Mike Anderson joined the graduate training programme at The Scotsman newspaper in Edinburgh without a degree. Instinct, street smarts and pace carried him to the boards of two Fleet Street institutions: News UK and Associated Newspapers. He helped launch Metro, London’s free daily newspaper, and later founded Chelsea Apps Factory, a mobile and digital transformation consultancy working with major brands including Waitrose, KPMG, Vodafone, TfL, Ladbrokes and William Hill.
He has lived through three major business shifts: print to digital, desktop to mobile, and now digital to AI. His work today is about helping leaders navigate innovation and disruption without losing the human ingredients that make leadership worth doing: judgement, courage, originality, connection and enjoyment.
Mike’s coaching and speaking are deliberately not template-led. He believes templates are for managers, while leaders need to be distinctive. His work is aimed at current and future leaders who may feel lonely, frustrated or over-processed by modern organisations and who want to rediscover the energy, clarity and fun that made them want to lead in the first place.
Books
Serious Fun in Business: A Human Algorithm
Mike Anderson's official speaking topics are listed below:
- The Human Algorithm: Leading in the Age of AI
- Serious Fun in Business: Why Energy and Connection Are Competitive Advantages
- Riding the Wave: Three Industry Transitions and What They Taught Me About Leadership
- Lonely at the Top: The Hidden Pressure on Modern Leaders
- Instinct Meets Data: How to Trust Your Judgement When Everyone Has an Opinion
- Portfolio Careers: Building a Life That Work
Official Feedback From In-Person & Virtual Events
"A true business visionary!" - Alex, Business Development Specialist
"Mike was one of the best coaches I've worked with. He brought ideas and concepts from his own expansive experience, and examples from so many other senior business leaders he works with, to life in a way that made me think differently about my own path and how to reach my goals. The sessions were candid, fun, practical and tailored to the realities of leading a large international team in a complex business. I came away from each meeting with new ideas, clear actions, greater focus and more confidence in how I lead my team and support our business internationally. I'd happily recommend Mike as an executive coach to any senior leader navigating big transitions or thinking about what might be the next step in their career." — Jeff Sharpe, Amazon
"His calm, considered and creative nature enables transparency to flow and I always walk away from each session with a plan, a resurgence in confidence and complete clarity. He can turn any complex and challenging situation into a simple next step that always increases control. He also has so many brilliant analogies that makes it both fun and insightful. I recommend Mike to anyone in need of some best in class mentoring." - James, Chief Revenue Officer, The Evening Standard
"Mike is fab! Intelligent and insanely experienced, yet humble. He is a good listener, creative problem solver and has an amazing network that he will leverage to help his clients." - Ben, Founder of TPC & Former COO of Google
"Mike turned up at our office with a smile, can do attitude and it was not long before he became one of the team. Many many cups of tea later and several walks around a local golf course, discussing options, strategy and filling in the “dots” we became good fiends, after all if a mentor did not become your friend then surely they have failed?" - David, Serian Entrepreneur, Founder of HI, A Fintech Start-Up
"I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Mike for more than a decade, and teaming up with him has been a fantastic experience! He helped us fine-tune our business strategy and provided great insight for our pitches. His extensive network of business experts and investors has opened up exciting opportunities for us. Don't be fooled by his casual approach to engagement, he's a tried and test executive and entrepreneur at the highest levels. It's a joy to have him with us on this journey." - Glenn, Founder of Tribes
"Mike was very instrumental when we were looking to set up our new business. He coached and mentored myself and my business partner; he was able to identify our strengths but more importantly our weaknesses and how we might overcome these and work better in togetherness. He has been a constant support, and I know that he can deliver good sound practical advice and insights. Our business continues to thrive, and we are still going strong 14 years on." - Elizabeth
- 2026 – Associate Founder, Yeti.ai
- 2025 – Leadership Coach, DOTT
- 2024 – Seed Investor, KLIQ
- 2022 – Private Investor, Tribes Studio
- 2020 – Advisory & Connector, The News Movement
- 2020 – Senior Advisor to CEO/Business Development, Imagine AR Inc
- 2019 – Senior Advisor, FTI Consulting
- 2019 – Peer Advisor, Wavelength
- 2018 – CEO, DOTTT
- 2018 – Coach, Mentor Mike
- 2010 – Founder, Chelsea Apps
- 2005 – MD, News Group Newspapers, News International
- 1999 – MD, Metro & London Evening Standard, Associated Newspapers
How to hire Mike Anderson
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Mike Anderson for your next event, today. To get in touch, simply call an official booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
** We do NOT accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, birthday messages or any other non-commercial contact with the speakers or acts. Each speaker on the website may not have necessarily worked with Champions in the past but are known to perform such engagements within the industry.
