Mike Soutar

Mike Soutar has spent a career navigating the critical junctures between success and failure, bringing real-world leadership insights to life with clarity and honesty. With a background spanning journalism, media, entrepreneurship and advisory roles, he offers audiences battle-tested strategies for building resilient teams and businesses in a rapidly evolving world. Beginning his career writing horoscopes for a local magazine in Dundee, Mike’s journey saw him ascend through some of the UK's most recognisable media brands. He played a pivotal role in transforming Kiss FM’s fortunes as Managing Director and led market-defining publications like Smash Hits and FHM to peak success during the 1990s. His entrepreneurial drive led him to co-found Shortlist Media in 2007, growing it from a five-person start-up to a major media group employing over 200 people, and achieving a significant sale just eight years later. Mike’s ability to lead through uncertainty and turn ideas into thriving ventures has also been reflected in his roles as a board director, non-executive advisor and trustee across industries ranging from fintech to cultural institutions. Known to millions for his forensic interviews on BBC One’s The Apprentice, he has spent over a decade analysing business ideas and leadership traits under pressure, earning a reputation for incisiveness and rigour. Today, Mike continues to champion British business as a member of the Government’s Board of Trade and serves as a mentor to the next generation of leaders. With three decades of experience across media, entrepreneurship and corporate governance, he brings an unflinching yet practical perspective to leadership, decision-making and resilience in business.