Misha Glenny | Keynote Speaker

Misha Glenny: Award-Winning Journalist and Global Affairs Expert

Misha Glenny has built a career explaining some of the most complex and urgent issues of the past three decades. He reported for the BBC as Central Europe Correspondent during the 1989 revolutions and the wars in the former Yugoslavia, giving him a deep understanding of Eastern Europe, conflict, power and political change.

He later became known as one of the world’s leading voices on organised crime, cyber security and the links between technology, money laundering and global instability. For event hosts looking for a Misha Glenny speaker, his value lies in his ability to reveal staggering details without losing the audience in complexity.

Misha explains how global organised crime, cyber malfeasance and geopolitical tension now affect governments, companies and the financial world. His talks are sharp, illuminating and full of real-world examples that help audiences understand where the dangers lie.

Accolades and Contributions

Misha Glenny’s work in journalism and broadcasting has earned major recognition. He received the Sony Gold Award for Outstanding Contribution to Broadcasting and was also named BT’s Information Security Journalist of the Year.

He is a regular voice across BBC Radio and major television series, bringing clarity to topics that often feel hidden, technical or hard to grasp. In 2026, after serving as Rector of the Institute for Human Sciences in Vienna, Misha became the new presenter of BBC Radio 4’s In Our Time.

His broadcasting work includes programmes on geopolitics, cyber security, technology and power. His BBC Radio 4 series The Scramble for Rare Earths explored the global race for control of rare earth metals and why these resources matter to technology, energy and international relations.

Acclaimed Publications, Adaptations and Podcasts

Misha Glenny is the author of several influential books, including McMafia: Seriously Organised Crime and DarkMarket: How Hackers Became the New Mafia. These works have helped shape public understanding of global organised crime, cyber attacks, money laundering and the online networks that support modern criminal activity.

McMafia was adapted into a major television drama series produced by the BBC and AMC. The book revealed how traditional organised crime had become global, professional and deeply connected to legitimate business, politics and finance.

His book Nemesis: One Man and the Battle for Rio tells the story of a major Brazilian drug trafficker and the battle for power in Rio de Janeiro. It has also been developed for television, showing the continued interest in Misha’s ability to turn complex real-world crime stories into compelling narratives.

Misha’s podcast work has also reached large audiences. Putin: Prisoner of Power examined Vladimir Putin’s rise and grip on Russia, while The Rise of the Iron Men looked at the global rise of populist leaders including Donald Trump, Boris Johnson, Viktor Orban, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Jair Bolsonaro, Narendra Modi and Rodrigo Duterte.

Expertise in Organised Crime

Misha Glenny offers a rare view into seriously organised crime and the networks that sit behind it. His work covers money laundering, people smuggling, the drugs trade, cyber crime and the sex trades, showing how these industries connect with politics, finance and technology.

One of his key insights is that new technology is reshaping traditional organised crime. Criminal networks no longer rely only on old models of power and intimidation. They now use digital tools, encrypted platforms, online markets, cyber attacks and jaw-dropping social engineering to reach targets and move money across borders.

For business leaders, this makes his talks especially relevant. Expensive digital security systems are only part of the answer. Misha reveals how human behaviour, weak processes and poor awareness can leave even the world’s leading financial institutions vulnerable.

Geopolitical Insights and Cyber Security

Misha’s geopolitical expertise gives his cyber security talks a wider frame. He explains how great power relations, central governments, criminal networks and technology companies all shape the cyber threat landscape.

His key message for corporate audiences is clear: cyber security is not just an IT issue. It is a board-level risk linked to politics, regulation, reputation, supply chains and global instability.

Misha explains why businesses cannot simply rely on governments to protect them. Instead, leaders need to understand how cyber threats evolve, how new technology changes the risk environment and how organisations can build stronger awareness across teams.

A Keynote Speaker for Corporate Events

Misha Glenny is a strong choice for corporate events that need substance, pace and a genuinely global perspective. His speaking engagements are known for their storytelling, depth and ability to connect major world events with the practical concerns of business audiences.

He can speak on global organised crime, cyber security, cyber threats, geopolitics, financial crime, cryptocurrencies, money laundering and the ways new technology is reshaping traditional organised crime.

His style is intelligent, accessible and thought-provoking. He does not offer scare tactics. Instead, he gives audiences the context they need to understand what is happening, why it matters and what leaders should be paying attention to next.

Book Misha Glenny to Speak at Your Next Event

Book Misha Glenny as your keynote speaker if you want your audience to better understand the links between cyber security, organised crime, geopolitics and business risk.

With decades of experience as an award-winning journalist, broadcaster and author, Misha brings a unique perspective to the stage. His talks help audiences see beyond the headlines and understand the systems, incentives and power struggles shaping the modern world.

Whether your event focuses on cyber threats, global organised crime, political risk, financial crime or the future of digital security, Misha Glenny delivers an illuminating talk that will keep your audience engaged from start to finish.

Contact us today to learn more about booking Misha Glenny for your next event.