Mark Malloch-Brown
Mark Malloch-Brown is the former Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Lord Malloch-Brown has served as Administrator of the UN Development Programme, Chief of Staff and Deputy to Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Vice President of External Affairs at the World Bank, and as a British government minister under Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Most recently he was President of the Open Society Foundations, the world's largest private funder of democracy and human rights. A co-founder of the International Crisis Group and former political consultant to newly democratic regimes, he has spent his career at the centre of the most consequential debates and decisions in international affairs.
Beginning his career at The Economist, Mark brings sharp analytical insight and rare insider perspective on the current crisis of global cooperation and what comes next. He is a Visiting Professor in Practice at the London School of Economics, a Distinguished Visiting Fellow at the University of Pennsylvania's Perry World House, an alumnus of the Time100 list (2005), and was knighted for his contributions to international affairs. Mark is one of the world's foremost authorities on international affairs, global governance, and the future of democracy.
keynote speeches.
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An old order is broken and the new has not emerged. Where is the world headed now? As China becomes the world’s leading trading nation, and Brazil and India lay claim to a global voice, the world is overtaken by a malignant power shift as the US digs in its heels. The rise of Trump is a consequence of American weakness, of the white working class America feeling the pinch of lost jobs and status.
Mark reaches back through his own years on the global frontlines to spell out what this may mean the world of rules and institutions set up in 1945 and encapsulated in the UN Charter. What will this mean for a weakened Europe a vulnerable Gulf, and an Africa undergoing a dizzying demographic change? What will this mean for world peace and trade? Anticipate an engrossing global tour of these issues and their interplay that rests on a lifetime of professional and personal insights.
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Having watched earlier demands that the UN regulate the free press and been at the top of the United Nations during efforts to regulate the internet, Mark describes the mixture of governmental motives, some intended to protect freedom, others to suppress it, that are at play in debates about global regulation of technology and information. But beyond regulation, the very processes of international governance, development and security are going to be transformed: whole models of how countries develop and modernise will be upended by the impact on employment and hence incomes of AI displacing human work, while traditional measures of military strength are being upset by new asymmetric tools of war, notably drones.
Drawing on decades of experience across UN humanitarian, peacekeeping, and development work, Mark's account combines the authority of someone who has shaped the international system with the modesty of someone repeatedly surprised by technology's unpredictability, making him uniquely placed to explore what AI means for global stability, governance, and the billions of people whose lives it will quietly but profoundly reshape.
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Mark shares candid stories from his career on the world’s frontlines, on how global leaders actually negotiate, make decisions and manage crises. Whether recounting his experiences as a young journalist covering Thatcher, a consultant to democratic leaders battling for power in Latin America and the Philippines, or his years working at the elbow of Kofi Annan, George Soros and Gordon Brown, his insights bring complex dynamics to life and forecast outcomes of our current geopolitical upheavals.
With a detached journalistic eye, Mark combines a fresh forward-looking appetite for the future, together with a past of having been there in the room, where it happened, for a half century of monumental global change. Whether motivating a corporate audience or entertaining an after dinner one, his mix of reminiscence, humour, and wisdom is compelling.
videos.
Speaking Highlight
frequently asked questions.
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Mark focuses on current affairs, geopolitics, diplomacy.
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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 contributions, he regularly hosts conferences, moderates panel discussions, and leads structured conversations, drawing on extensive experience interviewing senior and high-profile figures to bring clarity, balance, and informed questioning to complex discussions.
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Mark’s work is particularly relevant to organisations navigating geopolitical uncertainty, global market exposure, regulatory risk, and political change.
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He engages with a wide range of audiences, including senior leaders, professional audiences, and public-facing conference delegates across corporate, public, and institutional sectors.
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His approach is measured, informed, and engaging, bringing clarity and structure to complex discussions, and providing calm authority and sound judgement across awards, chaired, and hosted events, where reliability and confidence are essential.
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He tailors his approach to the audience and context, whether hosting awards, chairing conferences, or delivering keynotes, providing a calm, reliable presence that prioritises clarity, balance, and sound judgement over opinion or advocacy.
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As a seasoned broadcaster who has covered major stories from around the world, Mark is well equipped to engage international and cross-border audiences and adapt confidently to global contexts and perspectives.
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Pricing for Mark 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 Matt’s long-term positioning.
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Speaking Office aims to respond promptly to all enquiries regarding Mark 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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Mark 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 Mark, particularly for peak periods and international events. While shorter lead times can be accommodated, early enquiry allows for greater flexibility and planning.
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Speaking Office exclusively represents Mark for speaking engagements and live events work. Details regarding availability, fees and general enquiries are managed by his speaker manager via the contact information on this page.
How do I book Mark for a speech?
Speaking Office exclusively represents Mark Malloch-Brown for speaking engagements.
To discuss arrangements, please contact Speaking Office: