The World's Best Hostage Negotiation Speakers Available to Hire in 2026
Hostage negotiation skills are not just for law enforcement; they offer powerful insights into communication, conflict resolution and decision making under pressure that resonate across industries. From FBI veterans to negotiation theorists and international security experts, these speakers turn high-stakes expertise into transformative lessons for audiences worldwide.
What is Hostage Negotiation?
Hostage negotiation is a specialised form of conflict resolution used to resolve incidents involving hostages without violence. It combines psychological insight with tactical communication to influence behaviour in extreme life-threatening situations and incorporates techniques from behavioural science, strategic dialogue and crisis management to de-escalate risk and secure safe outcomes.
Source: EBSCO
What Can Businesses Learn From Hostage Negotiation?
With negotiation strategies reporting success rates as high as 95% in crises situations, hostage negotiation offers powerful lessons for business. Leaders learn to stay calm under pressure, listen actively and manage emotional dynamics in high-stakes interactions. These proven communication techniques translate directly into stronger leadership, teamwork and conflict resolution, which is why keynote speakers with hostage negotiation experience deliver such practical and impactful insights for organisations.
Who Are The World's Best Hostage Negotiation Speakers Available to Hire?
The Motivational Speakers Agency works with leading keynote speakers across the world. Following the collection of data from 65 keynote events between 2024 and 2025, Mark Matthews has collated this expert list of the best hostage negotiation speakers.
- Chris Voss
- Richard Mullender
- Colin MacLachlan
- James Alvarez
- Derek Gaunt
- Nigel Taberner
- George Kohlrieser
- Matthias Schranner
- Joshua Weiss
- Gerco van Deventer
- Scott Walker
- Brett Bruen
- Suzanne Raine
1. Chris Voss
Chris Voss is a former FBI hostage negotiator, international negotiation expert entrepreneur and author of Never Split the Difference. After 24 years in the FBI Crisis Negotiation Unit, including serving as the Bureau’s lead international hostage negotiator, Chris founded The Black Swan Group, a negotiation consultancy for business leaders and professionals. He also teaches negotiation at top business schools and hosts negotiation workshops globally.
Chris translates high-stakes FBI negotiation tactics into practical tools for leadership, sales and influence. His dynamic keynotes blend real crisis stories with actionable frameworks, helping audiences improve communication, build trust and negotiate better outcomes in business and life.
Chris Voss's Official Speaking Topics:
- Never Split the Difference
- Negotiation Secrets from an FBI Hostage Negotiator
- Why Yes is the Last Thing You Want to Hear
- Two Words that Immediately Transform any Negotiation
2. Richard Mullender
Richard Mullender is a former lead trainer at Scotland Yard’s National Hostage and Crisis Negotiation Unit. Richard Mullender specialised in behavioural analysis and high-stakes communication, advising senior police leaders during critical incidents. Richard now works with organisations to develop listening skills and communication strategies that influence behaviour and outcomes.
Richard teaches audiences how to listen with intent and manage emotions during tense conversations. His insights from real crisis negotiations provide practical tools for improving leadership communication and influencing positive outcomes under pressure.
Official Testimonial for Richard Mullender:
“Outstanding. Really thought-provoking and motivating. You made us think completely differently. I was left with 160 very happy guests.” Claire, Director of Field Sales, BT Business & Public Sector
3. Colin MacLachlan
Colin MacLachlan is a former British Army Special Forces soldier and experienced security and crisis specialist. After operational military service, Colin moved into hostage negotiation and security consultancy, working in high-risk global environments. Colin is also known for television appearances and resilience training based on real-world extreme situations.
Colin delivers gripping insights into staying calm and focused during high-stakes scenarios. His frontline experience helps audiences understand resilience, trust and clear communication when facing intense pressure or uncertainty.
Official Testimonial for Colin MacLachlan:
"Just WOW! Me and my team are just speechless, and I am very sure that our viewers were so inspired by your session! Thank you so much for doing this for us, the content and everything was just spot on. We especially loved the humour and impressions! What a life you have lived so far" - St James Place Wealth Management
4. James Alvarez
James Alvarez is a former FBI Special Agent who worked in crisis negotiation, counterterrorism and complex investigations. Drawing on years of federal law enforcement experience, James now advises organisations on trust building, communication and behavioural strategy. His background provides rare insight into negotiation, where outcomes carried serious real-world consequences.
James explains how trust and communication shape decisions in high-pressure environments. His lessons from federal crisis negotiation help audiences manage conflict, influence outcomes and lead with greater emotional intelligence.
James Alvarez's Official Speaking Topics:
- Business Strategy Development
- Change Management
- Business Process Redesign
- Organisational Culture Change
- Training Programme Development and Delivery
- Communications
- Leadership Development
- Executive Coaching
5. Derek Gaunt
Derek Gaunt is a former FBI hostage negotiator and crisis response team leader who specialised in behavioural change through communication. Derek leads negotiation training for executives and organisations, teaching empathy-based influence strategies. His work focuses on helping professionals manage conflict, build rapport and improve communication performance.
Derek shows audiences how empathy and listening can influence behaviour in difficult situations. His negotiation experience provides practical communication strategies that strengthen leadership, collaboration and conflict resolution skills.
Derek Gaunt's Official Speaking Topics:
- Behavioural Change Through Communication
- Hostage Negotiation
- Managing Conflict
6. Nigel Taberner
Nigel Taberner is a former senior hostage and crisis negotiator with Greater Manchester Police. During his policing career, Nigel managed negotiations in emotionally charged and high-risk situations. Now working as a speaker and trainer, he helps organisations apply crisis communication techniques to leadership and team performance.
Nigel shares powerful lessons on calm communication and emotional control under pressure. His real-life negotiation experience helps audiences develop resilience and clarity when navigating conflict and uncertainty.
Nigel Taberner's Official Speaking Topics:
- Living on the Edge of Chaos
- Negotiating When You Have Nothing to Give
- Listening Like a Life Depends on It
7. George Kohlrieser
George Kohlrieser is an organisational psychologist, leadership professor and former police negotiator. George teaches at IMD Business School and authored Hostage at the Table, linking negotiation psychology with leadership and performance. His career combines academic research with practical experience in conflict resolution and human behaviour.
George explains how trust and emotional bonds influence performance and negotiation success. His blend of psychology and leadership theory gives audiences tools to manage conflict and build stronger teams.
George Kohlrieser's Official Speaking Topics:
- The Hidden Perils of Unresolved Grief
- Don't Be a Hostage - Create Trust & Foster a Positive Mindset
- Unleash Potential as a Secure Base Leader
- Power to Influence - Words, Dialogue & Negotiation
8. Matthias Schranner
Matthias Schranner is a former German police hostage negotiator and founder of the Schranner Negotiation Institute. Matthias advises global organisations on negotiation strategy, preparation and power dynamics. His methods are grounded in real law enforcement negotiation experience and adapted for complex corporate environments.
Matthias teaches audiences how preparation and strategy drive successful negotiations. His crisis negotiation background provides practical insight into influence, communication and decision making under pressure.
Matthias Schranner's Official Speaking Topics:
- Hostage Negotiation
- Negotiation Strategy
- Navigating Complex Environments
9. Joshua Weiss
Joshua Weiss is an international negotiation specialist and educator affiliated with Harvard-related negotiation programs. Joshua has worked on diplomatic initiatives and corporate conflict resolution projects worldwide. His work focuses on psychology, perception and collaborative problem solving across high tension environments.
Joshua helps audiences understand how culture and psychology shape negotiation outcomes. His expertise supports professionals in navigating complex conversations and reaching sustainable agreements in challenging contexts.
Joshua Weiss's Official Speaking Topics:
- Negotiation
- Leadership
- Mediation
- Conflict Resolution
- Conflict Management
10. Gerco van Deventer
Gerco van Deventer is a former South African military medic and security specialist with extensive experience operating in high-risk environments across Africa and the Middle East. In 2017, Gerco was kidnapped in Libya and held hostage for over six years before his release. Gerco now speaks internationally on survival, resilience and performing under extreme pressure.
Gerco shares rare first-hand insight into surviving captivity and maintaining psychological strength in prolonged crisis situations. His experience offers powerful lessons on resilience, mindset and decision-making under pressure that deeply resonate with audiences facing high-stakes challenges.
Gerco van Deventer's Official Speaking Topics:
- Al-Qaeda: Inside Knowledge from a Captive
- Building Toughness for Military and NGO Personnel
- Hostage Survival: Lessons from Six Years in Captivity
- Medical Preparedness in Conflict Zones
- Mental Resilience in Hostile Environments
- Navigating High-Risk Operations Safely
- Survival Psychology and Tactical Decision-Making
11. Scott Walker
Scott Walker is an internationally recognised crisis negotiator with decades of experience resolving kidnappings, extortion cases and high-risk incidents worldwide. A former Detective Inspector with the Metropolitan Police, Scott specialised in terrorism and organised crime before becoming a Senior Counter Terrorism Advisor to the United Nations. Scott Walker now advises organisations on crisis leadership, negotiation and risk.
Scott shares gripping real-world negotiation experiences that highlight the importance of calm decision-making and precise communication under extreme pressure. His practical frameworks help leaders strengthen resilience, manage risk and navigate complex high-stakes situations with confidence.
Scott Walker's Official Speaking Topics:
- Influence Under Pressure: The psychology of calm, persuasion, and decision-making when the stakes are high
- How hostage negotiation principles help leaders and execs communicate, align, and perform
- Resilience & Emotional Intelligence: How to stay composed and build trust under fire
- Negotiation and Sales
- Well-Being
- Effective Communication
- Leadership and Decision Making
- Creating High-Performing Teams
- Crisis Management
12. Brett Bruen
Brett Bruen is a former United States diplomat with over a decade of experience in international relations, crisis response and strategic communications. Brett served as Director of Global Engagement at the White House, where he managed international messaging during major geopolitical events. Brett Bruen now leads the Global Situation Room, advising organisations on crisis strategy, reputation and risk.
Brett helps audiences understand how communication shapes outcomes during crisis negotiations. His government and diplomatic experience provides practical insight into managing uncertainty, influencing perception and leading confidently when the stakes are high.
Official Testimonial for Brett Breun:
"You did an amazing job with your presentation! I really appreciated your perspective and the actionable takeaways you provided"- Virginia International Business Council
13. Suzanne Raine
Suzanne Raine is a former senior British intelligence officer and diplomat with extensive experience in national security and crisis response. Suzanne spent over two decades in government roles requiring strategic negotiation and risk assessment. Suzanne Raine is now an academic and commentator on geopolitics, leadership and global security.
Suzanne offers rare insight into negotiation and decision-making at the highest levels. Her experience in national security provides valuable lessons on leadership, risk and maintaining composure under pressure.
Suzanne Raine's Official Speaking Topics:
- Terrorism and Counter Terrorism
- Analytical Techniques
- Crisis Anticipation and Analytical Response
- Geopolitical Risk and Warning
Hire a Hostage Negotiation Speaker Today!
If you are interested in learning more about hostage negotiation, don’t hesitate to get in touch today! Contact us by filling in our online contact form or by calling a booking agent directly on 0207 0787 876.
This exclusive article on the top hostage negotiation speakers to hire was written by Mark Matthews, utilising exclusive client feedback from 65 events between 2024 and 2025.
