Nick Leeson

Nick Leeson’s story is one of the most dramatic tales in modern financial history. As the rogue trader responsible for the collapse of Barings Bank in 1995, his unchecked trading led to one of the world’s most infamous financial scandals, ultimately bringing down Britain’s oldest merchant bank. Nick is now an in-demand keynote and after-dinner speaker, sharing extraordinary lessons on risk management, corporate responsibility, and resilience.

Born in Watford, Nick’s journey from a working-class background to the upper echelons of international finance was as meteoric as it was turbulent. His catastrophic losses in the Singaporean money markets led to his arrest and a six-and-a-half-year prison sentence. He spent four and a half years in a notorious Singaporean prison, enduring harsh conditions, Triad gang violence, and a life-threatening battle with colon cancer. Released on compassionate grounds in 1999, Nick defied all odds to survive and rebuild his life.

Nick’s story, brought to life in the Hollywood film Rogue Trader (starring Ewan McGregor and Anna Friel), continues to resonate globally, particularly in the wake of financial scandals such as Lehman Brothers, Enron, Société Générale, UBS, and Allied Irish Bank. His unique insights into corporate failure and risk have made him a sought-after speaker for major financial institutions, universities, MBA programmes, and global corporations.

Through his powerful and candid keynotes, Nick examines the dangers of corporate complacency, the importance of robust risk management, and the human side of failure. His story is both a cautionary tale and an inspiring narrative of redemption, offering audiences practical lessons and a rare inside perspective on the world of high-stakes finance.

To book Keynote Speaker Nick Leeson, contact The Speakers Agency on +44(0)1332 810481 or email enquiries@thespeakersagency.com