Rory Stewart

Rory Stewart OBE is a distinguished diplomat, academic, and former Cabinet Minister whose career spans the highest levels of international relations and domestic governance. After serving as an Army officer and a diplomat in Indonesia and Montenegro, he undertook an extraordinary two-year journey walking six thousand miles across Asia, an experience chronicled in his acclaimed work, The Places In Between. His extensive field experience includes serving as Deputy Governor of two Iraqi provinces, where he managed regional elections and complex development projects amidst significant civil unrest. In the UK Parliament, Stewart chaired the Defence Select Committee and held several ministerial portfolios before his appointment as Secretary of State for International Development. Since leaving the political frontline, he has become a leading voice in media as the co-host of the chart-topping podcasts The Rest is Politics and Leading. A prolific author and Professor of Human Rights at Harvard, his recent memoir, Politics On the Edge, provides a detailed exploration of the realities of modern governance and the intricacies of the British political system. Audiences book Rory Stewart for his unique ability to bridge the gap between academic theory and practical leadership, offering a sophisticated perspective on global geopolitics and the challenges of national strategy. On stage, Rory Stewart is best known for talks on Esg & Social Responsibility, Politics & Geopolitics, Leadership and Strategy. 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 Politics & Government, where the themes translate directly into team decisions, customer experience and growth strategy. Rory Stewart is regularly booked for Business 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, Rory Stewart 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 Rory Stewart would approach your audience.