John Kampfner is an award-winning author, broadcaster and commentator with more than four decades of experience in politics, history and global affairs. A senior fellow at the Institute for Advanced Study and a regular columnist at Foreign Policy and POLITICO Europe, he is widely recognised for his clarity, insight and engaging style. As a motivational speaker, John draws on a career at the highest levels of journalism, culture and policy to inspire audiences to embrace change, think globally and lead with confidence.
John began his career as a Reuters trainee reporter in Moscow, witnessing the last days of the Soviet Union before moving to the Daily Telegraph. By 1995, he had become Chief Political Correspondent at the Financial Times and later joined the BBC and New Statesman, where his reporting earned him the Foreign Press Association’s Journalist of the Year and Film of the Year awards. His investigative work, such as the BBC’s 'The Ugly War' documentary, showcased his ability to illuminate complexity while telling human stories that resonate.
Alongside journalism, John has led major organisations at the intersection of arts, culture and public life. He founded and served as CEO of the Creative Industries Federation, was the inaugural Chair of Turner Contemporary, and chaired the Clore Social Leadership Programme. In recent years, he has held senior fellowships at Chatham House and the Royal United Services Institute, chaired the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration, and earned an Honorary Doctorate from Bath Spa University for his contributions to the arts. He is also the author of seven acclaimed books, with his 2023 publication 'In Search of Berlin' named a Waterstones History Book of the Month, and is currently completing his eighth.
As a keynote speaker, John combines his expertise in politics, culture and leadership with decades of storytelling skill. He has spoken at leading universities, cultural institutions and global conferences, and regularly appears on BBC Radio 4, Channel 4 News and Times Radio. His ability to make complex ideas accessible, alongside his wide-ranging experience in leadership, journalism and international affairs, makes him an inspiring choice for audiences seeking fresh perspectives, motivation and actionable insight.
