Nick Leeson is best known as the rogue trader who brought down Barings Bank, one of the oldest and most prestigious financial institutions in Britain. His actions, driven by unchecked ambition and mounting pressure, resulted in losses of over $1.3 billion and exposed critical flaws in risk management and regulatory oversight. His story remains one of the most infamous financial scandals in history.
Nick began his career as a clerk at Coutts Bank before rising through the ranks of various financial institutions. By the early 1990s, he was entrusted with a key trading role at Barings, overseeing operations on the Singapore Monetary Exchange. Initially seen as a star performer, he concealed mounting losses in a secret account, hoping to recover through increasingly risky trades. When the losses spiraled out of control, Barings collapsed, leading to his arrest, conviction, and a prison sentence in Singapore.
After serving four years in prison and surviving a battle with cancer, Nick rebuilt his life, studying psychology and forging a new career as a speaker and commentator on financial risk, corporate misconduct, and resilience. His firsthand experience offers a unique perspective on the consequences of poor oversight and personal decision-making under pressure. His insights continue to be relevant in an era where financial scandals and regulatory failures remain a pressing concern.
How can I book Nick Leeson for my next event?
Email nick.leeson@getapeptalk.com, or call us on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm availability and fees. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and a bit about your audience.
PepTalk are the official speaking agents for Nick Leeson available to book for corporate events, conference keynotes, leadership talks, celebrity endorsements, personal appearances, and motivational speaking engagements. We can assist with enquiries about Nick Leeson's speaking fees, availability, and booking process for private business functions, industry conferences, and team events. For media interviews, charity appearances, or personal matters, we recommend contacting Nick directly.
What topics does Nick Leeson specialise in?
Nick Leeson specialises in discussing rogue trading, financial risk management, corporate misconduct and more.
What is Nick Leeson's speaking style like?
Nick delivers with clarity and honesty, engaging audiences through real-world insights and thoughtful preparation. His style is open, insightful, and focused on practical lessons in risk management and communication.
Does Nick Leeson offer virtual speaking engagements?
Yes, Nick Leeson offers virtual speaker bookings for webinars, online conferences, and remote or distributed team engagements.