Ed Gillespie is a writer, communications specialist, serial entrepreneur, and futurist. He is the author of Only Planet – a flight-free adventure around the world, a book about his circumnavigation of the globe without flying, which the Independent praised for allowing “the world’s flaws and beauty to seep into your soul.” Ed has a talent for distilling the complex, interconnected challenges the world faces, from climate change to disruptive innovation, into common sense for non-specialist audiences.
Currently, Ed focuses on using his twenty-five years of experience to help organizations rapidly understand the post-pandemic world. This involves ‘unlearning’ past mistakes, asking the right (often awkward) questions, and moving beyond today’s discomfort to create more resilient, responsible, and sustainable businesses and organizations.
Ed co-presents two leading podcasts: The Great Humbling with Dougald Hine and Jon Richardson and the Futurenauts – Book of Revelations with comedian Jon Richardson and fellow reluctant futurist Mark Stevenson. He co-founded Futerra, a change agency specializing in business transformation and creative communications and campaigns. For nearly two decades, Futerra has been internationally renowned for its influential and award-winning work on major corporate sustainability initiatives. Ed was the ‘father’ of the business, regularly cooking for his colleagues, curating annual company away-days, and maintaining the ‘soul’ of the company.
In early 2019, Ed left Futerra to pursue opportunities in public speaking, responsible leadership, and purpose-led disruptive start-up businesses, frustrated by the constraints of consultancy. Known for his unique brand of authentic ‘insultancy’—being strategically and playfully cheeky to clients with wit and wisdom—Ed inspires greater aspirations. He is highly adaptable, constructively challenging assumptions, opening minds, and mapping practical solutions.
Ed is a lead facilitator with the Forward Institute, working on responsible leadership with 40 of the UK’s biggest institutions. He is a Director of Greenpeace UK, a Trustee of Ecolibrium, and Chief Futurist at the Global Destination Sustainability Movement. He is involved in pioneering ethical businesses as a Director or Investor, including Demand Logic (a ‘fitbit’ for buildings), Loco2.com(a pan-European rail-ticket agency rebranded as Rail Europe after being sold to SNCF), Common Objective (ethical fashion), Urgentem (carbon transition catalysts), Bennaman (alternative fuels), Panda Packaging (bamboo-based products), Piclo (new electricity networks), Bennamann (methane biofuels), Small Robot Company (agricultural technology), Raw Bottles (metal water bottles), and Breakroom (job comparison service for frontline workers).
Ed contributes regularly to various media, including the BBC, the Guardian, the Ecologist, and Conde Nast Traveller. He is a sought-after speaker, event host, lively compere, and trusted Chairperson, renowned for his entertaining presentations laced with thoughtful insights, trends, and humor. Since 2001, he has presented globally, giving dozens of talks a year to diverse audiences, from the UN and national governments to multi-national corporations and global associations. He has even dabbled in stand-up comedy to enhance his engagement skills.
Recent clients include The World Bank, KPMG, MACE, and CityWire. Speaking engagements include the inaugural ‘Bonn Speech’ on Global Transformation for the German Government, a keynote on ‘Fixing the Future’ in Barcelona, ‘Climate of Disruption’ on climate change and disruptive innovation for Schroders in Belgium, and an interview with a leading Spanish newspaper for this film.
Ed Gillespie is a writer, communications specialist, serial entrepreneur, and futurist. He is the author of Only Planet – a flight-free adventure around the world, a book about his circumnavigation of the globe without flying, which the Independent praised for allowing “the world’s flaws and beauty to seep into your soul.” Ed has a talent for distilling the complex, interconnected challenges the world faces, from climate change to disruptive innovation, into common sense for non-specialist audiences.
Currently, Ed focuses on using his twenty-five years of experience to help organizations rapidly understand the post-pandemic world. This involves ‘unlearning’ past mistakes, asking the right (often awkward) questions, and moving beyond today’s discomfort to create more resilient, responsible, and sustainable businesses and organizations.
Ed co-presents two leading podcasts: The Great Humbling with Dougald Hine and Jon Richardson and the Futurenauts – Book of Revelations with comedian Jon Richardson and fellow reluctant futurist Mark Stevenson. He co-founded Futerra, a change agency specializing in business transformation and creative communications and campaigns. For nearly two decades, Futerra has been internationally renowned for its influential and award-winning work on major corporate sustainability initiatives. Ed was the ‘father’ of the business, regularly cooking for his colleagues, curating annual company away-days, and maintaining the ‘soul’ of the company.
In early 2019, Ed left Futerra to pursue opportunities in public speaking, responsible leadership, and purpose-led disruptive start-up businesses, frustrated by the constraints of consultancy. Known for his unique brand of authentic ‘insultancy’—being strategically and playfully cheeky to clients with wit and wisdom—Ed inspires greater aspirations. He is highly adaptable, constructively challenging assumptions, opening minds, and mapping practical solutions.
Ed is a lead facilitator with the Forward Institute, working on responsible leadership with 40 of the UK’s biggest institutions. He is a Director of Greenpeace UK, a Trustee of Ecolibrium, and Chief Futurist at the Global Destination Sustainability Movement. He is involved in pioneering ethical businesses as a Director or Investor, including Demand Logic (a ‘fitbit’ for buildings), Loco2.com(a pan-European rail-ticket agency rebranded as Rail Europe after being sold to SNCF), Common Objective (ethical fashion), Urgentem (carbon transition catalysts), Bennaman (alternative fuels), Panda Packaging (bamboo-based products), Piclo (new electricity networks), Bennamann (methane biofuels), Small Robot Company (agricultural technology), Raw Bottles (metal water bottles), and Breakroom (job comparison service for frontline workers).
Ed contributes regularly to various media, including the BBC, the Guardian, the Ecologist, and Conde Nast Traveller. He is a sought-after speaker, event host, lively compere, and trusted Chairperson, renowned for his entertaining presentations laced with thoughtful insights, trends, and humor. Since 2001, he has presented globally, giving dozens of talks a year to diverse audiences, from the UN and national governments to multi-national corporations and global associations. He has even dabbled in stand-up comedy to enhance his engagement skills.
Recent clients include The World Bank, KPMG, MACE, and CityWire. Speaking engagements include the inaugural ‘Bonn Speech’ on Global Transformation for the German Government, a keynote on ‘Fixing the Future’ in Barcelona, ‘Climate of Disruption’ on climate change and disruptive innovation for Schroders in Belgium, and an interview with a leading Spanish newspaper for this film.
