Available to book
Simon Anholt
Geopolitics
Diplomacy
Government
Transform national reputation with Simon Anholt, speaker on nation branding and public diplomacy. Simon works with governments to improve international standing through ethical engagement, delivering data-driven insights recognised by the UN and Nobel Colloquia Prize.
Educator
Innovator
Academic
Business Consulting
Thought Leader
Business Leader
Humanitarian
Author
TEDx
Public Relations
Political Analyst
Simon Anholt is a leading voice in the field of nation branding and global image management. Over the course of a career spanning more than two decades, Simon has worked with the governments of over sixty countries, cities, and regions, helping them improve their international standing through ethical and strategic engagement. His expertise in public diplomacy and soft power has earned him a reputation for challenging assumptions and fostering innovative thinking at the highest levels of statecraft.
Simon first coined the term “nation brand” in the late 1990s, sparking a new way of thinking about how countries present themselves to the world. This work later developed into the Anholt Nation Brands Index, a rigorous research framework that has gathered over a billion data points and is used by policymakers, scholars, and international organisations. He is also the creator of the Good Country Index, which ranks nations based on their actual contributions to global well-being rather than perception alone.
His policy advice is rooted in data, yet guided by a strong ethical framework. Simon has served as Vice-Chair of the UK Foreign Office’s Public Diplomacy Board and has published six books exploring the intersection of national identity, image, and international relations. His work has been recognised with numerous accolades, including the Nobels Colloquia Prize for his contributions to economic development and international relations.
Simon’s TED talk on global responsibility remains the most viewed in the governance category, and his writing and research continue to influence thinking at the highest levels, from the United Nations to national governments. He brings not only insight, but a proven ability to shift perspectives and spark meaningful dialogue.
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frequently asked questions
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Email simon.anholt@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 Simon'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.
Simon Anholt structures his sessions around data frameworks he has built, drawing on findings from the Anholt Nation Brands Index — a research instrument that has accumulated over a billion data points — to examine how countries are perceived internationally and why those perceptions diverge from reality.
Simon Anholt speaks on nation branding, public diplomacy, soft power, the Good Country Index, and how countries can improve their international standing through ethical and strategic engagement. He coined the term "nation brand" in the late 1990s and created both the Anholt Nation Brands Index, which has gathered over a billion data points, and the Good Country Index, which ranks nations by their contributions to global well-being.
No. PepTalk adds no booking fee, so you pay the speaker's fee and nothing beyond it. The service, from shortlist through to contracts and event-day logistics, is included. For repeat or multi-event bookings, PepTalk can agree preferential rates with your procurement team.
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Three to six months ahead is comfortable for most events, and 12 months is better for large conferences, peak-season dates or one specific in-demand speaker. Shorter timelines are workable, and PepTalk regularly fills last-minute and replacement bookings within days. Availability is the constraint, so get in touch as soon as you have a date.
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