Oliver Balch

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Oliver Balch

Oliver Balch is a widely recognised expert on sustainability and the changing role of business in society, having worked in the field for more than two decades.

Driven by the belief that the private sector can – and must – serve as an engine for positive societal change, as a journalist and researcher, he has examined the sustainability debate at close quarters, interviewing thousands of business entrepreneurs, community changemakers, and policy innovators.

Oliver’s PhD from Cambridge University focused on corporate-community relations. In early 2024 Oliver became a Senior Associate at the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership at the University of Cambridge.

Oliver is a popular keynote speaker, bringing his signature mix of solutions-based positivity to his public presentations. Sensitive to the complexity of sustainability, he is an expert at communicating what companies need to know, and how they should act.

Contact Great British Speakers today to book business sustainability speaker Oliver Balch for your next event.

Type Of Talent

Business & FinanceEvent HostsKeynoteModerators & FacilitatorsPresentersSpeakerSustainabilitySustainabilityTravel

More About Oliver Balch

Oliver Balch currently holds two Master’s degrees and a Doctorate; the first MA came from Durham University in Modern History, whilst the second came from the University of Cambridge, also in Modern History. In 2017, he gained a Doctorate in Latin American Studies from the University of Cambridge, focussing on corporate social responsibility and Latin American affairs.

After his second MA, Oliver worked for Corporate Citizenship where he helped advise large UK-based businesses on regulation and social risk management. He stayed here until 2004, where he started up his own business as a writer, researcher, moderator, and keynote speaker.

Oliver uses his experience and expertise to demonstrate that businesses must be transformed for the world’s good as well as their own, and provides a range of ways to make it possible.

Holding three top degrees in international business, history, and anthropology, Oliver is superbly positioned to provide audiences with the latest academic thinking.

Oliver Balch hire British Author and freelance writer speaker book at agent Great British Speakers

WRITER

Oliver is a regular contributor to publications including The Guardian, The Financial Times, Positive News, Reuters, and The Times. He has also worked as a book reviewer for The Financial Times, The Literary Review, The Spectator, and The Times Literary Supplement. Over the years Oliver as also provided long-term editorial work for big names such as the World Bank, Cambridge University, and the United Nations.

To date, Oliver has written three bestselling books:

– Viva South America! A Journey Through a Restless Continent (2009) which takes the reader off of the tourist trail and into the wonderful worlds of South American culture.

– India Rising: Tales From a Changing Nation: Travels in Modern India (2012) takes the stories of everyday Indians and presents them in a fresh account of the changes as they’re unfolding.

– Under the Tump: Sketches of Real Life on the Welsh Borders (2016) conveys the daily routines of Oliver’s fellow residents.

He is currently working on his next book, titled Out of Amazonia.

CORPORATE

Thanks to his qualifications and 20+ years of experience, Oliver is often invited to take part in corporate events, such as literary festivals, and award ceremonies as a keynote speaker, chair, moderator, or host.

He has moderated a large number of panel discussions, chaired roundtables – particularly for The Guardian, moderated at festivals including Hay-on-Wye literary festival, and worked with blue-chip companies such as Pepsi and Unilever.

Oliver Balch hire British Author and freelance writer speaker book at agent Great British Speakers

SPEAKING TOPICS

– Sustainable Business

– Media and Communications

– Business Ethics

– Net Zero/Climate Change

– Human Rights

– Reputation Management

– Circular Economy

– Social Innovation

– Work and Careers

– Travel Journalism

PAST EVENTS AND CLIENTS

– The Guardian: Chair at industry roundtables

– University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainable Leadership: Senior Fellow

– Porto Business school: MBA lecturer

– Web Summit in Lisbon: Moderator

– B Corp Europe: Panel chair

– Blue Earth Summit: Panel chair

– Team Lewis (PR): Event moderator

– Green Alley Awards (Circular Economy): MC

– United Nations Environment Programme: Editor

– World Bank: Editor

– Edinburgh Book Festival: Speaker

– Dartington Words Festival: Speaker

– Essex Book Festival: Speaker

– Henley Book Festival: Speaker

– Cheltenham Literature Festival: Moderator

– Oxford Literary Festival: Moderator

Call +44 1753 439 289 or email Great British Speakers now to book business sustainability speaker Oliver Balch for your next live event.

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Testimonials

Oliver Balch is a perfect host. He can do invisible facilitator or toe-to-toe interrogator. He’s always prepped and makes the guests shine. Hay chair MVP.
Peter Florence, Former CEO of Hay Festival and Co-Chair of Booker Prizer

Oliver has been a consistently excellent moderator of the Green Alley Awards. He presents the awards with wit, warmth, and enthusiasm and his stage management was perfect.
Nick Purser, Corporate Communications Manager, Landbell Group

Oliver is a brilliant writer and thinker. Brimming with ideas, creativity and a real grasp of the big issues of our day. His writing is sharp, opinionated and stands out from the crowd. He is supremely organised, always delivers on time, and has a “can do” attitude.
Jonny McCaig, Global Reporting Director, Unilever

Oliver is a talented and engaging writer, able to break down the complex into the accessible. He has deep knowledge about sustainability, climate, environmental and social justice issues. He is also a joy to work with.
Adele Williams, Director of Communications, University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership