One of the highlights of the Symposium is the chance to hear directly from leading voices outside PwC. This year, we’ve gone further — inviting distinguished and highly engaging keynote speakers who will challenge, inspire, and spark new thinking with their unique insights and perspectives.
Emily Maitlis
Emily Maitlis is a distinguished journalist whose incisive reporting and engaging style have made her a trusted voice in global politics. As host of the award-winning podcast The News Agents and The News Agents USA with Global Media, she delivers clear analysis of UK and US political landscapes, drawing on her coverage of major elections. Her 2024 Channel 4 election specials, including the UK General Election and US coverage from Washington, earned widespread praise for their depth and accessibility. Previously, she anchored BBC’s Newsnight for 16 years and executive-produced Amazon Prime’s A Very Royal Scandal, based on her landmark 2019 Prince Andrew interview.
Emily's Sunday Times bestseller Airhead and her 2024 James MacTaggart Lecture at the Edinburgh TV Festival explore the evolving role of journalism in democracy, addressing challenges like misinformation. Recognised with multiple RTS and British Journalism Awards, Emily’s expertise in media and politics offers deep insights into how populist and progressive narratives influence markets and public policy.
Helle Thorning-Schmidt
Helle Thorning-Schmidt brings a wealth of experience in politics, humanitarian work, and corporate governance, offering a seasoned perspective on global challenges. As Denmark’s first female Prime Minister (2011–2015) and leader of the Social Democrats for a decade, she guided her country through the financial crisis, prioritising education investment and reducing child poverty.
Recognised by Fortune as one of the world’s greatest leaders in 2017, she later served as CEO of Save the Children (2016–2019), leading 17,000 staff across 120 countries to support 50 million children in crises like Yemen and Syria. Her leadership in navigating complex issues has earned her global respect.
Today, Helle advises businesses and organisations, serving as a non-executive director for companies like Palo Alto Networks, Vestas, and Vista Equity Partners, focusing on cybersecurity, sustainable energy, and technology. As Co-Chair of Meta’s Oversight Board and a member of think tanks like the US Council on Foreign Relations and the European Council for Foreign Relations, she shapes discussions on geopolitics and digital policy. With master’s degrees from the University of Copenhagen and the College of Europe, Helle’s insights into economic stability and progressive governance offers experienced and practical perspectives on global trends and trade.
Mo Gawdat
Mo Gawdat is a respected innovator and author whose career in technology and personal mission to spread happiness offer unique insights for modern audiences. As former Chief Business Officer of Google [X], he shaped groundbreaking projects like Project Loon and self-driving cars, driving innovation in emerging markets over a 27-year career that included roles at IBM, Microsoft, and Google. A serial entrepreneur, Mo co-founded over 20 businesses in health, fitness, and real estate, and has advised numerous startups and technology boards, bringing a practical lens to business strategy and disruption.
Following the loss of his son Ali, Mo authored the bestselling Solve for Happy, launching the #OneBillionHappy movement to promote scientifically grounded well-being. His podcast Slo Mo, a UK #1 Mental Health hit, and books like Scary Smart and Unstressable explore AI ethics and stress management. Earlier this year, his Substack project Alive examined AI’s societal impact, offering a forward-looking perspective. Mo’s blend of tech expertise and human-centered insights will challenge understanding on what it truly means to be alive.