Ben Legg is a respected expert on artificial intelligence and the future of work, helping CEOs and investors stay ahead as businesses transition towards an AI-first future. A former COO of Google Europe and a three-time private equity-backed technology CEO, he is the Founder and CEO of Digital People, where he advises senior leaders on building agentic organisations and navigating a future in which intelligent systems may outnumber human employees. He is also a trusted voice among institutional investors, providing operator-level insight into where value is being created and lost across the technology landscape.
A former British Army officer, Ben served with the Royal Engineers and played a significant role in the humanitarian response during the Siege of Sarajevo. Trained as an engineer, he began his civilian career as a Strategy Consultant at McKinsey & Company before joining The Coca-Cola Company. There, he held leadership positions spanning strategy, marketing and sales across Greece, Poland and India, ultimately spearheading the turnaround of Coca-Cola India. His success led to Google, where, as COO of Google Europe, he developed the commercial framework for Search, YouTube, Maps and Mobile, an approach that continues to influence many of today’s largest technology platforms.
Since 2010, Ben has led multiple international technology businesses as a private equity-backed CEO, including Adknowledge, AdParlor and European Directories, and has also served as Managing Director of Ola UK. Today he remains deeply involved in shaping the future of business through Digital People. He works directly with five to ten senior executives each week, advising everyone from FTSE 100 boards and private equity firms to major global technology companies. He also monitors more than $1.2 billion in annual digital advertising spend across over 300 organisations. Known for identifying major industry shifts before they become mainstream, from the limited impact of GDPR on digital growth to the emergence of AI-powered micro-businesses, Ben combines strategic foresight with hands-on experience, actively building and experimenting with AI technologies every day.
Ben is the author of the award-winning book 'Marketing for CEOs: Death or Glory in the Digital Age'. His client portfolio includes organisations such as Novo Nordisk, CVC, Tesco, DHL, AstraZeneca, Deloitte and SCG. He has delivered keynote presentations at events ranging from the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity to Chief Disruptor, as well as speaking at internal leadership gatherings for Google, Coca-Cola, McKinsey and Samsung. A frequent contributor to Bloomberg, the BBC, the Financial Times and The Times, he has advised hundreds of CEOs, boards and government leaders around the world. Having lived in nine countries and worked in more than 60, Ben offers a uniquely international perspective and depth of business experience. Book Ben Legg for your next event today through The Motivational Speakers Agency.
