Sir Mark Lyall Grant

Sir Mark Lyall Grant GCMG has had a distinguished career as a British diplomat, serving as the National Security Adviser to Prime Ministers David Cameron and Theresa May. He is celebrated for his unwavering commitment to public service and is recognized as one of the UK’s most senior public servants, boasting over three decades of experience in public presentation, leadership, negotiation, and policy-making. Throughout his career, he has personally engaged with influential world leaders, including Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin, and Donald Trump. Presently, as a Visiting Professor at King’s College, London, and a regular contributor to both UK and international media, Mark is sought after as a keynote speaker for corporate and public events. His speaking topics encompass global security, the ascent of China, the role of secret intelligence in international affairs, the future of cyber and terrorist threats, and the US/UK transatlantic relationship, among others.

Mark embarked on his political journey in 1980, commencing his work in the South African Department of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office before taking up the position of Second Secretary in Islamabad in 1982. His significant roles included serving as the Private Secretary to Lynda Chalker MP, Minister of State. Proving his dedication as a public servant, Mark later became the Head of the European Union Department of the FCO and Deputy Head of Mission in South Africa. He subsequently held positions as Director for Africa in the FCO, High Commissioner to Pakistan, and Director General in the FCO before his appointment as British Ambassador to the United Nations. During his over five-year tenure in New York, he presided over the UN Security Council on four separate occasions. With almost four decades of political experience under his belt, Mark was knighted in 2006 and later appointed King of Arms of the Order of St Michael and St George in 2022.

Having made a significant impact as a diplomat, Mark’s expertise is now highly sought after as an academic and consultant. Since 2017, he has been lecturing on geopolitics, national and international security issues as a Visiting Professor at King’s College. In addition to his academic and governmental accomplishments, Mark is also a qualified Barrister and was appointed as a judge to the Bench of Middle Temple in 2011. Beyond these commitments, he serves as a dedicated Trustee of Humanitaid and is a Fellow of Eton College, with roles such as Chair of Senior Salaries and a member of Partnership & Audit. He also serves as a Senior Adviser to Ayr Logistics, Chatham House, CTD Advisors, and Schillings. When not advising, Mark takes on the role of a Non-Executive Director (NED) of ECO Buildings and L3COS. With such a diverse and impressive array of roles, Mark is now in high demand as a keynote speaker, sharing his extensive expertise on national and international security, geopolitics, and policy-making.

As a keynote speaker, Mark is a trusted industry authority on politics and international affairs. Leveraging knowledge garnered from a 35-year diplomatic career spanning four continents, he offers unique insights gained from interactions with international world leaders such as President Xi of China, President Trump, and President Putin. His sought-after speaking engagements include appearances on national and international news broadcasts, where he is recognized as one of the UK’s foremost experts on international security and global affairs. Mark has delivered talks at numerous international conferences and corporate events, including the Oxford and Cambridge Unions, the Royal United Services Institute, the UN Association, the British American Business Board, and many more. Mark is a respected authority, trusted by industry leaders worldwide, making him the ideal choice for discussions on topics like threats to multilateralism, the power of the English language, the future of Ukraine, Middle East security in a turbulent world, and executing UK foreign policy. Don’t hesitate to engage Sir Mark Lyall Grant GCMG for your speaking engagements today.