Sir Craig Oliver

Sir Craig Oliver is a leading journalist, whose media career led him to be a prominent member of former Prime Minister David Cameron’s Government advisors. Having worked inside 10 Downing Street and for many of the country’s biggest broadcasting corporations, such as the BBC and ITV, Sir Craig is now a popular choice as a speaker for a range of corporate events. As a speaker, Sir Craig is sought to speak on his career at the forefront of British politics and media, along with topics of communication strategies, digital transformation, Government and public affairs.

A well-known figure of politics and media, Sir Craig is best known as the former Director of Politics and Communications at 10 Downing Street, under the then Prime Minister David Cameron. In this role, Sir Craig was responsible for the communications of the UK Government during the EU Referendum and the 2015 General Elections, with his daily role consisting of revolutionising parliament's communications to be fitting in the new digital era. Sir Craig has also authored the book Unleashing Demons: The Inside Story of Brexit and been portrayed by Rory Kinnear in Brexit: The Uncivil War.

After studying Broadcast Journalism at the Cardiff School of Journalism, Sir Craig first began his career as a journalist. With one of his first reporting assignments being about a fire in a block of flats, Sir Craig began his career with STV. Working his way through the industry, it was not long before Sir Craig was landing high calibre roles for top broadcasters. Since his first reporting role, Sir Craig has been the Senior Programme Editor of ITV Evening News, the Editor of the Six O’clock News and Ten O’clock News and Programme Editor of Five News. He has also acted as the Controller of English News Output for BBC Global News, establishing his capability to manage a multi-platform commission of the country’s most important news.

Sir Craig was elected to become the Director of Politics and Communication in 2011, via a recommendation by the previous Director, Andy Coulson. Sir Craig is widely recognised for the strategies and messages he shaped for the UK Government, and for ensuring that there was a radical overhaul of communications to comply with the ever-changing digital landscape. He has also been the Director of BBC World News Limited, was Knighted in the Resignation Honours and is currently the Principal at Teneo.

With a successful media and political career behind him, Sir Craig is now frequently chosen as a keynote speaker for events. Having worked through a tumultuous time at the wake of the EU Referendums, Sir Craig is booked to speak on Government and public affairs as well as purpose, positioning and narrative in a volatile world. Champions Speakers have also been fortunate to exclusively interview Sir Craig, crediting his capability to speak on digital communication strategies, politics, Brexit and maintaining audience interest.