Adjiedj Bakas is a globally recognised trendwatcher, bestselling author and visionary speaker. With humour, clarity and foresight, he helps leaders and organisations anticipate change, inspiring them to navigate disruption and create successful, sustainable futures.





"Adjiedj Bakas gave a wonderful and inspiring speech at the opening of our conference about the future of boat, during our annual Fair BOOT Düsseldorf 2014. Our audience was really delighted!""
"Adjiedj Bakas heeft bijgedragen aan het welslagen van de NAVO Parlementaire Assemblee. Zijn visie heeft geleid tot een prikkelende discussie."
"Adjiedj Bakas opened our annual conference with a speech about trends in leisure and sustainability. It was even better than what I imagined! The perfect start for a good conference."
Adjiedj Bakas is one of the world’s most influential futurists, renowned for his ability to translate complex trends into engaging, practical insights. Combining humour with serious foresight, he has inspired governments, multinational corporations and entrepreneurs to prepare for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow.
Born in Suriname in 1963, of Indian heritage, Bakas has lived and worked in the Netherlands since 1983. After studying Communication Theory at Utrecht University, he began a career in radio and communications before founding Trend Office Bakas, his international consultancy.
He has advised an impressive range of clients across industries, including Shell, Unilever, Apple, Nike, ING, ABN AMRO, Merrill Lynch, Deloitte, KPMG and Air France KLM. Each year, he delivers around 200 keynote sessions worldwide, addressing leaders in business, government and education.
His influence has been recognised with titles such as Black Entrepreneur of the Year and Trendwatcher of the Year. Dutch business media have ranked him among the most creative and influential figures in the country, while international outlets describe him as “engaging” (BBC), “inspiring” (The Guardian) and “provocative” (TV2 Denmark).
Bakas delivers what he calls “infotainment” presentations that blend sharp analysis with humour, storytelling and provocation. His energetic style keeps audiences engaged while challenging them to rethink assumptions and embrace bold new ideas. Attendees leave his sessions entertained, informed and ready to act on the insights he shares.
Adjiedj Bakas is the author of more than ten bestselling books that have been translated into 40 countries and sold over 600,000 copies worldwide. His works explore themes ranging from global megatrends and the future of finance to sustainability and spirituality. Notable titles include World Megatrends, which became a number one Amazon.com bestseller; Living Without Oil, co-authored with Rob Creemers, which examines innovation…
Adjiedj Bakas is one of the world’s most influential futurists, renowned for his ability to translate complex trends into engaging, practical insights. Combining humour with serious foresight, he has inspired governments, multinational corporations and entrepreneurs to prepare for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow.
Born in Suriname in 1963, of Indian heritage, Bakas has lived and worked in the Netherlands since 1983. After studying Communication Theory at Utrecht University, he began a career in radio and communications before founding Trend Office Bakas, his international consultancy.
He has advised an impressive range of clients across industries, including Shell, Unilever, Apple, Nike, ING, ABN AMRO, Merrill Lynch, Deloitte, KPMG and Air France KLM. Each year, he delivers around 200 keynote sessions worldwide, addressing leaders in business, government and education.
His influence has been recognised with titles such as Black Entrepreneur of the Year and Trendwatcher of the Year. Dutch business media have ranked him among the most creative and influential figures in the country, while international outlets describe him as “engaging” (BBC), “inspiring” (The Guardian) and “provocative” (TV2 Denmark).
Bakas delivers what he calls “infotainment” presentations that blend sharp analysis with humour, storytelling and provocation. His energetic style keeps audiences engaged while challenging them to rethink assumptions and embrace bold new ideas. Attendees leave his sessions entertained, informed and ready to act on the insights he shares.
Adjiedj Bakas is the author of more than ten bestselling books that have been translated into 40 countries and sold over 600,000 copies worldwide. His works explore themes ranging from global megatrends and the future of finance to sustainability and spirituality. Notable titles include World Megatrends, which became a number one Amazon.com bestseller; Living Without Oil, co-authored with Rob Creemers, which examines innovation in a post-fossil fuel world; and The Future of Faith, which considers how politics, economics and environment will reshape our values and beliefs. His books are widely used by universities, policymakers and business leaders as essential guides to navigating the future.
Beyond his work as a trendwatcher and speaker, Adjiedj Bakas has made significant contributions across media, governance and thought leadership. He hosted the Dutch television programme Studio Innovation & Co-Creation and is a regular contributor to international media, where he is recognised as a leading voice on global future trends. He also serves as a Supervisory Board Member for the Central Agency for Welcoming Asylum Seekers (COA) and writes as a columnist and commentator for various professional journals, further extending his influence into policy and public debate.
Contact us now for more information on how Adjiedj Bakas can inspire your organisation with future insights, challenge conventional thinking and equip your teams to embrace change with confidence.

The World’s Greatest Living Explorer, who has led more than twenty expeditions to the remotest regions of the world. He has climbed Mt Everest, run 7 marathons in 7 days on 7 continents and was the first man to cross both the polar ice caps. A true legend and inspirational figure of our time, he is a highly sought-after speaker.

Rita McGrath is a globally recognised expert on strategy and innovation, ranked among the world’s top 10 management thinkers. A Columbia Business School professor and acclaimed author, she helps leaders anticipate inflection points, seize opportunities, and adapt for sustained success in fast-changing environments.