Tim Samuels

Tim Samuels is an award-winning documentary filmmaker, broadcaster and the go-to expert on men, masculinity and mental health. He has won three Royal Television Society awards, best documentary at the World Television Festival, and received Mind's prestigious Making A Difference award for his pioneering work on mental health. Creator and host of BBC 5 Live's Men's Hour and author of Who Stole My Spear?, Tim reports globally for the BBC and National Geographic Channel, tackling complex social issues through his distinctive, entertaining approach. His sessions equip audiences with fresh perspectives on modern masculinity, mental wellbeing and cultural change, delivered with wit, sensitivity and real-world insight.

When Tim Samuels formed the world's oldest rock band to highlight the plight of the elderly, he created something extraordinary. The Zimmers broke into the pop charts, reached number one on YouTube globally, were showcased at the United Nations and famously upstaged George Clooney on the Jay Leno show. That distinctive approach, turning serious social issues into compelling entertainment, has defined his career as a documentary filmmaker and broadcaster. From reporting in war zones to leading a guerrilla clean-up of Britain's hospitals, invading Trafalgar Square with abandoned soldiers, and demonstrating the transformative power of art therapy for veterans with PTSD, Tim has consistently deployed provocative, engaging methods to shine a light on stories that matter. His work has earned three Royal Television Society awards and best documentary at the World Television Festival in Banff, alongside recognition from the New York Festivals and Race in the Media Journalist of the Year.

Tim's credibility stems from his investigative roots at BBC Newsnight, where he won Young Journalist of the Year, combined with his evolution into one of the most distinctive voices in documentary broadcasting. As creator and host of Men's Hour on BBC 5 Live, the male counterpart to Woman's Hour, he has pioneered conversations around masculinity and mental wellbeing that were long overdue. His book Who Stole My Spear? examines the modern masculinity crisis and presciently tracked how frustrated men are driving radical politics worldwide. He has tackled immigration in the acclaimed The Poles Are Coming and The Great Big Romanian Invasion for BBC One, whilst reporting globally for National Geographic Channel on subjects ranging from US politics to stories across Australia, Pakistan, Iceland, Israel, Russia and Egypt. In 2013, Mind awarded him their prestigious Making A Difference award for his television and radio work, the first time it had been given to an individual. He has interviewed and chaired events with figures including Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders and Tony Blair, demonstrating his range as both investigator and facilitator.

As a keynote speaker and event host, Tim equips audiences with fresh perspectives on masculinity, mental health and cultural change through his trademark blend of wit, sensitivity and real-world insight. His ability to make complex social issues accessible and engaging translates powerfully to live events, where he challenges assumptions whilst creating space for genuine dialogue. Audiences leave with practical understanding of the forces shaping modern society, particularly around male mental wellbeing and identity, alongside the tools to foster more open, supportive cultures within their organisations. His vast presenting experience across television, radio and live events, combined with his thoughtful yet entertaining approach, ensures he delivers lasting impact whether delivering a keynote address or chairing a panel discussion.