Fergus Hay

Fergus Hay is a leading keynote speaker on cybersecurity, ethical hacking, and Gen Z digital behaviour. He is the Founder and CEO of The Hacking Games, a pioneering platform that uses entertainment and AI to identify and recruit unconventional talent into cybersecurity roles. Fergus is widely regarded for his ability to connect cyber risk with culture, psychology, and generational change. A regular commentator on BBC, Sky News and NBC, he breaks down complex cyber threats in a way that is clear, human, and highly engaging. As a speaker, Fergus combines deep industry knowledge with the storytelling skills of a global brand strategist, shaped by his time as Worldwide Managing Director at Ogilvy & Mather and CEO of Leagas Delaney.

Fergus began his professional journey through the Omnicom Group’s Management Trainee Programme, gaining hands-on experience across multiple marketing disciplines. This early foundation gave him a broad and strategic perspective that would underpin his future roles in global marketing and communications. His rise through the industry included key roles at BBH and Zulu Network, where he worked on high-profile campaigns for brands like Barclays, British Airways, and Britvic. Fergus’s academic background is just as global as his career, holding an Executive MBA from NYU Stern, LSE and HEC Paris - a programme that shaped his strategic thinking across business, technology and innovation.

Over the years, Fergus has led some of the world’s most influential agencies. At Ogilvy, he held the title of Worldwide Managing Director, running multi-market strategies for clients such as Coca-Cola, Unilever, Uber, and SC Johnson. He later became CEO of Leagas Delaney, where he transformed the agency’s performance - raising it from#55 to #3 in the UK growth rankings. In 2020, Fergus co-founded Elysian Fields, a consultancy that supports VC and PE-backed tech firms with branding, growth, and investment strategies. In 2023, he launched The Hacking Games, an AI-powered platform designed to address the growing cybersecurity talent gap by engaging Gen Z through gaming, media and real-world career pathways. Fergus also serves as Venture Partner at Blue Lion Global VC, Advisor to Builder.ai, and Strategic Advisor to NUOS and Soul Machines, reflecting his ongoing influence across tech and innovation.

Fergus is a compelling choice for any organisation looking to understand the digital future. He speaks on topics that help audiences rethink security - not as a technical box-tick, but as a cultural and strategic priority. His experience in leadership, marketing, and cybersecurity gives him a rare and valuable perspective. Whether you’re a business leader, policymaker, or educator, booking Fergus means bringing fresh insight into the forces shaping our digital world, and the next generation that will inherit it.