Mark Stevenson

Reluctant Futurist, ‘Chief Annoying Question Asker’, Innovation Expert, Entrepreneur and Visionary for a Regenerative Future

Author •
Futurist

The ‘Reluctant Futurist’ challenges norms and guides organizations to reshape their mindset and investments for a better future. He’s advised the UK Ministry of Defence, Médecins Sans Frontières, GSMA, and more, addressing market failure, security, democracy, employee engagement, inequality, and climate change.
As Global Ambassador for ClientEarth, co-founder of CUR8, and Chair for Climate.vc, he walks the talk, crafting legal, policy, and market solutions for an integrated economic-ecological future.
Author of bestsellers “An Optimist’s Tour of the Future” and the award-winning “We Do Things Differently.”
Co-host of the hit Podcast “Jon Richardson and the Futurenauts.

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What Mark Stevenson's clients say

Here is some of the feedback from audiences and clients who have worked with Mark.

"Mark’s presentation was uplifting, entertaining and enlightening. Working in Pharmaceuticals we have a very limited view of the world and his talk delivered important messages around change, breaking rules and the importance of innovation, presented in a manner that was both humorous, practical and entertaining."

Caitriona O'Brien,

Innovation Manager,

Abbvie

"Mark had an auditorium of 1,500 people spellbound from the outset. He captivated a discerning audience of surgeons with an informal, humorous and very personal style: his concluding points were brilliant and his final message was met with thunderous applause. I very much look forward to hearing Mark again and strongly commend him to any conference organiser in search of a stimulating and engaging speaker."

Mike Kimmons,

CEO,

British Orthopaedic Association

"A really powerful session and encouraged people to think differently without being patronising and without over-simplifying things. It gave us time to look at things from a completely different perspective and an opportunity to consider how we might influence the bigger picture, not only just of our organisation, but of the whole health agenda in general. Mark’s ability to engage with the audience throughout was excellent and his knowledge of the subject matter brilliant. His ability to relate futurist concepts back to the work that we do was very thought provoking and helped to put everything into perspective. An excellent speaker and presenter (and very funny too)"

Alison Meardon,

Head of Learning & Organisation Development,

NHS Blood & Transplant

"Our delegates sat down in the session not knowing what to expect from a futurologist and what Mark gave them was an excellent presentation that was both amusing and thought provoking. The topics he discussed were broad enough to interest the wide spectrum of businesses in the audience, yet the information was also useful enough that everyone could take something away from it. Mark was easily one of the best speakers we have booked and our delegates couldn’t stop talking about him afterwards."

British Dental Trade Association

"Mark was the highlight of the whole two day event. His session was perfect from start to finish. It was absolutely the right fit for our agenda and he did an amazing job tailoring the message to the group and really making us think. People couldn’t stop talking about how great he was."

Joseph Harrison,

Associate Director,

Deloitte

"Mark was absolutely brilliant and went down a complete treat. Informative, refreshing and had the audience hanging onto his every word!"

Lucy Hynard,

Executive Project Manager,

Cancer Research UK

"Mark did a spellbinding job. It was a tremendous speech met with a standing ovation. It is not often that you can hear a pin drop in a room that size – but the audience was enthralled. Wonderful!"

US Space Foundation

"Mark was an excellent, thought provoking and highly entertaining speaker, opening the annual international conference for our profession. He was just the right mix of informative, humorous, challenging and engaging. He was well prepared, rehearsed and professional. We had only positive feedback. Mark was also very giving of his time throughout the remainder of the conference. I can highly recommend him."

James & Wells Intellectual Property

"Mark is an entertaining and engaging speaker, and has a rare gift for making complex subjects clear and accessible without straying into glibness. We were impressed that several audience members commented that his talk spoke directly to their own desire to create change. Mark is practical yet has the capacity to inspire – you don't get both very often."

RSA

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Mark Stevenson's 2025 biography

Meet Mark Stevenson

Mark Stevenson, often labelled as a ‘Reluctant Futurist’, stands at the forefront of advising governments, NGOs, corporates and the occasional popstar on navigating the complexities of modern-day challenges such as climate change, inequality, democratic retreat, and market failures. Mark is renowned for his role as the ‘Chief Annoying Question Asker’, a title bestowed upon him by clients for his uncanny ability to challenge conventional thinking and provoke deep reflection. Shunning the sobriquet of ‘futurist’ he characterises himself more as a ‘futurenaut’ helping his clients have a confident relationship with an uncertain future.

His advisory journey has seen him contribute significantly to entities like the UK Ministry of Defence and Médecins Sans Frontières, addressing crucial issues around peace, security, and climate change. As a testament to his commitment to building a regenerative future, Mark serves as a Global Ambassador for the environmental law firm ClientEarth and chairs the Impact Board of Climate.vc.

Beyond his advisory roles, Mark is a co-founder of the Carbon Removals company CUR8, highlighting his direct involvement in crafting practical solutions to climate challenges. His literary contributions, including the bestselling books “An Optimist’s Tour of the Future” and the award-winning “We Do Things Differently”, offer insightful and proven solutions to pressing global issues, reflecting his pragmatic approach to the future.

Mark’s unique blend of humour and strategic thinking extends into his side career as a comedy writer and songwriter, underpinning his belief that emotional engagement is crucial for effective systems change. His philosophy is encapsulated in his words: “The brain does the PR for what the heart has already decided; if you can’t speak to the heart, any systems change is dead in the water.”

His work extends into the digital realm through his successful podcast with comedian Jon Richardson and systems change advocate Ed Gillespie, offering a mix of humour and serious discussion on systemic changes needed for a sustainable future.

As a speaker, Mark’s eloquence and insight have captivated audiences worldwide, from educational institutions to rock festivals, illustrating his dynamic approach to public engagement and education.

Mark Stevenson’s diverse career reflects a committed, innovative, and heartfelt approach to solving some of our most intricate and intertwined challenges, making him a catalyst for a more regenerative, equitable and just future.