Mike Soutar

Entrepreneur, advisor and portfolio director, Mike Soutar has proven himself to be every start-up founder's best friend – and sometimes their worst nightmare.

Scottish-born and London-raised, Mike began his career in journalism in Dundee, writing horoscopes for a women's magazine before moving to the capital and working his way up the editorial ranks. After running some of the UK's biggest media brands, and following 13 years as the meticulous interrogator on BBC One's prime-time hit The Apprentice, Mike now dedicates his time to building better businesses and developing the next generation of leaders. He is a member of the Government's Board of Trade, championing the best of British business to the rest of the world.

Out of the ashes of the global financial crash, Mike co-founded Shortlist Media. The company grew from five employees to over 200 within five years, building a stable of award-winning print, digital, live event and international brands, including ShortList and Stylist. As CEO, he led the eventual sale of the business, having revolutionised magazine publishing in the UK along the way.

His ability to turn around businesses and lead through change has left its mark on some of the UK's leading media brands. As Managing Director, he was responsible for the surging fortunes of radio's Kiss FM in the early noughties, and he was a transformational editor at both Smash Hits and FHM, taking each to a market-leader position in the 1990s.

Drawing on three decades of building businesses and advising leaders, Mike is the author of Next Gen CEO, a book built around five concentric rings of leadership: self-leadership, team leadership, organisational leadership, market leadership and thought leadership. Across 60 sharp, fast-moving chapters, he shares stories, strategies and field-tested frameworks for leading with clarity, scaling without losing control, and staying relevant in a world that won't slow down.

As a keynote and conference speaker, Mike draws on this same experience to help audiences make better decisions, build high-performance teams, and adapt faster to change. With a continuing interest in media, culture and entertainment, he is also a Non-Executive Director at Scottish Rugby, a Trustee of the V&A Dundee, and an independent director and advisor to fast-growth businesses in fintech and contemporary art retail.

Mike continues to write and speak regularly on leadership, entrepreneurialism and resilience, while mentoring emerging leadership talent.

Mike Soutar brings honesty, insight and humour to his public speaking engagements, providing thought-provoking solutions for leaders in a world where the rules alter constantly. Drawing on three decades spent building, running and turning around some of the UK's best-known media brands — from launching Shortlist Media out of the 2008 financial crash to leading transformational turnarounds at Smash Hits, FHM and Kiss FM — Mike brings audiences hard-won, practical frameworks they can put to immediate use.

His speaking engagements are shaped around four core themes:
Leading with confidence in an age of relentless change
Mike explores what it takes to lead decisively when the ground keeps shifting beneath you. Drawing on his own experience steering media brands through digital disruption, economic downturns and cultural shifts, he offers audiences a clear-eyed framework for making confident decisions even when the future is impossible to predict.

Building resilience and decision-making under pressure
Having built and sold a business through the aftermath of a global financial crisis, and led turnarounds at some of the UK's best-known media brands, Mike knows exactly what separates resilient decision-makers from those who crumble under pressure. This theme unpacks the habits and mindsets that allow leaders to stay clear-headed, make sound judgement calls, and keep their teams steady when the stakes are highest.

Transformational business opportunities from nothing
In 2007, out of the wreckage of the global financial crash, Mike co-founded Shortlist Media — growing it from five employees to over 200 within five years. Here, he draws on the real story behind building something from nothing, spotting opportunity in adversity, and scaling fast without losing control of the business.

Establishing an adaptable, innovative business culture
As a transformational editor at Smash Hits and FHM, and later as Managing Director of Kiss FM, Mike built his reputation on turning struggling brands into market leaders. He speaks to the practical steps for creating a culture where innovation thrives, dissent is constructive rather than destructive, and teams don't depend on one person to function.

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Clients often ask about purchasing books for giveaways and delegate packs. Below you’ll find a selection of products by Mike Soutar. Click the images to view on Amazon's website. For bulk orders, please speak with your Booking Agent.