Available to book
Ben Timberlake
Risk Management
Behavioural Science
Decision Making
Transform decision-making under pressure with Ben Timberlake, speaker on risk management and resilience. Ben works with organisations to develop leadership in high-stakes environments, drawing from SAS experience and bestselling author credentials.
Business Consulting
Journalist
Psychology
Mindset
Military
Humanitarian
Philanthropy
Doctor
Ben Timberlake is a security consultant and medic with extensive experience in high-risk environments, particularly in Iraq and Syria. His insights into decision-making in challenging situations are informed by a career that spans military service, archaeology, and journalism.
As a former member of the SAS, he has undertaken undercover missions addressing critical issues such as nuclear terrorism and trafficking, providing him with a unique perspective on resilience and leadership.
Ben published his bestselling autobiography, High Risk: A True Story of the SAS, Drugs and Other Bad Behaviour, which chronicles his remarkable journey and the lessons learned from his experiences. His writing has appeared in publications like the Financial Times, The Guardian, and The Economist, and he has produced documentaries for Channel 4 and the BBC.
Currently, Ben is engaged in archaeological work in Iraq and Syria, where he focuses on countering the trade in looted antiquities. His academic background includes the study of prehistoric art and the origins of human creativity, informing his belief that our projects can bridge the achievements of our ancestors with contemporary aspirations.
As a co-founder of Jonah X Projects, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to exploring and promoting heritage, art, and culture, Ben is committed to celebrating the shared stories that unite us. His dynamic storytelling and profound understanding of human behaviour in extreme situations make him a compelling speaker, offering valuable insights into the psychology of risk and the importance of post-traumatic growth.
Topics, sessions and talks
Ben Timberlake explores what draws people to danger and the mental processes behind high-stakes decision-making. Drawing from his experiences in combat, undercover operations, and extreme environments, he examines the neuroscience of risk-taking and flow states, shedding light on how people push their limits. Audiences gain a deeper understanding of resilience, adaptability, and how to apply risk-management strategies in their own professional and personal lives.
Through first-hand accounts of working in war-torn regions, Ben Timberlake examines the impact of conflict on cultural heritage and the communities that depend on it. He shares stories of archaeological discoveries in Iraq and Syria, the fight against antiquities trafficking, and the role of heritage in shaping national identity. This session highlights how history is weaponised and preserved, offering a thought-provoking look at the intersection of archaeology, politics, and resilience.
Unlock unparalleled insights with Ben Timberlake, a former SAS operative and acclaimed author. His expertise in high-risk environments and human behaviour equips teams to navigate challenges effectively. Book him now to enhance your understanding of resilience and leadership in today’s complex landscape.
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frequently asked questions
Something we've not covered here?
Email ben.timberlake@getapeptalk.com or call PepTalk on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm Ben's availability and fees. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and a bit about your audience.
Ben Timberlake structures his sessions around first-hand accounts drawn from his career across military service, archaeology, and journalism, using these experiences as case studies to illustrate the neuroscience of risk-taking and decision-making in high-stakes environments.
Ben Timberlake's sessions cover the psychology of risk and high-stakes decision-making, the archaeology and socio-political consequences of conflict, and the trafficking of looted antiquities in war zones. He is a former SAS operative whose autobiography, High Risk: A True Story of the SAS, Drugs and Other Bad Behaviour, became a bestseller.
No. PepTalk adds no booking fee, so you pay the speaker's fee and nothing beyond it. The service, from shortlist through to contracts and event-day logistics, is included. For repeat or multi-event bookings, PepTalk can agree preferential rates with your procurement team.
Share your event date, audience, format, objectives and budget, and PepTalk sends a hand-picked shortlist within 24 hours. Each suggestion comes with a profile, a fee and a recommendation on the strongest fit. Once you choose, PepTalk handles contracts, travel and logistics through to event day.
The typical fee range is the speaker's standard in-person fee in their home market, shown in their local currency. It moves with format, location, date and session length: virtual sessions and shorter slots usually cost less, while international travel and peak dates cost more. Send your brief to PepTalk and the team will confirm the exact fee in your currency.
Not all of them, and it makes no difference to your booking. PepTalk's network of 15,000+ speakers covers talent the team works with directly alongside speakers represented by agents and agencies worldwide. PepTalk approaches the speaker, negotiates the fee and handles contracting either way.
Three to six months ahead is comfortable for most events, and 12 months is better for large conferences, peak-season dates or one specific in-demand speaker. Shorter timelines are workable, and PepTalk regularly fills last-minute and replacement bookings within days. Availability is the constraint, so get in touch as soon as you have a date.
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