CEO & Founder of Green Futurist, Former CEO of MediaFuturist & Creator & Host of ‘The Future Show with Gerd Leonhard’

Gerd Leonhard is a globally renowned futurist and humanist, consistently ranked among the top 10 futurist keynote speakers worldwide. He serves as CEO of The Futures Agency, a think tank and network of leading futurists. A Fellow of the Royal Society for the Arts, he blends technology with ethics to champion what he calls “The Good Future.” With a background as a professional musician and digital media entrepreneur, Gerd brings a cinematic, immersive style to over two decades of keynote presentations delivered to millions across the globe.

Credentials and Impact

His influence extends well beyond his keynote speaking. Named one of the Top 100 Most Influential People in Europe by Wired magazine and described by The Wall Street Journal as “one of the leading media futurists in the world,” he has built a global reputation as a thought leader in technology, ethics, and digital transformation.

His professional journey began in the music industry, where he won Berklee College’s Quincy Jones Award in 1985 and went on to work as a guitarist, composer, and producer. In the late 1990s he co-founded LicenseMusic.com in San Francisco, one of the first digital music licensing platforms, before establishing ThinkAndLink, a boutique consultancy for media and entertainment strategy. These experiences shaped his later career as a futurist and innovation advisor.

Since 2004, Gerd has delivered more than 1,500 keynote engagements in over 50 countries, advising and inspiring Fortune 500 companies, governments, NGOs, and global media outlets. His client base includes organisations such as Microsoft, Google, Unilever, Mastercard, UBS, WWF, BBC, The Guardian, and the European Commission. His expertise covers digital ethics, sustainable innovation, leadership, the future of work, and the responsible use of artificial intelligence.

Publications and Media

He has written several influential books, including ‘The Future of Music’, ‘The End of Control’, ‘Music 2.0’, ‘Friction is Fiction’, ‘The Future of Content’, and the bestseller ‘Technology vs. Humanity’. He also hosts web-TV series such as TheFutureShow and MeetingOfTheMinds.tv. His insights appear regularly in The Guardian, Business Insider, Wired UK, and Harvard Business Review, and he has been featured on global media outlets including BBC, CNN, ZDF, ARD, ARTE, and Swiss SRF.

Why Hire Gerd Leonhard?

Gerd Leonhard brings a rare blend of foresight, cinematic delivery, and human-centric insight to every engagement. His presentations are designed as immersive experiences that combine storytelling, provocative ideas, and striking visuals, making them memorable for audiences long after the event. He has also pioneered “keynote television,” a virtual format that translates his style seamlessly to online platforms, offering flexibility for both in-person and digital events.

His talks are consistently praised for balancing inspiration with practical foresight, tailored to the specific needs of his audience. Clients highlight the way he addresses complex subjects like artificial intelligence, ethics, and sustainability with both clarity and passion, leaving participants with actionable insights and a sense of optimism about the future. With keynote credits for organisations including Microsoft, Google, Visa, Mercedes-Benz, and the European Commission, Gerd is a trusted voice on digital transformation and the future of work, making him a compelling choice for forward-looking conferences and events.

To book Ged to speak at your event, call SpeakOut on +44 (0) 20 8914 8966. Alternatively, complete our contact form to begin your enquiry.