Rory Cormac

Professor Rory Cormac is an expert in secret intelligence, covert operations, and the hidden machinery of statecraft. His latest book, Fakers (2026), uncovers Britain's Cold War forgery empire through 8,000 newly declassified files, joining acclaimed works including How to Stage a Coup and Disrupt and Deny. His research regularly features on BBC Radio 4 and Channel 4 documentaries, and he has advised audiences from 10 Downing Street to the Pentagon. Rory equips organisations with sharp insights into disinformation, resilience to sabotage, and the covert forces shaping global events, translating historical intelligence operations into practical lessons for navigating modern strategic challenges.

When 8,000 newly declassified files landed on Professor Rory Cormac's desk, they revealed a story too explosive to ignore: Britain's secret Cold War forgery empire, a clandestine operation involving refugees, journalists, and maverick creatives who manipulated global events from the shadows. That discovery became the foundation for his latest book, Fakers (2026), a deeply researched account of phantom organisations, invented personas, and audacious propaganda schemes that ranged from comically absurd to dangerously controversial. Over six years of meticulous research, Rory uncovered operational details he never expected to see released, transforming what began as a short article into a gripping exploration of disinformation at its most sophisticated.

As Professor of International Relations at the University of Nottingham, Rory has established himself as one of the UK's leading historians of secret intelligence and covert action. His previous works, including How to Stage a Coup (2022), Disrupt and Deny (2018), and Spying and the Crown (2021), co-authored with Richard Aldrich, have shaped public understanding of the hidden machinery of statecraft. His research regularly features on BBC Radio 4, where it has been adapted into documentaries such as MI6's Secret Slush Fund, and he has co-presented historical documentaries for Channel 4, including The Queen and the Coup (2020). Beyond academia, Rory has advised senior audiences at 10 Downing Street, the Cabinet Office, the Home Office, and in the United States, the Pentagon and State Department, demonstrating his ability to translate historical intelligence operations into strategic insights for contemporary decision-makers.

Rory speaks at major literary festivals and corporate events, equipping audiences with practical lessons drawn from decades of covert operations. His talks on resilience to sabotage, covert economic operations, and the role of industry in intelligence work offer organisations timely perspectives on navigating disinformation, strategic deception, and modern security challenges. Whether addressing audiences at Bletchley Park, where he regularly returns to celebrate historical milestones, or at events such as the Nevill Holt Festival, Rory connects past secrets to present crises with clarity and precision. His ability to make complex intelligence history accessible and actionable ensures audiences leave with tangible tools for understanding the hidden forces shaping global events and the strategic thinking required to respond effectively.