Keynote Speaking

I’m a regular keynote speaker, panellist and event chair at conferences, book fairs, corporate events and universities around the world. I’ve spoken in more than a dozen countries, and I’m as comfortable opening a major industry conference as I am facilitating an intimate boardroom discussion.

What I speak about

My core topics sit at the intersection of AI, strategy and the future of knowledge-intensive industries:

AI and the future of publishing. How generative AI is reshaping how content is created, discovered, valued and monetised—and what publishers, authors and media companies should do about it. This is the subject I’m most frequently asked to speak on, and I tailor it to the audience, whether that’s trade publishers, academic and scholarly publishers, or authors and literary agents.

AI strategy for leaders. How senior leaders should think about AI—not as a technology project, but as a strategic question about judgement, decision-making and competitive advantage. This talk draws on the frameworks in my forthcoming book and is aimed at any leadership audience, not just publishing.

Scenario planning and strategic uncertainty. How to make good decisions when you can’t predict the future. I use practical scenario planning methods, adapted for organisations navigating technology disruption.

Digital transformation and innovation. The broader dynamics of technology-driven change in media, publishing and content businesses—drawing on my experience of two decades of digital disruption in the industry.

I’m happy to develop bespoke presentations for specific audiences and events. I can also chair panel sessions and facilitate audience discussions.

What organisers say

“George was exceptional — knowledgeable, engaging and perfectly pitched for our audience.”

“An excellent event, which you ran with aplomb. One of the best panels we have had.”

Upcoming Speaking Engagements

Past Speaking Engagements

2026

  • 🇬🇧 18 March 2026: Keynote at ALPSP University Press Redux Conference, Liverpool
  • 🇪🇸 19 February 2026: Presentation on AI and audiobook publishing, Parix Audio Day, Madrid
  • 🇬🇧 11 February 2026: Presentation on AI skills, and panellist for discussion on the AI and policy environment, at the Independent Publishers Guild Spring Conference

2025

  • 🇮🇪 14 November 2025: Keynote address on AI and publishing, Irish Publishers Conference, Dublin
  • 🇺🇸 30 September 2025: Panellist for BISG Webinar on AI and ethics in the publishing industry
  • 🇬🇧 16 September 2025: Chairing panel on AI and GEO at the Independent Publishers Guild Autumn Conference
  • 🇬🇧 3 July 2025: Presentation at the Publishers Licensing Services conference
  • 🇬🇧 5 June 2025: Panelist for Open Institutional Publishing Association webinar on AI and publishing
  • 🇬🇧 29 March 2025: Masterclass on AI and writing for the Arvon Foundation
  • 🇪🇸 20 March 2025: Presentation on AI and publishing, Parix IA, Madrid
  • 🇬🇧 14 March 2025: Presentation on AI and publishing, Oxford International Centre for Publishing event for Chinese publishers at Robinson College, Cambridge
  • 🇬🇧 25 February 2025: Chairing a panel on AI in Publishing at the Independent Publishers Guild Spring Conference with Ed Newton-Rex of Fairly Trained and Will Crook of Publishers Licensing Services
  • 🇨🇦 20 February 2025: Update and online Q&A on AI and publishing to Booknet Canada
  • 🇸🇪 19 February 2025: Delivering a webinar presentation on AI and publishing for the Swedish Publishers Association

2024

2023

2022

  • 🇬🇧 31 October 2022: Organising and introducing a joint event on new developments in bookselling hosted by the Stationers Company and Byte the Book

2021

  • 🇬🇧 19 November 2021: Chairing a panel on audio publishing at The Bookseller Futurebook conference
  • 🇬🇧 8 July 2021: Chairing an online panel on audio publishing for the Stationers Company

2019

  • 🇬🇧 28 November 2019: Guest lecture on Mergers & Acquisitions in Publishing, University College, London

2016

  • 🇬🇧 3 March 2016: Presentation at Westminster Media Forum on competing in the wider content economy
  • 🇬🇧 22 November 2016: Presentation on the publishing landscape to the Society of Authors AGM

2015

  • 🇯🇲 3-4 November 2015: Two presentations at the Online Mind conference, Kingston, Jamaica
  • 🇬🇧 1 December 2015: Presentation to BIC Breakfast event on meaningful metadata

2014

  • 🇬🇧 10 February 2014: Panellist at Byte the Book event on publishing commercial models
  • 🇬🇧 6 April 2014: Panellist at Read Ahead event at Freeword Centre

2013

  • 🇬🇧 24 September 2013: Panellist at Publish! New Adventures in Innovation conference at St Bride’s Foundation
  • 🇬🇧 21 November 2013: Presentation at The Bookseller Futurebook conference

2012

  • 🇳🇴 15 November 2012: Presentation at Digital Winners Conference, Telenor, Oslo
  • 🇸🇦 10 March 2012: Presentation at Riyadh Book Fair
  • 🇬🇧 9 February 2012: Guest lecture on Digital Publishing at University College, London

2011

  • 🇷🇺 7 September 2011: Presentation at Moscow Book Fair
  • 🇬🇧 21 June 2011: Presentation at Publishers Launch conference on the development of global digital publishing infrastructure
  • 🇬🇧 16 June 2011: Presentation at The Bookseller Futurebook conference
  • 🇬🇧 19 May 2011: Panellist at Westminster Media Forum discussion of the UK publishing industry
  • 🇦🇷 1-5 May 2011: Visit to Argentina sponsored by the British Council, including presentations at the Buenos Aires Book Fair, the University of Buenos Aires and Universidad Torcuato Di Tella

2010

  • 🇬🇧 30 November 2010: Presentation to BIC on the Digital Landscape
  • 🇬🇧 19 May 2010: Presentation at the Marsh Communications, Media and Technology Conference
  • 🇬🇧 18 April 2010: Presentation at the London Book Fair Digital Conference
  • 🇬🇧 26 January 2010: Presentation at the Publishers Association Digital Publishing Forum

2009

  • 🇬🇧 10 November 2009: Presentation at the Publishers Association International Conference
  • 🇬🇧 2 November 2009: Presentation at The Bookseller conference
  • 🇩🇪 13 October 2009: Presentation at Tools of Change Frankfurt