Built Around the Belief That
Candour Creates Progress
Speaking Out Events was established to create the conditions that structured public discourse rarely allows - small rooms, trusted faces and the freedom to say what is actually believed.
Over a Decade of Quiet Influence
Speaking Out Events was founded in 2012 by a group of senior professionals who shared a frustration with the increasingly performative nature of industry conferences and public forums. The belief was simple: if you remove the audience, the recording and the reputation risk, the conversation fundamentally changes.
Beginning with a single annual dinner in London, the organisation has grown into a curated network of more than 500 members across 12 sectors and six countries. Each year, over 60 events are held - from intimate roundtables of 12 to multi-day international forums.
Throughout this growth, the founding principles have remained unchanged: strict membership criteria, rigorous confidentiality and an uncompromising commitment to the quality of conversation.
"When a meeting, or part thereof, is held under the Chatham House Rule, participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any other participant, may be revealed."
All Speaking Out Events are conducted under this rule as a baseline. Some events operate under stricter protocols as agreed by attendees.
Our Founding Values
Confidentiality
Every participant's identity and affiliation is protected by rule. We do not publish attendance lists, guest speakers or event summaries without explicit collective consent.
Intellectual Integrity
We curate for depth of thinking, not seniority of title. Membership is assessed on the quality of perspective a candidate brings, not the prominence of their employer.
Mutual Respect
Our events are spaces where disagreement is welcome and challenge is expected - but where the dignity of every participant is non-negotiable and unconditional.
Purposeful Diversity
We actively curate events to bring together professionals whose backgrounds, sectors and geographies differ - because the most generative conversations happen across boundaries, not within them.
The People Behind the Events
Our small, experienced team is responsible for curation, logistics, member relations and programme development. We operate with the same discretion we ask of our members.
Director, Programme & Curation
Programme LeadershipOversees the design and thematic direction of Speaking Out's annual event programme, working closely with advisory members to identify the conversations that matter most.
Head of Membership & Partnerships
Member RelationsManages the membership pipeline, handles all application reviews and cultivates the institutional partner relationships that expand the reach of our network.
Senior Events & Operations Manager
Logistics & DeliveryResponsible for the flawless execution of every event - from venue selection and attendee logistics to on-the-day facilitation support and post-event member follow-up.
Guided by Exceptional Peers
Our Advisory Council is drawn from our most tenured members. They provide strategic guidance on programme direction, membership standards and sector focus - serving in a voluntary capacity.
Policy & Governance
Former senior advisors from UK, EU and international governmental bodies provide perspective on regulatory and political developments.
Industry & Commerce
Current and former C-suite executives from across our primary sectors shape the commercial relevance of our event programme.
Research & Academia
Leading academics and think-tank researchers ground our conversations in evidence and provide counterweight to practitioner perspective.
Ready to Apply?
If you believe your perspective and professional standing would contribute to our community, we encourage you to submit a membership application for review.
Request to Join