Ian Goldin
Economist, Professor, Authority on Globalisation, Systemic Risk & Interconnected Megatrends
Ian Goldin is best known for explaining why the greatest risks facing the world are not isolated events, but failures that spread. An economist and former Vice President of the World Bank, Ian focuses on how globalisation has tightly interconnected finance, health, climate, technology, and geopolitics, creating extraordinary opportunity alongside unprecedented fragility.
His work shows how shocks now cascade across borders and systems, turning local failures into global crises with alarming speed. Rather than treating pandemics, financial crashes, climate disruption, or political instability as separate problems.
Goldin maps how they interact, compound, and overwhelm institutions designed for a slower, simpler world. For leaders, his insight reframes globalisation as a high- performance but high-risk system, one that demands foresight, coordination, and resilience rather than complacency or retreat.
Signature Keynotes
-
Why small shocks now cause global failure.
-
When connectivity becomes risk.
-
What leaders consistently underestimate.
-
Preparing for cascading crises.
-
Why isolation no longer works.
The Goldin Effect
Global risk is understood as interconnected, not episodic.
Leaders leave able to:
Recognise how shocks cascade across systems and borders
Understand why complexity amplifies risk as well as opportunity
Anticipate second- and third-order consequences of disruption
Rethink resilience in an interdependent world
Lead with preparedness rather than false certainty
Why Book Ian
Ian Goldin brings rare authority to conversations about global risk and megatrends. Trusted by governments, institutions, and global organisations, he helps leaders understand why prevention, cooperation, and long-term thinking now matter more than reaction in a tightly coupled world.
Explore More Globalisation & Megatrends Speakers
Helle Thorning-Schmidt: Global Leader & Former Prime Minister Digital Governance Expert
Rana Foroohar: FT Columnist & CNN Analyst, Expert on Post Global Economics
David Miliband: CEO of International Rescue Committee, Expert on Global Disorder
Timothy Garton Ash: European Historian & Author, Expert on Democracy
Rory Stewart: Professor of Grand Strategy & Podcaster, Former UK Cabinet Minister
Margrethe Vestager: Former EU Competition Chief, Expert on AI Ethics & Digital Power