Rory Sutherland

Rory Sutherland is the Vice Chairman of Ogilvy UK and a renowned expert in the application of psychological theory to marketing. Having joined the agency as a graduate trainee in 1988, he progressed to Creative Director before becoming the first creative professional to serve as President of the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising. As the founder of Ogilvy’s Behavioural Science Practice and the Nudgestock festival, he explores the counter-intuitive reasons behind how people think, purchase, and interact. His work seeks to move beyond conventional advertising by using the principles of psychology and economics to influence consumer choices. A prolific author and commentator, he writes the fortnightly Wiki Man column for The Spectator and has reached vast new audiences through viral content on platforms like TikTok and YouTube. His bibliography includes the acclaimed Alchemy: The Surprising Power of Ideas That Don't Make Sense, and Transport for Humans, which he co-authored with Pete Dyson to examine how transport systems can better serve the people who use them. Additionally, he leads the MAD//Masters educational programme, where he teaches marketers how to utilise innovation and original thinking to gain a distinct competitive advantage. Sutherland is frequently sought after by global organisations for his ability to debunk irrational consumer assumptions with wit and erudition. His presentations are prized for their capacity to reveal the hidden logic behind human behaviour, providing audiences with a sophisticated framework for solving complex business challenges. On stage, Rory Sutherland is best known for talks on Branding & Marketing, Behavioural Sciences, Innovation, Strategy and Reputation. 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. Rory Sutherland is regularly booked for Conference Speaker and Business Speaker, adapting tone, length and format to suit the event — from a 20-minute opener to a full conference keynote with Q&A. 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 Sutherland would approach your audience.