Roger Spitz is a globally recognised futurist, bestselling author and keynote speaker who inspires organisations to rethink how they lead and make decisions in an era defined by disruption. As President of Techistential and Founding Chair of the Disruptive Futures Institute, Roger advises CEOs, policymakers and global organisations on strategic foresight, systemic risk and the future of business. Named a 'leading futurist on disruption' by CNN, he is known for delivering dynamic keynote speeches that challenge conventional thinking and encourage audiences to embrace uncertainty as an opportunity for innovation. Roger has delivered more than five hundred keynotes across over forty countries, captivating audiences with powerful insights into artificial intelligence, systemic disruption and anticipatory leadership. His bestselling books include the four-volume series 'The Definitive Guide to Thriving on Disruption' and the award-winning Amazon bestseller 'Disrupt With Impact', which topped six categories, including artificial intelligence across multiple international markets.
Roger’s professional journey began with a strong academic foundation, earning a Master of Science in Economics and Finance from Durham University. He began his career in corporate finance at EY before moving into investment banking, where he spent seventeen years building extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions, private equity and corporate strategy. During this period, he served as Global Head of Technology Mergers and Acquisitions at BNP Paribas, leading more than fifty transactions worth over $25 billion. Based between London and San Francisco, Roger helped establish the bank’s United States mergers and acquisitions platform and launched its European Digital Corporate Finance practice. This high-level experience advising global organisations on strategic transactions gave him a unique understanding of how industries evolve, laying the groundwork for his later work in strategic foresight and disruption. Roger wrote for the World Economic Forum on How Agency, Foresight and the Right Narratives can Create Virtuous Tipping Points, solidifying his position as a thought leader.
Roger’s influence extends across the worlds of technology, academia and global policy. He co-founded the Disruptive Futures Institute, a think tank focused on helping organisations prepare for complex global challenges, which has been recognised in Thinkers360’s Top 10 Education and Top 50 Global Innovation rankings. He is also a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Foresight Network, reflecting his leadership in the field of futures thinking. Alongside this, Roger has served as a deep tech venture capital partner with Berkeley SkyDeck and Vektor Partners, and sits on Cervest’s Climate Intelligence Council. His contributions to strategic foresight have earned him recognition as a Thinkers360 Global Top Voice and a consistent ranking among Global Gurus’ Top 15 Futurists worldwide.
As a motivational speaker, Roger Spitz equips audiences with the mindset and strategic tools needed to thrive amid rapid change. Drawing on decades of experience advising global leaders, he translates complex ideas about artificial intelligence, climate resilience and systemic disruption into practical insights that empower organisations to act with confidence. Roger encourages leaders to adopt his AAA Framework of Antifragility, Anticipatory thinking and Agility, helping them build organisations that strengthen through uncertainty rather than being weakened by it. His keynotes also explore the interaction between geopolitics, geoeconomics and geotechnology, guiding audiences to understand the forces shaping the future. Through compelling storytelling and strategic foresight, Roger motivates leaders to embrace disruption as a catalyst for innovation, resilience and long-term success.
"The effects of systemic disruptions are far-reaching, bringing both unprecedented challenges and opportunities. At the heart of our work and my transformative keynotes is the power of agency and informed optimism. In my bestselling book Disrupt With Impact, we blend exclusive research and insights from the Disruptive Futures Institute with real-world case studies from my strategic foresight practice, Techistential. We provide leaders with a compass calibrated for the unpredictable, helping them discover strategies to shape our futures and thrive in our increasingly complex world." - Roger Spitz