Co-Founded GDR Creative Intelligence, Bestselling Author of ‘Future Files: A Brief History of the Next 50 Years’ & Executive Fellow at Henley Business School
Richard Watson’s Biography:
Richard Watson is a futurist, trend forecaster, author and keynote speaker recognised internationally for helping organisations understand the forces shaping the future of business, technology and society. Best known for translating complex global trends into practical commercial insight, Richard has spent decades advising leaders on how to prepare for uncertainty and long-term change. His influential research into innovation, digital transformation, automation and emerging technologies has established him as one of the world’s leading thinkers on the future. Through bestselling books, thought leadership and strategic forecasting, he equips audiences with the knowledge and confidence to anticipate disruption, making him a highly sought-after keynote speaker for businesses, governments and industry conferences.
Richard co-founded the trend forecasting and retail innovation agency GDR Creative Intelligence, where he developed expertise in analysing consumer behaviour and emerging market trends. He later launched nowandnext.com, a global intelligence platform dedicated to trend forecasting and strategic foresight, providing organisations with practical insights into future opportunities and challenges. His reputation as a thought leader continued to grow with the international success of ‘Future Files: A Brief History of the Next 50 Years’, followed by ‘Future Minds: How to Think in the Digital Age’ and the globally recognised ‘Trends & Technology Timeline 2010 to 2050’. Richard also became an Executive Fellow at Henley Business School, lecturing on leadership and business change, before publishing ‘The Future: 50 Ideas You Really Need to Know’, creating the widely referenced ‘Timeline of Emerging Science and Technology 2015 to 2030’, releasing ‘Digital Vs Human’, publishing ‘The Future for Children’ and most recently authoring ‘Beyond Busy’, which explores attention spans and productivity in the modern world.
Richard’s work has earned widespread recognition for its ability to explain complex technological and societal developments in an engaging and accessible way. His visual forecasting tools, including the internationally shared technology timelines, have become essential resources for business leaders, strategists and educators seeking to understand long-term trends. His expertise is regularly sought by organisations looking to navigate digital transformation, artificial intelligence, leadership, innovation and the future of work, with his research continuing to influence strategic thinking across multiple industries.
Why Hire Richard Watson?
Alongside his writing, Richard has built an exceptional portfolio of influential publications that continue to shape conversations around technology, business and human behaviour. His combination of rigorous research, commercial experience and engaging storytelling enables him to deliver thought-provoking presentations tailored to executive audiences. Rather than simply predicting the future, Richard provides practical frameworks that help organisations prepare for it, leaving audiences with clear actions and lasting insights. His ability to challenge conventional thinking while making complex ideas relevant and accessible makes Richard an outstanding choice as a keynote speaker.
Richard Watson’s Career Highlights:
Here are some of the key milestones that define Richard Watson’s remarkable career:
- 2025 – Authored his sixth major book exploring modern attention spans and productivity, ‘Beyond Busy’
- 2024 – Published ‘The Future for Children’
- 2017 – Published ‘Digital Vs Human’
- 2015 – Released ‘Timeline of Emerging Science and Technology 2015-2030’
- 2012 – Authored ‘The Future: 50 Ideas You Really Need to Know’
- 2011 – Joined Henley Business School to lecture on leadership and business change as an Executive Fellow
- 2010 – Released ‘Trends & Technology Timeline 2010-2050’
- 2010 – Published ‘Future Minds: How to Think in the Digital Age’
- 2007 – Achieved international bestseller success with his breakout book, ‘Future Files: A Brief History of the Next 50 Years’
- 2004 – Launched nowandnext.com
- 1992 – Co-founded GDR Creative Intelligence
Testimonials
“Brilliant, Brilliant, Brilliant.” – London Business School
Speaking Topics
Richard Watson’s Official Keynote Topics:
- Futurism
- Marketing
- Digital Disruption
- AI
- Innovation
How Much Does Richard Watson Cost to Hire?
How Much Does it Cost to Hire Richard Watson?
Richard Watson’s speaking fee will vary depending on factors such as the event location, format, duration, and audience size. Contact The London Keynote Speakers Agency to check her latest availability and receive a bespoke quotation tailored to your event’s requirements.