Former COO of Google Europe, Founder & CEO of Digital People, Three-Time Tech CEO & Author of ‘Marketing for CEOs’
Ben Legg’s Biography:
Ben Legg is a leading authority on artificial intelligence, digital transformation and the future of work. Best known as the former Chief Operating Officer of Google Europe and a three-time private equity-backed technology CEO, Ben has built a career at the forefront of innovation, business growth and organisational change. As the Founder and CEO of Digital People, he advises senior leaders, boards and investors on navigating AI-driven disruption and transforming workforce performance. Having advised hundreds of CEOs, government ministers and multinational organisations worldwide, Ben is a highly sought-after speaker who combines practical leadership experience with deep expertise in emerging technologies.
Ben’s career began in the British Army, where he served as a Royal Engineer officer and played a significant role in the humanitarian relief efforts during the Siege of Sarajevo. Following his military service, he joined McKinsey & Company as a Strategy Consultant before moving to The Coca-Cola Company. During his time with Coca-Cola, he held senior strategy, marketing and sales positions across Greece, Poland and India, where he led the turnaround of Coca-Cola India. He later joined Google, rising to become COO of Google Europe and helping to develop the monetisation strategy behind Search, YouTube, Maps and Mobile. Since 2010, Ben has led several major technology businesses, including Adknowledge, AdParlor, European Directories and Ola UK, before founding Digital People.
An accomplished author and commentator, Ben wrote the award-winning book ‘Marketing for CEOs: Death or Glory in the Digital Age’. His insights have been featured across Bloomberg, the BBC, the Financial Times and The Times. Alongside his executive career, he has held numerous advisory and board positions, supporting organisations ranging from technology start-ups to investment firms and established global businesses.
Today, Ben works with some of the world’s most influential organisations, including Novo Nordisk, Tesco, DHL, AstraZeneca, Deloitte and CVC. Through Digital People, he advises between five and ten senior leaders every week and analyses over $1.2 billion in annual digital advertising spend across more than 300 companies. His unique blend of military leadership, corporate transformation expertise and AI insight enables him to deliver highly practical, forward-looking perspectives for audiences worldwide.
Why Hire Ben Legg?
Ben delivers rare insights drawn from leadership roles spanning the military, management consulting, global consumer brands, Big Tech and private equity-backed businesses. He helps organisations understand how artificial intelligence is reshaping work, leadership and competitive advantage, translating complex technological developments into clear business actions. Having spoken at major events including Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity and Chief Disruptor, as well as conferences for Google, Coca-Cola, McKinsey and Samsung, Ben is renowned for engaging presentations that combine strategic foresight, real-world case studies and practical guidance for leaders navigating rapid change.
Ben Legg‘s Career Highlights:
Here are some of the key milestones that define Ben Legg’s remarkable career:
- 2024 – Joined the Board of MoneyPlus and expanded his portfolio of advisory and governance roles.
- 2024 – Became an Advisory Board Member at Hypervolt, supporting the growth of the electric vehicle charging technology business.
- 2024 – Organised the first-ever private event held on Alcatraz, demonstrating his reputation as an innovative business leader and connector.
- 2022 – Supported innovation initiatives at GALLOS Technologies Limited while serving in strategic advisory capacities.
- 2022 – Appointed Advisory Board Member at Haystack, helping guide growth and strategic development.
- 2020 – Founded The Portfolio Collective, creating a professional community for portfolio career professionals and independent experts.
- 2018 – Founded Digital People International and became CEO, advising organisations on AI, digital transformation and future workforce strategy.
- 2018 – Served as Managing Director of Ola UK and played a key role in the company’s expansion into the British market.
- 2006 – Became COO of Google Europe, helping create the monetisation blueprint for Search, YouTube, Maps and Mobile while driving significant commercial growth across the region.
Videos
Ben Legg’s Official Keynote Speaking Videos & Showreel:
Testimonials
“Ben Legg is a great keynote speaker. He spoke at our CVC portfolio event with 200+ C-suite leaders, setting the tone with an energetic perspective on building an agentic organisation. He translates major technology shifts into clear, actionable priorities, delivered with genuine energy and passion for the topic. I would highly recommend Ben if you are looking for a speaker to help future-proof your organisation, whilst also being someone who remains grounded in the financial returns of implementing AI” – Richard, Director, CVC Capital Partners
“Ben is a natural leader with clarity of thought and the ability to construct, pivot and re-align the vision of a company. His ability to represent the organisation at public events, his leadership within the organisation, his work ethic and prioritisation skills, his empathetic approach, his hunger to stay on top of technological advancements and the sheer determination to navigate through chaos are just a few qualities that Ben brings to the table. I have grown tremendously under Ben’s leadership and wish him a ton of success in life!” – Vedang, Director of Strategy & Partnerships, GrabAds
“Ben leads sales operations at Google with vision, inspiration and a focus on execution. He delivered on numerous game-changing initiatives that drove revenue and sales enablement. He works with a clear structure, with focus and performs under pressure – a very strong leader.” – Terry, Executive Coach
“I had the pleasure of working with Ben during my time at ADK. Ben is an outstanding leader with a passion for building great organisations. His clear vision led the company into the growing video ad market. Besides his open leadership style and hands-on approach, he never lost sight of the big picture/ vision. ADK’s clever international growth strategy is only one example. Ben is a great guy, lucky if you can work with him.” – Sebastian, Senior Director, Corporate Development, M&A
Speaking Topics
Ben Legg’s Official Keynote Topics:
- Beyond the Hype: How to build an agentic business
- The Liquid Organisation: Configuring your business for human + AI collaboration
- Investing in an AI-Enabled World: Picking the likely winners and losers as AI becomes ubiquitous
- How AI will transform industries and the future of work
- Strategy in times of rapid change
- Commercial innovation in large and small companies
How Much Does Ben Legg Cost to Hire?
How Much Does it Cost to Hire Ben Legg?
Ben Legg’s speaking fees typically reflect his exceptional career and international demand. Engagements vary depending on location, format, and duration; keynote appearances, conferences, and international events may command higher fees due to travel and preparation requirements.