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Behavioural economics & influence expert

Paul Craven

Transform decision-making with Paul Craven, speaker specialising in behavioural economics and psychology of influence. Paul works with organisations to optimise outcomes through practical behavioural insights, delivering expertise gained from Goldman Sachs, PIMCO and the Cialdini Institute.

Trusted by Nationwide, Zurich, Accenture, NHS, National Grid

Paul Craven, Speaker, Behavioural Economics Expert
Paul Craven

Paul Craven

London, United Kingdom

Typical fee range

£11k–25k

This is an estimated fee range for local in-person events. Location and format affect the final fee.

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London, United Kingdom

Starting from

£11k–25k

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loading@getapeptalk.com

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+44 203 835 2929

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Paul Craven's biography

At a glance

  • Expert in behavioural economics and decision making
  • Former Managing Director at Goldman Sachs
  • Founding member of the Cialdini Institute, the science of ethical persuasion
Paul Craven is an expert in behavioural economics and decision making, specialising in the psychology of influence and human behaviour in business. Drawing on three decades of experience in global asset management with Schroders, PIMCO, and Goldman Sachs, Paul has built a career understanding how people make decisions in real-world contexts and helping organisations optimise outcomes. Since founding Paul Craven Partners Ltd in 2014, Paul has dedicated his work to promoting behavioural economics, blending his deep financial expertise with cutting-edge psychological insights. He is also a founding member of the Cialdini Institute, an organisation focused on the principles of ethical persuasion and influence, and is certified to deliver its globally respected training programmes. Paul's ability to translate complex behavioural theories into practical, actionable strategies has made him a much sought-after speaker, and he has delivered hundreds of talks to a diverse range of audiences, from entrepreneurs to investors to lawyers to tech companies. He weaves storytelling, real-world examples, and interactive elements into his sessions, often surprising audiences with extra insights drawn from his interest in the psychological techniques behind magic. Beyond his work in behavioural economics, Paul serves as an adviser to the investment committee of a major UK pension scheme. He is also a visiting lecturer at the London Business School and his first book on behavioural science will be published in 2025. Paul's engaging, personable and interactive approach ensures his talks resonate with audiences, leaving participants with not just new knowledge but also actionable insights to apply with immediate effect in their business and life.

Paul's showreel and videos

Topics, sessions and talks

Ethical Influence and Persuasion
Paul Craven will explore ethical influence and persuasion, highlighting how psychology can enhance communication in sales, marketing, leadership, and team culture. He emphasises that success often hinges on our ability to encourage others to agree with constructive ideas. By applying the principles of ethical influence, attendees will learn to facilitate quicker and more frequent agreements, utilising the seven established Principles of Persuasion to foster win-win outcomes in various professional interactions.
Biases in Investment and Business
Paul Craven will explore the impact of biases in investment and business decisions. He will discuss how cognitive biases can influence judgement leading to suboptimal outcomes. Attendees will gain insights into recognising these biases and strategies to mitigate their effects, ultimately enhancing decision making processes. By the end of the session, participants will have a deeper understanding of how to navigate biases effectively in their professional lives.
Group Decision Making Around Board Tables
Paul Craven will explore the dynamics of group decision making in corporate settings. He will discuss the challenges and benefits of collaborative decision processes, highlighting how diverse perspectives can enhance outcomes. Attendees will gain insights into effective strategies for fostering productive discussions, managing conflicts, and ensuring that all voices are heard. By the end of the session, participants will learn how to improve their own decision making practices within their organisations.

Why we recommend booking Paul

Book Paul Craven to unlock the secrets of decision making and persuasion. His unique blend of behavioural economics, psychology, and business experience offers actionable insights to boost communication and sales skills. Discover how people make decisions and master the art and science of ethical persuasion through engaging, evidence-based strategies.

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Trusted by Nationwide, Zurich, Accenture, NHS, National Grid

Testimonials

Paul's superb content, combined with captivating examples and practical exercises and his energetic, engaging and fun delivery style make for a lethal combination. He does not simply educate his audience - he inspires them.

Costas Markides

Professor of Strategy & Entrepreneurship, London Business School

Paul has the rare ability to both entertain and educate, making the audience question previously held assumptions.

Alex Beveridge

European Investor Institute

The best psychologists are magicians. Paul demonstrates this – with that all-too-rare mixture of erudition, wit and practical ideas.

Rory Sutherland

Vice-Chairman, Ogilvy

frequently asked questions

Something we've not covered here?

How do I book Paul Craven for my next event?
Email paul.craven@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 Paul'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.
What is Paul Craven's speaking style like?
Paul Craven structures his sessions around the application of established behavioural science frameworks — most notably the seven Principles of Persuasion from the Cialdini Institute, of which he is a founding member — drawing on three decades of experience in global asset management to ground psychological theory in real-world business contexts. He incorporates storytelling, case-based examples, and interactive elements, and is known to draw on psychological techniques from the world of magic to illustrate how influence and bias operate in practice.
What topics does Paul Craven specialise in?
Paul Craven speaks on ethical influence and persuasion, cognitive biases in investment and business decisions, and group decision-making in corporate settings. He draws on three decades in global asset management at firms including Goldman Sachs and PIMCO, and is a founding member of the Cialdini Institute.
Can PepTalk help plan the speaker programme for my event?

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