Julian Fisher is a private intelligence practitioner and author of Think Like a Spy, a guide to applying espionage techniques in everyday life. With over two decades of experience across diplomacy, security and intelligence, Julian draws on deep knowledge of international affairs and human behaviour to deliver insights into influence, leadership and risk.
His story began in inner-city Birmingham, where he was raised in one of Britain’s most deprived postcodes. Early life presented profound challenges, but a formative conversation with a refugee while hospitalised sparked a drive for personal growth and professional excellence. He went on to study Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Oxford University, before entering the British Diplomatic Service. His work took him across East and Southern Africa, and later into the private security sector, where he operated in high-risk environments including Somalia, Congo and South Sudan.
Julian later founded Africa Integrity Services, a private intelligence company focused on the continent. In 2017, he became widely known as the lead trainer on Channel 4’s Spies, which tested civilians on their potential for espionage. His published work draws on the same experience to help readers understand and ethically apply the principles used by intelligence officers - skills such as persuasion, elicitation and alliance-building.
He offers commentary on international risk, privacy, and threat intelligence, while also focusing on the psychology behind espionage and what it can teach us about communication and collaboration. Julian brings practical knowledge, hard-won wisdom and sharp insight to each talk, underpinned by a belief that the human element remains at the heart of intelligence work.
He divides his time between the Welsh Borders, South London and Cape Town, maintaining a personal connection to diverse cultures and communities. His sessions blend storytelling with applicable insight, offering a rare window into a world few people experience directly.
Julian Fisher explores how intelligence officers persuade people to do the seemingly impossible - sharing secrets and risking everything. Drawing from espionage psychology, he reveals the structured techniques spies use to influence, build trust and drive change. With stories from the field and personal experience, Julian offers tools for applying these skills in everyday life, from personal development to professional negotiation.
Through the lens of espionage, Julian Fisher examines how business leaders can develop sharper interpersonal awareness, navigate diverse cultural settings and grow authentic client relationships. He draws parallels between the motivations of intelligence agents and the dynamics of professional partnerships. Audiences gain practical approaches to trust-building, persuasion and communication, drawn from the shadowy world of spies.
With wit and lived experience, Julian Fisher lifts the lid on the practical skills spies use to survive unpredictable situations. From managing chaos in unfamiliar terrain to navigating power dynamics in hostile settings, this talk blends humour with insight. Behind the anecdotes lies a serious exploration of resilience, adaptability and creative problem-solving in the face of uncertainty.
Based on his work in conflict zones and volatile environments, Julian Fisher explores how intelligence professionals assess and manage risk in real time. Blending high-stakes stories with practical advice, this talk reveals how to think like a spy when facing danger or making critical decisions. With style and sharp delivery, Julian encourages audiences to reassess how they perceive threats, uncertainty and control.
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