information on Nick Leeson or details as to how to book Nick Leeson for your corporate event, please contact one of the Speakers Corner booking agents on +44 (0)20 7607 7070 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
Nick Leeson Tells His Story
26th September 2011
Nick Leeson, the original ‘rogue trader’ and charismatic after dinner speaker, talks to The Independent in the wake of recent events at Swiss bank UBS.
Nick Leeson Graces Front of HR Magazine
14th June 2011
Nick Leeson, aka ‘the rogue trader’, graces the front cover of HR magazine for a frank and open feature on his role in one of the most spectacular financial crises in modern history. Now a highly adept and sought after conference speaker and after dinner speaker, Leeson’s life story is inspirational and beguiling.
Dambisa Moyo Talks about the World’s Resources and the West
16th May 2013
Economist and keynote speaker, Dambisa Moyo has expressed her views on the world’s resources and where she believes the West stand on the matter.
The Apprentice Returns for 2013
8th May 2013
The 2013 series of The Apprentice has begun and Lord Alan Sugar had this year’s hopefuls selling a host of items including toilet roll, high visibility jackets and Chinese lucky cat statuettes.
Self-Help Books; A Billion Dollar Industry
30th April 2013
Self-help books are increasingly popular among the British public than ever before and an increased number of us are turning to self help books in the hope that they will solve lives problems.
Danny Cohen Appointed Director of BBC Television
25th April 2013
It has been announced that BBC One Controller, Danny Cohen has been appointed as Director of BBC Television.
Jasmine Birtles Teaches Companies How to Save
23rd April 2013
Financial expert and TV presenter, Jasmine Birtles, is teaching companies how to stay rich without really trying.
Mike Forde Links Business to Football
18th April 2013
Business speaker and one of the UK’s leading sports executives, Mike Forde has compared the ideas and practices used in professional football to those used in business environments.
Willie Harcourt Cooze Releases New Chocolate Range
16th April 2013
Entrepreneur and star of Channel 4 show ‘Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory’, Willie Harcourt Cooze, has recently released a new range of chocolate desserts and gifts, which are now available all over the UK.
Sir Terry Leahy Adjusts to Life After Tesco
11th April 2013
Business speaker and former CEO of Tesco, Sir Terry Leahy stepped down from his position at Tesco in 2011 at the age of 55, he has since started working with several charities, invested in small businesses and written a book.
Nick Leeson Reviews
Nick Leeson has spoken and appeared at a number of recent corporate events. Please find some client speaker testimonials and reviews for Nick Leeson for a number of these events and conferences. If you would like some additional information as to how to book Nick Leeson for your corporate event, then please contact one of the Speakers Corner booking agents on +44 (0)20 7607 7070 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
Nick spoke very openly and candidly about his experiences which made him very likeable. I watched the delegates when he was speaking and he totally captured everyone's attention. It was also great for Nick to take questions from the floor - you never quite know what you're going to get. Really good job!
Nick Leeson gave one of the most interesting and thought-provoking talks of the weekend with his personal account of how he brought the UK's oldest investment bank, Barings Bank to collapse through his fraudulent speculation.
Nick Leeson was excellent on the day, very frank, open and honest and allowed for a substantial Q&A session which was very well received at the event. We would have no hesitation in recommending Nick to other organisations such as ourselves.
Once again, I wanted to thank Nick Leeson for coming to speak at our Financial Services Away-Day. Speaking to my colleagues afterwards, they all enjoyed his very timely observations about the continued challenges of risk management at many leading financial institutions. Nick Leeson's talk also fitted in very well with our own internal discussions about how we can best help our clients in these times of economic uncertainty.
Thank you for coming to speak to us at our first ever Business Show. The minute you stood on the stage and started to speak, the audience was gripped. The life story which you had to tell us was a remarkable one and contained everything a Hollywood film would have. The connection you made was instant, which is not something easily accomplished.
We found Mr Leeson to be an excellent speaker, who added to the quality and debate of our event, delivering on all promises especially on his openness and willingness to field all manner of questions from our audience of auditors and fraud investigators.
For further information or to book Nick Leeson, call us on +44 (0)20 7607 7070 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
Other speakers you might like
James Timpson
James Timpson is Managing Director of Timpson, the UK's largest shoe repairer, key cutter, engraver and watch repairer.
Hans Blix
Hans Blix rose to the world's attention as Chairman of the International Commission on Weapons of Mass Destruction.
Robin Sieger
Former BBC Head of Light Entertainment & author of 'Natural Born Winners', Robin is a powerfully motivating and humorous speaker
Frances Cairncross
Frances is Rector of Exeter College, Oxford University. She was former managing editor of the Economist, an author and has chaired conferences worldwide


