NIK GOWING

Nik is one of the world's leading and most respected conference facilitators and moderators.

He has received many plaudits for his hosting at face-to-face, virtual and hybrid events. He combines his broadcasting and expert moderating skills to create dynamic, energetic and interactive experiences.

"Nik was a lead moderator at our biennial Network Conference for 240 global Chairs and CEOs in our Wallenberg group of companies. His excellent moderation contributed to ensuring the closed event was a huge success. Our post-event survey concluded it was the ‘most appreciated conference since 2005’. Nik received largely the top rating of ‘Very Good’ from participants. We appreciated especially his pre-conference commitment plus his contribution of ideas, insights and preparation for key issues and interviews. We look forward very much to working with him again."

- Investor AB

Nik is also Founder and Co-Director of Thinking the Unthinkable. The independent project helps leaders embrace threats and opportunities in the new era of radical uncertainty and disruption.

Nik inspires leaders to adapt, survive, then thrive in the current disruption. He achieves this globally through presentations and workshops. The COVID-19 pandemic has confirmed all the project’s alerts to leaders since 2014. The deepening climate emergency makes them even more relevant.

You will also know Nik as a main presenter for the BBC’s international 24-hour news channel BBC World News 1996-2014. He presented 'The Hub with Nik Gowing', BBC World Debates, Dateline London, plus location coverage of major global stories.

Here are more testimonials for his hosting:

"Nik was instrumental in helping us achieve a highly successful conference, not only by his mastery in engaging the delegates but also his input into the preparation. He helped us configure the conference hall to promote interaction and to think through the flow of each session. He challenged us to define objectives more clearly.

"Once at the event, Nik perfectly illustrated the impact that a skilled conference chair can have, turning all the delegates into participants not just spectators. Many veteran delegates commented that they had never been to a conference with such open and lively discussion of key topics facing the industry."

- Ian Riley, CEO, World Cement Association

"Nik Gowing and the Thinking the Unthinkable team have been instrumental to my team and business/events/projects’ success. Through the vast experience that Nik and his team bring - coaching and mentoring from my experience - Thinking the Unthinkable is not just a name. It is an approach, a priceless one, to any organisation and leadership/executive teams’ success.

"Nik’s role as chair ensures our events are high on impact. He drives tangible action in his approach, and not just in conversations or discussions. The preparation Nik encourages for each project behind the scenes is invaluable. Nik has guided our thinking to ensure we pursue the right approach to fulfilling our organisation’s mission successfully: that is raising climate action to achieve a sustainable, equitable, just and low carbon economy."

- Iolanda dos Santos, Chief Events Officer for Climate action

"The vision that you brought to the table was quite different from what we had previously

discussed internally – and it made such a difference for everything that came after.

"The setup not only made the event itself livelier and more enjoyable for participants, it also helped me immensely in my approach towards potential speakers. Because suddenly, seats in the audience were almost as attractive as actual panel seats.

"I honestly don’t think we would have been able to secure as many high-level speakers with a more traditional setup."

- David Preuss, International Policy Adviser for the mayor of Stockholm

"Thank you for your fantastic job. It was a true pleasure for me to work with you and I was enormously impressed by your attention to detail and dedication to ensuring that the event would be a success. I look forward to the opportunity of working with you again."

- Lorenzo Bernasconi, Head of Climate and Environmental Solutions, Lombard Odier

"I have worked with Nik for a couple of years now, and knew instantly that I wanted him more involved in our Summit. He has a sharpness and edge which helps create that electric conversation whilst delivering a super professional presentation. A true professional, he provides input in every detail to ensure the success of the event."

- Peter Sandberg, Chief Executive, Swedish Chamber of Commerce

"Working with Nik was stimulating, as he asked pertinent questions during the preparation phase that allowed us to improve the format of the event and the quality of the content. His warmth, together with his ability to firmly offer an external observer’s point of view, makes working with him very enriching.

"The result of the collaboration was a very engaging event with an approachable tone that made it easier for all the contributors to convey the content. It obtained a high level of satisfaction from the attending and remote participants."

- Enel, Grid Futurability ® for a Net-Zero World

"A big thank you for once again so brilliantly moderating the Opening Session of the Aurora Forum. You were as ever marvellous in the role and warmed the room up and set the tone for how everyone felt they could speak and join in."

- Stephanie Ashton, Founder & Executive Director, Aurora Forum

"I cannot tell you how grateful I am. Thank you so much. It was a super brainstorming. Thank you for pushing us to ensure it was a success. The feedback was very good. Your opening session was fabulous and a success. Really, really professional. It exceeded expectations."

- Summit of Minds, 2020 for top business executives

“Nik has an infectious energy and delegates responded with active participation, true dialogue and engagement, and shared learning. Nik has an uncanny ability to actively listen while processing the content in real time – a skill from his BBC days.”

“Unlike more classical facilitation, Nik had a busy chat line under way, was engaged with the audience, was managing the content, pace and flow, and he ensured that everyone was heard. His facilitation skills are unparalleled. Nik hit the ball out of the park for us!”

“It is the second time within a year that we have called upon Nik Gowing to facilitate a conversation with CEOs of Ontario’s hospital sector. On both occasions, one in person and the second virtual, Nik commanded the room and led vibrant engaged conversations.”

- Nik facilitated events for the Ontario Hospital Association in 2020