Chris Sanderson is a globally respected trend forecaster and brand strategist, best known as the Co-Founder and CEO of The Future Laboratory, a leading consultancy that helps organisations understand change and prepare for what comes next. With a rare ability to decode cultural shifts and translate them into clear commercial opportunities, Chris has become a trusted voice for leaders navigating uncertainty. His work sits at the intersection of consumer behaviour, innovation and brand strategy, enabling audiences to better understand how people think, buy and live, and how businesses must evolve in response.
Chris’s career began in communications, education and brand storytelling, experiences that laid the foundations for his authority in forecasting. He held senior roles including UK Communications Director for the global surfwear brand Quiksilver, where he gained first-hand insight into youth culture, lifestyle branding and international markets. Alongside this, he lectured in visual communication at the University of the Arts in London, sharpening his ability to analyse visual culture and emerging design language. These combined perspectives from industry and academia led him to co-found The Future Laboratory, creating a platform to formalise trend intelligence into a strategic business discipline.
Through The Future Laboratory, Chris has advised some of the world’s most influential brands, including Louis Vuitton, L’Oréal, H&M and Spotify, guiding them through shifts in consumer expectation and market behaviour. His editorial background as a contributing style editor for British Esquire and a columnist for Luxury Briefing led to the creation of Viewpoint Magazine, the consultancy’s respected bi-annual journal. Beyond consultancy, Chris has played an active role in shaping the wider creative economy, joining the British Council Creative Industries and serving as an advisory member of the British Fashion Council. His media profile includes presenting Channel 4 series Home of the Future and Futurescape, alongside regular commentary across major international publications and broadcast outlets.
As a motivational speaker, Chris is compelling because he combines foresight with practicality. His talks demystify the future, replacing fear of change with clarity and confidence. Drawing on real-world case studies and cultural insight, he empowers leaders to anticipate disruption, align teams and act decisively. Whether addressing global corporations or senior leadership forums, Chris leaves audiences energised, informed and better equipped to thrive in fast-changing markets.
