Ed Gillespie is a poet, writer, communications specialist, serial entrepreneur, and futurist. He is the author of ‘Only Planet, a flight-free adventure around the world’, a travelogue detailing his 45,000-mile circumnavigation of the globe without taking a plane which The Independent described as allowing "the world's flaws and beauty to seep into your soul."
Ed specialises in systems thinking, helping organisations navigate complex global challenges from climate change to disruptive technology and AI by asking the right, often uncomfortable, questions to move beyond "business as usual." Professionally, Ed is known for his unique brand of authentic "insultancy" being strategically and playfully cheeky to clients with judicious wit and wisdom to inspire higher aspirations and practical solutions.
Ed co-presents two popular podcasts: The Great Humbling with Dougald Hine, and Jon Richardson and the Futurenauts with comedian Jon Richardson and fellow futurist Mark Stevenson. He is also an active participant in Hard Art, a creative collective using cultural activism to address climate and democratic challenges.
Having co-founded the award-winning sustainability change agency Futerra (which he stepped back from in 2019 to focus on speaking and leadership), Ed now serves as Chief Futurist at the Global Destination Sustainability Movement, a lead facilitator on responsible leadership at the Forward Institute, a Trustee for Onboard:Earth (formerly Ecolibrium), and a former Director of Greenpeace UK.
An active investor in purpose-led start-ups, Ed supports pioneering ethical businesses including Piclo (smart energy grids), Small Robot Company (agricultural robotics), Demand Logic, Panda Packaging, and Breakroom.
A sought-after global speaker, compère, and host, Ed has presented across the globe from the UN and national governments to multinational corporations. His speaking engagements include giving the inaugural ‘Bonn Speech’ on Global Transformation for the German Government, keynotes at ‘Fixing the Future’ in Barcelona, four TEDx talks, and addressings clients like The World Bank, KPMG, MACE, and Schroders.
