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Keynote SpeakerChandran Nair

Expert on Sustainability and the Future, Founder, Global Institute For Tomorrow

Chandran Nair has a diverse professional career spanning over 30 years across Europe, Africa, and Asia, including China and India. His expertise covers business, development issues, environmental and sustainability challenges, leadership development, and executive education. He is also a prominent author and thought leader. In 2004, Chandran founded the Global... Read more

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Popular Talks by Chandran Nair

  • Doing Business in a Globalised Asia
  • Sustainable Development Challenge for Asia
  • Business Leadership in Asia for the Future
  • Governance
  • Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) and Climate Risk
  • Employee Engagement
  • Business Transformation
  • Geopolitics and International Relations
  • Leadership

Biography

Chandran Nair has a diverse professional career spanning over 30 years across Europe, Africa, and Asia, including China and India. His expertise covers business, development issues, environmental and sustainability challenges, leadership development, and executive education. He is also a prominent author and thought leader.

In 2004, Chandran founded the Global Institute For Tomorrow (GIFT) to help organisations navigate global complexities and adapt to the forces reshaping the world. As Founder and CEO, he has focused on advancing a deeper understanding of critical global issues, including the shift of economic and political influence from the West to Asia, the evolving relationship between business and society, and the transformation of global capitalism. Under his leadership, GIFT has pioneered an internationally recognised approach to executive education. This has been presented in a report to the United Nations on Innovations in Leadership Development and featured in the Financial Times and Wall Street Journal.

Prior to GIFT, he was Chairman of Environmental Resources Management (ERM) in Asia-Pacific for over a decade, leading its expansion from a small office of 10 people in Hong Kong in 1991 to a regional powerhouse of 500 professionals across 12 countries by 2004. He was also instrumental in establishing one of the first environmental consulting firms in China in the mid-1990s.

Chandran has held academic roles, serving as an Adjunct Professor at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy in Singapore. He is a frequent guest lecturer at leading global business schools, including INSEAD, Duke CE, and London Business School.

Chandran sits on the Executive Committee of the Club of Rome, the world’s premier scientific think tank. He is also a member of the Global Steering Committee for the Business and Sustainability Programme at the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) and the Global Agenda Council on Governance for Sustainability and Experts Forum at the World Economic Forum (WEF).

Chandran’s various expertise leads to frequent publishing of his articles, on topics ranging from economic policy to education. His work has appeared in leading publications such as the Financial Times, TIME, The Guardian, Huffington Post, The New York Times, China Daily and The Edge. He has also been interviewed on many leading global media networks including BBC (including being interviewed on Hard Talk), CNN, Al Jazeera, NHK, Bloomberg, CNBC, CCTV, Channel News Asia and Deutsche Welle.

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What clients say about Chandran Nair

"I’ve had the privilege of interviewing many thought leaders—NASA astronauts and business titans. But when I interviewed Chandran Nair, I had to focus. He was incredibly intelligent, often delving deep into process, and always thoughtful. Upon reviewing our conversation, his passions and compelling conclusions became clear. I believe some of what he says will become apparent truths—truths that challenge the currently accepted East-West public opinion." Maxwell P., One Golden Nugget
"Nair shows that, more than ever, state capacity matters for sustainable prosperity. This is precisely the Achilles’ heel of most of the developing world." Gurcharan Das, Author of India Unbound, The Difficulty of Being Good, India Grows at Night
"White privilege is a complex and politically polarizing term that has surfaced more frequently in recent years, as Western society begins—belatedly and only partially—to reckon with the toxic legacy of white supremacy. In Dismantling Global White Privilege, Chandran Nair offers a readable and wide-ranging analysis of this term and the ways white privilege continues to shape lives around the world. A timely work by an original thinker." Dr. Shashi Tharoor, Former UN Under Secretary-General and bestselling author of Inglorious Empire: What the British Did to India

How to book Chandran Nair as a keynote speaker

How do I book Chandran Nair for a keynote speech?

You can book Chandran Nair through London Speaker Bureau by submitting the enquiry form on this page or calling our team. One of our consultants will respond promptly with Chandran's current availability, speaking fees and any specific requirements for your event.

What are Chandran Nair's speaking fees?

Chandran Nair's speaking fees depend on the event format (in-person or virtual), the location, the length of the engagement and the level of customisation required. Please contact London Speaker Bureau for an up-to-date fee quote for Chandran tailored to your event.

What topics does Chandran Nair speak about?

Chandran Nair speaks on Asia, Authors, Business & Management, Future, Future & Technology. Talks can be shaped around your audience, industry and strategic objectives - share your event brief with London Speaker Bureau and we will work with Chandran to align the content with your delegates and goals.

Is Chandran Nair available for international events?

London Speaker Bureau can book Chandran Nair for events worldwide, subject to Chandran's schedule. Please send us your event date, location and format and we will confirm availability and handle travel and logistics on your behalf.

Does Chandran Nair deliver virtual or online keynotes?

Virtual and hybrid keynotes are now a standard part of the speaking industry. Please contact London Speaker Bureau to confirm whether Chandran Nair is available to deliver a virtual session for your event and on which platform (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, a bespoke studio or your own).

How long is a typical keynote by Chandran Nair?

Most keynote speeches run between 45 and 60 minutes, often followed by a 15-30 minute Q&A. Other formats - shorter conference slots, panel appearances or longer workshop sessions - may also be possible. Share your agenda with London Speaker Bureau and we will confirm what Chandran can accommodate.

Can Chandran Nair tailor the keynote to our industry and audience?

London Speaker Bureau will brief Chandran Nair on your audience profile, sector and objectives so the keynote can be shaped around your event. The level of customisation possible depends on the speaker and the lead time - contact us with your brief and we will confirm what Chandran can offer.

What languages does Chandran Nair present in?

Chandran Nair delivers keynotes in English. This profile may not list every language available; ask London Speaker Bureau to confirm. If you require simultaneous interpretation or a multilingual format, please mention this in your enquiry and London Speaker Bureau will arrange it for you.

What makes Chandran Nair a strong fit as a keynote speaker?

Chandran Nair's areas of expertise include Asia, Authors, Business & Management, Future, Future & Technology. To get a clear sense of Chandran's style, credentials and how they engage an audience, please review the biography, popular talks and any videos or testimonials shown on this page, or request a detailed speaker brief from London Speaker Bureau.

What kind of events can Chandran Nair speak at?

Chandran Nair can be booked through London Speaker Bureau for corporate conferences, leadership events, internal team meetings, association gatherings and private client engagements where expertise in Asia, Authors, Business & Management, Future, Future & Technology is relevant. Details of Chandran's background and previous engagements are included in the biography above; contact us if you would like a more detailed list of past clients or case studies.

Does Chandran Nair offer workshops, panels or fireside chats in addition to keynotes?

Beyond keynote speeches, many of the speakers on our roster also take part in workshops, executive masterclasses, panel discussions and fireside chats. Contact London Speaker Bureau with your preferred format and we will confirm what Chandran Nair is able to offer alongside or instead of a keynote.

How far in advance should we book Chandran Nair?

We generally recommend enquiring at least three to twelve months in advance to secure your preferred date with Chandran Nair, particularly during peak conference seasons. Where possible we also accommodate shorter lead times - please contact London Speaker Bureau to check Chandran's current availability for your dates.