John Kampfner

Understanding how Britain and Europe navigate global upheaval requires insight from someone who has spent decades at the intersection of media, politics and international affairs. John Kampfner brings unmatched perspective as a journalist, author and broadcaster, having reported from the fall of the Berlin Wall, served as Editor of the New Statesman, and now leading Chatham House's UK in the World project. His forthcoming book, Braver New World, and regular commentary for The Times, Guardian and Politico help audiences grasp complex geopolitical shifts with clarity and authority. Through his sessions, organisations gain practical frameworks for understanding diplomatic challenges, European relations and Britain's evolving role on the world stage.

Leaders navigating geopolitical upheaval, democratic fragility, and shifting global alliances need insight that connects historical perspective with urgent contemporary challenges. John Kampfner is a journalist, author, and broadcaster whose expertise spans media, politics, international affairs, and culture. With a career built on frontline reporting and influential leadership roles, he specialises in helping organisations understand the forces reshaping Britain's place in the world and the choices facing democracies in an age of disruption.

John's credentials are rooted in direct experience of pivotal moments in modern history. He began as a foreign correspondent for the Daily Telegraph in East Berlin, reporting on the fall of the Wall and German unification, before moving to Moscow to cover the collapse of Soviet Communism. As Chief Political Correspondent at the Financial Times and later Editor of the New Statesman, where he achieved 30-year circulation highs and was named Current Affairs Editor of the Year in 2006, he established himself as a sharp analyst of power and policy. His award-winning journalism includes the Foreign Press Association's Journalist of the Year in 2002 for his BBC film on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Beyond media, John has served as Chief Executive of the Creative Industries Federation, founded and chaired Turner Contemporary for eight years, and currently leads Chatham House's UK in the World project, drawing fresh ideas for Britain's role amid global transformation. He writes weekly for The Times, contributes regularly to the Financial Times and Guardian, and appears frequently on the BBC and Sky News. Fluent in German and Russian, he brings linguistic and cultural depth to his analysis of European politics and transatlantic relations.

John's forthcoming book, Braver New World: The Countries Daring to Do Things Others Won't, published by Atlantic in April, examines nations taking bold approaches to governance and policy in uncertain times. His previous works, including the bestselling Blair's Wars, now a standard school text, and Why the Germans Do It Better, demonstrate his ability to distil complex political realities into accessible, actionable insight. Audiences leave his talks with clarity on the strategic choices facing governments, businesses, and civil society, equipped to navigate volatility with informed confidence. Whether addressing diplomatic strategy, European cohesion, or the resilience of democratic institutions, John connects past lessons to present imperatives, empowering leaders to make decisions grounded in both principle and pragmatism.