James Heappey

James Heappey is a former Minister of State for the Armed Forces with a distinguished career spanning high-level politics and frontline military service. During nearly a decade in Parliament, he oversaw conventional and cyber military operations, providing him with a unique perspective on the intersection of international relations, diplomacy, and modern conflict. Before his political career, he served for eight years as an officer in the British Army, reaching the rank of Major and completing operational tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Following his time in the field, he served as an executive officer on the General Staff at the Ministry of Defence. In government, James held several influential roles, including Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Prime Minister and Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Defence Procurement. His ministerial work involved visiting over 80 countries with a specific emphasis on the Global South and the evolution of defence diplomacy. He also contributed to domestic policy through his work on the Energy and Climate Change Select Committee and chaired the Parliamentary Renewable and Sustainable Energy Group. Drawing on his experience managing the rapid supply of defence technologies to Ukraine, he highlights how established organisations can streamline complex systems to respond to crises with agility. James is frequently booked for his ability to translate geopolitical instability into clear strategic foresight for the corporate world. He provides audiences with a compelling look at the forces shaping global policy and offers practical frameworks for organisations seeking to build resilience against inevitable disruption. On stage, James Heappey is best known for talks on Manufacturing & Engineering, Crisis Management and Politics & Geopolitics. Audiences leave with a clear, practical view of the subject rather than a generic overview — every keynote is shaped around the brief and the room. Their work resonates with leaders across Defence & Security and Politics & Government, where the themes translate directly into team decisions, customer experience and growth strategy. James Heappey is regularly booked for Business Speaker and Conference Speaker, adapting tone, length and format to suit the event — from a 20-minute opener to a full conference keynote with Q&A. Based in UK, James Heappey travels internationally for engagements. To check availability or request a tailored brief for your event, send an enquiry and we'll come back with fees, dates and a short summary of how James Heappey would approach your audience.