Hamish Taylor.
Hamish Taylor is the former CEO of Sainsbury’s Bank and Eurostar.
With a CV that The Times described as ‘takes some beating’, Hamish is a world leader in customer-led transformations, and the go-to expert worldwide for organisations seeking to place customers at the heart of their strategy. Trained in brand management at Procter & Gamble, he became a management consultant at PricewaterhouseCoopers, Head of Brands at British Airways, CEO of Eurostar, and CEO of Sainsbury's Bank, all before the age of 40.
Hamish has inspired over 500 organisations in 48 countries, delivering insights at both organisational and functional levels. He consistently receives outstanding testimonials from clients ranging from Prime Ministers and CEOs to frontline staff. His work spans major multinationals and small groups alike, across functions including sales, marketing, HR, risk, and finance.
keynote speeches.
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For many organisations, the challenges they face concern their relationship with their customers (both internal and external) and the desire to “put the customer at the core of all we do”. The Customer Promise builds all activity from “benefit to the customer”. This approach from the consumer goods industry proved critical in turnarounds at BA and Eurostar and has been used in many other industries by Hamish. The Customer Promise stimulates a breakthrough in innovation as it provides a new starting point for idea generation and problem-solving. It also creates a unified approach and common ambition for all departments.
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Where the challenges revolve around the desire for greater innovation and/or the need to drive change more effectively, The Customer Promise is an essential starting point but then, new thinking is required. Taking Lessons from outside is critical to innovation and change. Other industries and disciplines often provide the best new ideas - not just in product and service, but also in leadership, process and communications. If you don’t look to new sources of inspiration, where will your innovation come from? Hamish, the “Master Thief”, can share examples from BA, Eurostar, Sainsbury’s and many others where breakthroughs came from “stealing” ideas from other businesses, sport, the rescue services, the Arts and many other places. He can also suggest places you may wish to look for inspiration - based on your Customer Promise.
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Armed with better customer understanding, a new customer promise and some lessons from elsewhere, we now face the biggest challenge – Making it Happen! Reverse Football looks at the tools required to take the team or organisation with you when you are often faced with more referees than players!
videos.
Speaking Highlight
in the news.
frequently asked questions.
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Hamish focuses on customer-led strategy, innovation and organisational transformation, and how organisations align culture and execution around delivering value for both external and internal customers.
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He is typically engaged for keynote-style sessions within conferences and corporate events, and is also frequently booked for facilitated sessions and interactive masterclasses.
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Beyond keynote presentations, he is frequently engaged to facilitate senior leadership sessions, deliver interactive masterclasses, and moderate conferences and live events, drawing on extensive real-world experience across sectors and functions.
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His work is particularly relevant to organisations seeking to embed customer-centric thinking, drive innovation, align teams around a clear customer promise, and translate strategy into action in fast-changing environments.
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He engages with audiences across organisations at all levels, from senior leaders and boards to functional teams and frontline staff, working across corporate, public, and international settings.
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His approach is highly practical, engaging, and commercially grounded, combining real-life stories with clear frameworks and tools that audiences can apply immediately.
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He adapts his content to organisational context, sector, and audience level, drawing on experience across industries, functions, and geographies to ensure relevance from boardroom to frontline.
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Hamish has worked with over 500 organisations across 48 countries and regularly speaks to international audiences across corporate, public, and governmental contexts.
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Pricing for Hamish is influenced by factors such as event location, format, and time commitment. Speaking Office ensures fee consistency across all enquiries, whether via speaker bureaus or direct clients, so that pricing remains aligned and non-competitive across channels. Accurate and up-to-date pricing can be provided once event details are shared, ensuring alignment with both the client’s requirements and Hamish’s long-term positioning.
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Speaking Office aims to respond promptly to all enquiries regarding Hamish, typically within one business day. Response times may vary slightly depending on event complexity and time zone, but all enquiries are handled with care and attention.
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Hamish is available for virtual and hybrid events, as well as in-person engagements, depending on availability and event requirements. Speaking Office can advise on the most appropriate format based on audience, objectives, and technical considerations.
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Advance booking is recommended for Hamish, particularly for peak periods and international events. While shorter lead times can be accommodated, early enquiry allows for greater flexibility and planning.
Find out more about Hamish: linkedin
How do I book Hamish for a speech?
To book Hamish for a speech, contact his speaking agent: