Mike Soutar

With his company, Shortlist Media Ltd, Mike Soutar shot to fame in 2011 on BBC's The Apprentice. Since then, he has taken the speaking circuit by storm, sharing his expert business strategies with enthralled audiences. Mike is a greatly successful business leader, having founded and pioneered several influential businesses, including The Evening Standard as CEO since 2019. When booked for events, he invites corporate audiences to learn the secrets of productivity and profitability.

Arguably, Mike's greatest achievement so far was Shortlist Media, which he co-founded and chaired for over ten years. Credited for the company's explosion in growth, he ensured revenue of £25 million a year, an incredible achievement. The award winning company, the magazine publishing business was even named "the most influential magazine launch in the last five years” by Enders Analysis. In 2013, oversaw by Mike's analytical eye, the magazine expanded internationally, prospering in the Middle East. As an after dinner speaker, Mike takes his audience on a journey through his career, showing them the strategies essential for business success.

Mike has always thrived in the print and broadcasting industry, starting in 1988 with Emap. In 2000, he became a Board Member, Editorial Director and Managing Director of IPC Media, a lifestyle and entertainment magazine. He developed four weekly launches, which positioned the publication as a market leader. With a foundation of expert knowledge, Mike co-founded Crash Test Media, a print and digital consultancy business. His speeches follow a similar theme, helping corporate audiences to revolutionise their own day to day digital practices.

For three years, from 2016 to 2019, Mike was a board member of the Independent Press Standards Organisation. The group sets the standard for the UK Magazine industry, ensuring that publications are ethically and morally accountable. From freedom of expression to journalistic standards, Mike played a pinnacle role in the industry. As a speaker, he can instill in his audience the regulations necessary to abide by UK rules, essential for industry events in publishing, media or journalism.

Mike is a truly captivating speaker. An expert of his field, he leaves a lasting impression on audiences who greatly benefit from his knowledge. Few can rival Mike's respectable position in the publishing industry, as he doesn't just abide by regulations but actively sets them, making him a pioneer of media standards. Whether offering the perspective of a business owner or a publisher, he is the perfect speaker for after dinner, industry or corporate events.