Philosopher-activist and Chairman of the Asian Foresight Institute — described by Forbes Asia as one of the smartest people on the planet.
Dr Richard Hames is a philosopher-activist, author, and the founder of the Centre for the Future and Chairman of the Asian Foresight Institute. Forbes Asia has described him as one of the smartest people on the planet. He has advised Heads of State and global CEOs, and his work engages with questions of civilisational change — the deep structural shifts in how societies, economies, and institutions organise themselves. His thinking operates at a scale and on a timescale that most strategists do not attempt.
What distinguishes Hames is the philosophical depth he brings to strategic foresight. Where most futurists work from trend data and scenario planning, he works from first principles — asking not just what is changing but why, and what it means for the fundamental assumptions on which organisations and societies have been built. That makes him a genuinely challenging and provocative presence in any room.
He suits senior leadership forums, government strategy sessions, and events where the audience is ready for a conversation that goes beyond trend lists and into the harder questions about the future of institutions, leadership, and human systems. Audiences leave with more questions than they arrived with — which, for the right audience, is exactly the point.
Dr Richard Hames is a keynote speaker based overseas who speaks on business strategy, change management and innovation. Book through Executive Speakers Australia.
Uncertainty is a permanent feature of running a business today. But there's a way of using it to your advantage. Being "future-ready" entails the daily practice of using new strategic tools and substituting Strategic Navigation in place of standard planning. Then, using real-time intelligence, aided by AI to guide decisions in a navigational context, you become pretty much
"future-proof".
Managing Uncertainty gives you the tools, tricks and habits you need to avoid being taken by surprise by external events. Strategic Navigation is the risk free way of remaining ahead of the curve and understanding what's around the corner and an exercise in engaging the entire workforce.
Key Takeaways: Participants in this keynote/workshop are given a comprehensive overview of the Strategic Navigation methodology, along with the key tools for implementing "futurereadiness" out of the box!
AI models are evolving far beyond what they were programmed to do, teaching themselves new capabilities, solving problems in unexplainable ways, creating their own internal languages, and solving problems in ways we do not understand.
Dangerous 2025 examines the risks and opportunities, considering the staggering pace of AI, achieving in months what took humans 300,000 years of evolution to do. These systems may surpass human reasoning in most domains in 2025, marking the emergence of a new form of intelligence capable of reshaping reality itself.
Key Takeaways: We analyse whether humanity is prepared for this transformative future and what needs to happen - in terms of coding, risk legislation, and security applications - to ensure that the future is one in which humans control technology rather than the other way around.
Beyond a 5-year horizon, with China and the BRICS nations playing an increasingly important and larger role, traditional banking models will, of necessity, morph into a multipolar financial system. Richard predicts a reduced reliance on Western financial institutions and models; greater use of local currencies, digital currencies, and alternative payment systems; and a focus on financial inclusion, regional collaboration, and technological innovation tailored to the needs of emerging markets.
Going Global maps out a new paradigm for banking in the Asia Pacific region. In this scenario, BRICS nations will become architects of a parallel financial ecosystem that will redefine global banking. The balance of power in the financial world will hinge on how effectively these nations collaborate and execute their shared vision. For Australia, pressure from the US, regulatory divergence, and dependence on China pose the greatest risks, but diversifying trade and aligning with regional players like Indonesia offer opportunities.
Key Takeaways: As the global financial system becomes more multipolar, Australia’s ability to adapt and innovate will ensure its relevance. In this keynote, Richard identifies what must happen for Australia to position itself as a bridge between Western and BRICS systems in order to safeguard its economic interests, strengthen its role in the Asia-Pacific, and contribute to shaping a more inclusive and interconnected global financial ecosystem. This dual alignment will not only protect Australia from geopolitical risks but also position it as a key player in the evolving financial order.
It's evident that Australians are increasingly fed up with the games being played by the two main political parties and want to weaken entrenched political and corporate power. The next election gives Australia a chance to break the Liberal-Labour duopoly while using new technologies to introduce more direct forms of democracy leading to civic renewal. The greater prospect, though, is to see a future where Australia stands as a truly global prototype in the community of nations.
Australia – First Global Nation reflects a vision of Australia as a diverse, economically integrated, and diplomatically active nation that serves as a bridge between cultures and regions. This scenario highlights Australia's potential to lead on global issues, embrace diversity, and act as a model for how nations can thrive in an interconnected world.
Key Takeaways: In this keynote Richard identifies the conditions needed to elevate Australia's economic complexity and competitive ranking globally; strategies for bridging the Sinic-Occidental divide; how grassroots engagement can strengthen civil society; ways to liberate entrepreneurial energy and focus using the innate resources and talents of a successful multicultural community.
We are living longer, healthier lives. The future of healthcare is shifting rapidly toward a personalized, preventative, technology-driven model that empowers individuals to take control of their wellbeing. Advances in agent-based diagnostics, cellular-level treatments, and telemedicine, for example, are already driving innovation, with an increased focus on mental health, holistic care, nutrition and exercise, changing the role of clinicians and hospitals. Ultimately, the integration of wellness into daily life will transform healthcare from the treatment of disease, to prevention, via enhanced individualised care - reducing our dependence on drugs and invasive procedures, thus turning the current system on its head.
The Future of Healthcare & Wellness is an overview of the latest developments in the field, as seen through the eyes Dr Richard Hames, a futurist who started his career in medicine and is currently Director of Strategy for MHealth UK (with deep expertise in international healthcare development and management) and Chairman of Ora Life (an Asian wellness startup featuring whole genome sequencing).
Key Takeaways: Richard points participants to key developments in technology (such as predictive analytics, alternative therapies, health apps, implantable devices, and digital twins) where these are being deployed; and professional contact details for people who are leading the field globally.
Treated as a compliance cost, any ESG agenda will be a drag on the business. But re-envisaged as a virtuous investment, ESG strategies reap dividends, opening up new markets and generating value far in excess of old cash cows that run out of steam.
Beyond ESG puts you on the front foot and beyond competition. Rather than cutting costs to scrape through compliance regulations by the skin of your teeth, Beyond ESG: From the impossible to the inevitable, shows you how to extract full value for all stakeholders.
Key Takeaways: A new mindset toward compliance; 5 steps to unlocking value across your business ecosystem; turning "impact" into a high value-low risk investment.
Richard's third book, "The Five Literacies of Global Leadership", blew orthodox leadership models out of the water. Simple to understand, easy to implement, radical in impact, the "5L model" is used today by some of the world's most successful startups and social enterprises.
Unleash Your Unique Potential uses a leadership code driven by dialogue. Based on consistent ways of seeing, interacting, and making decisions, it contains the trade secrets of the alchemists, artists and entrepreneurs among us. Leaders who use the 5L code charge others with energy in a constant upgrading of discovery and innovation.
Key Takeaways: A new philosophy of leading; an explanation of the 5L code; a primer in how to use the Five Literacies to engage and motivate any workforce.
Richard's breadth of knowledge and ability to connect ideas across disciplines is extraordinary.Alex
A truly remarkable thinker who challenged and inspired our leadership team.Craig
Richard brought clarity to complexity in a way I have rarely seen.Susan
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