Felix Riley – A catalyst for change
Felix Riley is widely booked as a keynote speaker by organisations that want their leaders to think bigger, decide better, and act with confidence. He works at the intersection of leadership, judgement, and change, helping high-performance teams escape familiar patterns and unlock new possibilities. Felix’s work is grounded in the belief that many capable leaders are constrained not by a lack of intelligence, but by limited thinking. His role is to challenge those limits and open up fresh ways of seeing problems, opportunities, and decisions.
From mental philosophy to media & comedy
Felix studied Mental Philosophy at the University of Edinburgh, where he developed a deep interest in how people think, decide, and justify their choices. He then spent a decade writing for BBC radio and television, contributing to programmes including The Zoë Ball Radio 1 Breakfast Show, The News Quiz, Week Ending, The Rory Bremner Show, and The Big Breakfast. He also created and produced Cross Talk for Radio 4, presented by Colin Dexter, and performed stand-up comedy at The Comedy Store. This background explains the distinctive tone of Felix’s keynotes: intelligent, fast-paced, and genuinely funny, with observations that land because they are true.
Finance, leadership, & decision-making under pressure
In 2003 Felix moved into finance at Cantor Fitzgerald, before founding ChoiceOdds. He later sold the business to MF Global (NYSE), remaining as Managing Director and serving on the Global Executive Board. These years sharpened his understanding of risk, performance, and leadership accountability. In 2011 Felix became Head Negotiator for Kitwe Mines in Zambia, leading politically sensitive copper negotiations that included meetings with President Rupiah Banda and complex discussions with tribal chiefs. He later turned around a struggling UK IT company, further deepening his expertise in culture change, execution, and decision-making when the stakes are high.
Author, storyteller, & business commentator
Felix is also the author of the financial thrillers The Set Up (2011) and The Inside Job (2012), published by Penguin and inspired by the 2008 financial crash. The screen rights were later acquired by La Plante Productions and Fine Line Cinema. His ability to tell compelling stories runs through all his work on stage. Felix has appeared as a commentator on Bloomberg, MSNBC, and BBC Radio 5 Live, sharing insights on markets, leadership, and business behaviour.
Keynotes & workshops organisations book Felix Riley for
Today Felix Riley works with leadership teams and high-performance organisations across law, consultancy, private banking, healthcare, the military, housing, charities, and start-ups. His keynotes and workshops tackle limited thinking and help leaders stop playing small. Audiences leave with clearer judgement, stronger confidence, and tools they can apply immediately.
Flagship talks include The Flea Jar, Lawyers vs The Machine, Failing Upwards, and Once Upon A Business. These sessions challenge assumptions about expertise, technology, failure, and success, while showing how to turn insight into decisive action.
- Practical frameworks that leaders can use the same day
- Sharp, intelligent humour that keeps audiences engaged
- Real-world insight drawn from media, finance, negotiations, and turnarounds
- A focus on judgement, culture, and action rather than theory
Felix Riley as MC, Event Host & Panel Moderator
In addition to keynotes and workshops, Felix Riley is also available as a professional MC, event host, and panel moderator. Known for his fast thinking, sharp humour, and calm authority on stage, he keeps events running smoothly while bringing energy, clarity, and momentum to the room.
From leadership offsites and industry conferences to awards ceremonies, product launches, and panel discussions, Felix helps audiences stay engaged and ensures the event feels polished, purposeful, and well-paced. He works closely with your team in advance to shape the running order and align on key messages, then delivers confidently on the day with the adaptability to handle anything live.
With roots in media and comedy, and years in high-stakes business environments, Felix combines credibility and warmth with the presence to make an event land.
Book Felix Riley for your event
When organisations book Felix Riley for their event, they are looking for more than inspiration. They want a speaker who can provoke better thinking, shift perspective, and create momentum for change. Felix delivers sessions that are energising, thoughtful, and grounded in real experience. Whether working with senior leaders or specialist teams, Felix helps people see beyond their current limits and step into more ambitious, decisive leadership.
