Founder & CEO of AI Risk, Executive Working Group Member at the World Economic Forum, Co-Author of ‘Fightback: How to Win in the Digital Economy’ & Guest Lecturer at Singularity University

Simon Torrance is a leading authority on strategy, innovation and Agentic AI, best known as the Founder and CEO of AI Risk. With decades of experience advising global enterprises on digital transformation, Simon has built a reputation for helping organisations navigate disruption, unlock growth and manage emerging technological risks. His work spans advertising, telecommunications, embedded finance and artificial intelligence, giving him a uniquely broad commercial perspective. Alongside founding AI Risk in 2024, Simon serves as a Senior Advisor to Visionary Future, Rainmaking Venture Studio and Swiss 6022. He is also recognised for developing influential frameworks, including the Agentic AI Maturity Model and the Agentic AI Enterprise Blueprint.

Simon began his professional journey within WPP and Omnicom, where he worked across advertising, marketing, innovation and change consulting. These early roles gave him deep insight into how large organisations adapt to technological change and shifting consumer behaviour. In 2006, he founded STL Partners and the Telco 2.0 Initiative, organisations that became highly influential in analysing digital transformation within the telecommunications industry. Simon later expanded his focus into platform economies and embedded finance, co-founding and chairing the Platform Economy Summit Europe in 2018 before launching Embedded Finance & Insurance Strategies in 2021. Alongside his entrepreneurial ventures, he has contributed to global policy and innovation discussions as an Executive Working Group Member at the World Economic Forum, having previously served on its Global ICT Agenda Council. He also became a Guest Lecturer at Singularity University in 2018, sharing his expertise with senior leaders and innovators worldwide.

Throughout his career, Simon has been recognised for combining strategic foresight with practical business application. In 2020, he co-authored the acclaimed book ‘Fightback: How to Win in the Digital Economy’, which explored how organisations can compete in rapidly evolving digital markets. He has also created executive education programmes such as ‘The New Growth Playbook’, designed to help businesses identify sustainable growth opportunities in an increasingly technology-driven economy. His frameworks surrounding Agentic AI adoption and enterprise readiness are widely referenced by leaders seeking to implement AI responsibly and effectively.

Today, Simon is regarded as one of the most forward-thinking voices in the fields of innovation and artificial intelligence. Through AI Risk, he advises organisations on the opportunities and governance challenges presented by advanced AI systems, particularly Agentic AI. His ability to translate complex technological concepts into commercially actionable strategies has made him a trusted advisor to executives, policymakers and investors alike. Combining decades of strategic consulting experience with a deep understanding of emerging technologies, Simon continues to shape conversations around the future of business transformation.

Why Hire Simon Torrance?

Simon Torrance is hired as a speaker for his ability to explain complex technological disruption in a commercially relevant and highly engaging way. Drawing on decades of experience across innovation, telecommunications, embedded finance and artificial intelligence, he delivers practical insights that help organisations prepare for the future. Simon has spoken at major global conferences, executive forums and industry summits, sharing expertise on strategy, digital transformation and Agentic AI adoption. His experience with the World Economic Forum, Singularity University and international leadership events ensures audiences receive informed, future-focused perspectives that inspire action and strategic thinking.