FT Book Awards
(92 Speakers — Moments of Influence Calendar | Autumn 2026)
Where Insight Becomes Strategy
In the global market for ideas, the Financial Times and Standard Chartered Business Book of the Year Award is more than a literary prize; it is a forecast. As we move through 2026, the books that reach this shortlist do not just capture the zeitgeist, they define the structural shifts that will dictate board-room priorities for the next decade.
At 92 Speakers, we understand that for the C-suite, the "Business Book of the Year" is a critical diagnostic. It separates the "noise" of transient trends from the intellectual chemistry of enduring change.
The 2026 Narrative: Beyond the Hype Cycle
This year, the partnership between the FT and Standard Chartered has doubled down on the "Bracken Prize," spotlighting the young authors who provide fresh, often uncomfortable perspectives on the forces shaping modern business. From the rise of sovereign AI hardware, echoing Stephen Witt’s 2025 win for The Thinking Machine; to the ethics of algorithmic governance, the 2026 shortlist is where the world’s most complex challenges find a definitive narrative.
For corporate event planners and executive teams, these awards offer a curated map of the high-performance landscape. They remind us that leadership credibility is built on a foundation of continuous learning and the courage to engage with ideas that challenge the status quo.
The 92 Selection: From the Page to the Podium
At 92 Speakers, we represent the practitioners and thinkers who don't just write the books, they live the strategies. We are not trading on celebrity status; we are trading on the functional authority of voices that translate these award-winning insights into actionable corporate movement.
Paul Polman: A perennial figure in the "impact" conversation, Polman’s work on Net Positive leadership remains the definitive roadmap for boards moving from sustainability as a "cost" to sustainability as a "competitive advantage."
Matthew Syed: the award-winning journalist and author of Black Box Thinking, who deconstructs the psychology of high performance and the critical necessity of a "growth mindset" in a high-friction economy.
Zack Kass: the former Head of Go-to-Market at OpenAI, brings the principles of his January 2026 bestseller, The Next Renaissance: AI and the Expansion of Human Potential. He moves beyond the "doom-laden" narratives to show boards how to close the adoption gap and leverage AI as a collaborative partner for human flourishing
Dambisa Moyo: A master of global macro-trends, Baroness Moyo deconstructs the geopolitical tremors and board-room dynamics that dictate how capital and power flow in a fragmented world.
Why the "Book Award Mindset" Defines Your Next Event
For organisations planning leadership offsites or global forums, the themes of the FT and Standard Chartered Awards are the primary drivers of executive inquiry. When these authors and strategists are delivering keynotes or appearing on stage, they provide the authoritative roadmap for navigating volatility.
A 92 Speaker doesn't just "summarise" a book. They create a moment of influence, sharpening your team’s thinking, strengthening your strategic resilience, and ensuring that the story your business tells becomes the future you build.
In 2026, the best business minds aren't just reading the future; they are architecting it.