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Rory Cellan-Jones
Transform digital understanding with Rory Cellan-Jones, speaker and technology expert. Rory helps organisations navigate technological change and digital transformation, bringing four decades of BBC journalism expertise and recognised authority on social media evolution.
Rory Cellan-Jones is a former Technology Correspondent for the BBC, where he spent 40 years reporting on banking scandals, business institutions, and the evolution of internet companies. He analysed the impact of technology on society, making complex topics accessible through various media platforms.
Rory joined the BBC in 1981 as a researcher on Look North, later moving to London to work in the newsroom and on Newsnight. His first on-screen role was as a reporter for Wales Today, followed by Breakfast Time. He transitioned to business coverage, contributing to BBC TV and radio programmes such as The Money Programme, Newsnight, and the Today Programme. In 2000, he became the BBC Internet Correspondent, but after the dot-com crash, he returned to his role as Business and Industry Correspondent. In 2007, he was appointed Technology Correspondent, focusing on the Internet's influence on business and society. He also presented Tech Tent on BBC World Service and maintained a blog called dot.Rory.
Rory authored several books, including dot.bomb: The Rise & Fall of Dot.Com Britain, which examines the internet stock market crash of 2000. His 2012 audiobook, The Secret History of Social Networking, explores the origins of social media, while his latest work, Always On: Hope and Fear in the Social Smartphone Era, discusses the effects of hyperconnectivity on society.
In May 2022, Rory received an honorary degree from the University of York for his contributions to society and was made an Honorary Fellow of The National Museum of Computing. He was also shortlisted for the Internet Service Providers Association Internet Hero award and was voted Gadget Personality of the Year by T3 magazine in 2013.
Rory lives in West Ealing with his wife and two sons. In May 2021, he announced his diagnosis of Parkinson's disease, stating he was receiving good treatment and managing the symptoms.
Book Rory Cellan-Jones to gain unparalleled insights into technology's impact on business and society. With decades of experience at the BBC, he translates complex ideas into relatable narratives, inspiring teams to navigate the digital landscape. His engaging storytelling and expert analysis will elevate your event and spark meaningful discussions.
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frequently asked questions
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To book Rory Cellan-Jones, email rory.cellan.jones@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 Rory's availability and speaking fee. 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 about your audience.
Rory Cellan-Jones draws on four decades of BBC journalism to contextualise technology developments, using his own career arc — from the dot-com crash to the smartphone era — as a narrative thread that grounds broader societal analysis in lived reportage.
Rory Cellan-Jones speaks on the rise and fall of dot-com culture, the social and societal impact of smartphones and hyperconnectivity, and the evolution of internet business. He spent 40 years at the BBC, serving as Technology Correspondent from 2007 and presenting Tech Tent on BBC World Service, and is the author of Always On: Hope and Fear in the Social Smartphone Era.
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