Availability dot

Avalaible to book

Financial risk & governance expert

Nick Leeson

Risk Management

Business Ethics

Corporate Governance

Transform risk management and ethical leadership with Nick Leeson, speaker on financial risk and corporate governance. Nick works with financial institutions to prevent misconduct and strengthen oversight, delivering powerful insights from his experience in the Barings Bank collapse.

Check Availability & Fees

Check Availability & Fees

Check Nick’s availability

Trusted by NBCUniversal, INTL FCStone, Thomson Reuters, Kraft Heinz, Projective Group

Nick Leeson
Nick Leeson

Nick Leeson

Starting from

£6–10k

H3 link

Book Nick

Send an email

loading@getapeptalk.com

Give us a call

+44 203 835 2929

Enquire Nick Now

Availability dot
Instant quote
•
No upfront fee
•
Vetted speaker

Book Nick

Starting from

£6–10k

Send an email

loading@getapeptalk.com

Give us a call

+44 203 835 2929

Enquire Nick Now

Availability dot for speakers
Instant quote
•
No upfront fee
•
Vetted speaker

Speaker Biography

Educator

Finance

Author

Inspirational

Key topics about

  • Former derivatives trader behind Barings Bank collapse
  • Best selling author and subject of Hollywood movie, Rogue Trader
  • Sought-after speaker on accountability, ethics, compliance and risk management
Nick Leeson is best known as the rogue trader who brought down Barings Bank, one of the oldest and most prestigious financial institutions in Britain. His actions, driven by unchecked ambition and mounting pressure, resulted in losses of over $1.3 billion and exposed critical flaws in risk management and regulatory oversight. His story remains one of the most infamous financial scandals in history. Nick began his career as a clerk at Coutts Bank before rising through the ranks of various financial institutions. By the early 1990s, he was entrusted with a key trading role at Barings, overseeing operations on the Singapore Monetary Exchange. Initially seen as a star performer, he concealed mounting losses in a secret account, hoping to recover through increasingly risky trades. When the losses spiraled out of control, Barings collapsed, leading to his arrest, conviction, and a prison sentence in Singapore. After serving four years in prison and surviving a battle with cancer, Nick rebuilt his life, studying psychology and forging a new career as a speaker and commentator on financial risk, corporate misconduct, and resilience. His firsthand experience offers a unique perspective on the consequences of poor oversight and personal decision-making under pressure. His insights continue to be relevant in an era where financial scandals and regulatory failures remain a pressing concern.

Nick's Showreel and Videos

Topics, Sessions and Talks

The Failings of Barings Bank: Risk, Compliance And Transparency
Rogue Trading - An Insider’s Perspective
Nick Leeson’s meteoric rise and dramatic fall from grace remain one of the most infamous financial scandals in history. As the trader whose unchecked risk-taking led to the collapse of Barings Bank, Nick takes audiences behind the scenes of the high-stakes world of investment banking, revealing how ambition, pressure, and human error can spiral into disaster. With gripping detail and raw honesty, he unpacks the mechanics of rogue trading, the psychology behind his decisions, and the wider implications for financial institutions today. His story is both a cautionary tale and an unparalleled insight into the darker side of finance.

Why We Recommend Booking Nick

Gain a deeper understanding of financial risk, corporate accountability, and the human factors behind major failures. Nick Leeson’s story provides an unfiltered look at how small missteps can escalate into large-scale disasters, equipping your organisation with valuable lessons on compliance and risk management.

Check Nick's availability

Trusted by NBCUniversal, INTL FCStone, Thomson Reuters, Kraft Heinz, Projective Group

Featured Projects

Project image
Microphone icon - showcasing the speakers

15,000+ experts

People also viewed

Browse all profiles

Browse all profiles

Stephen Platt

Stephen Platt

4.7

Risk Management

Corporate Governance

  • Founder of International Compliance Association, compliance training
  • Founder and CEO of KYC360, regulatory technology
  • Author of Criminal Capital, book on financial crime

Check Stephen's fees

View Profile

Availability dot
Instant quote
•
No upfront fee
•
Vetted speaker
Sarah Armstrong Smith

Sarah Armstrong Smith

4.7

Cybersecurity

Crisis Management

Resilience

  • Chief Security Advisor at Microsoft
  • Named in UK’s Most Influential Tech Leaders
  • Author of Amazon best seller in cybersecurity

Check Sarah's fees

View Profile

Availability dot
Instant quote
•
No upfront fee
•
Vetted speaker
Colin Maclachlan

Colin Maclachlan

4.7

Leadership Development

Team Building

High Performance

  • 18-year military veteran in Royal Scots and 22 SAS
  • Star of SAS: Who Dares Wins
  • Experienced security and risk consultant

Check Colin's fees

View Profile

Availability dot
Instant quote
•
No upfront fee
•
Vetted speaker

frequently asked questions

Got Questions About Booking a Speaker?

Get in touch

Get in touch

What topics does Nick Leeson specialise in?
Nick Leeson specialises in discussing rogue trading, financial risk management, corporate misconduct and more.
What is Nick Leeson's speaking style like?
Nick delivers with clarity and honesty, engaging audiences through real-world insights and thoughtful preparation. His style is open, insightful, and focused on practical lessons in risk management and communication.
Does Nick Leeson offer virtual speaking engagements?
Yes, Nick Leeson offers virtual speaker bookings for webinars, online conferences, and remote or distributed team engagements.
Have all the speakers on the website previously worked with PepTalk?

Not necessarily. While the speakers listed on our website may not have worked with PepTalk in the past, they are recognized professionals in the industry and known to engage in similar events and engagements. We work with a wide variety of speaker agents and talent agencies to ensure we have the best selection of speakers, hosts, comedians and entertainers available.

Can I request autographs, personal greetings, signed merchandise, or fan mail from the speakers?

Sorry, we do not accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, or any non-commercial contact with the speakers, comedians or entertainers.

How can I report an issue or make changes to an expert profile?

If you notice something that needs attention or have any queries regarding an expert speaker profile, feel free to email us at experts@getapeptalk.com, and we’ll be happy to assist.

Can I book podcast guests through PepTalk?

Yes. PepTalk books commercial podcast guests every week of the year. A high-profile voice can boost your podcast's reach and deliver ideas to your audience at scale. Fees typically start from £1,200 / $1,500, depending on the expert. Our network includes bestselling authors, industry leaders, and cultural figures who have appeared on leading global podcasts — and many host their own. Whether you want bold insights, candid stories, or deep expertise, we'll help you find the right guest to elevate your show. Contact us today to book your next podcast guest.

Help, I need a last-minute speaker for my event!

No problem! We often handle last-minute requests and can secure or replace a speaker, comedian, awards or event host quickly — almost anywhere in the world. However, speaker availability might be limited as the event date approaches. Email hello@getapeptalk.com with your requirements.

Trusted by 5k+ clients

Book a Speaker
Who Nails It

Tell us what you’re working on and we’ll match you with the talent your audience won’t stop talking about.

Other ways to book:

Send an emailhello@getapeptalk.com
Give us a call+1 737 888 5112
Chat NowChat live with us
Waves on cta form
Waves on cta form