Strategic foresight for a changing world.

Rapid change can be overwhelming, but it also creates opportunities.

I will help you anticipate disruptions, adapt with confidence and find opportunities in complex, high-stake environments.

With deep expertise and practical experience in global organisations and humanitarian crises, my approach goes beyond theory to help you uncover new insights and useful solutions that work in the real world. From visions to decisions.

Research. Strategy. Transformation. Workshops. Mentoring. Innovation. Speaker.

My approach

My name is Ben Holt. I am an award-winning futurist and strategic foresight expert focused on practical action and real-world impact.

I start with the belief that humans are creative, that there are plenty of problems to solve, and that it is possible to build organisations that do it well, again and again.

I have written a book on strategic foresight, been a visiting scholar at Cambridge University, and worked on some of the world's most complex humanitarian crises, from Ukraine to South Sudan, Myanmar to Zambia.

I now work with international NGOs, universities and businesses to explore possible futures and bring back new and useful ideas. I then help leaders adapt to the challenges, and realise the benefits, of this changing world.

From rapid-response foresight in urgent crises, to long-term strategic planning and investigation of global risks, I use imagination, rigorous research and creative problem solving to surface unexpected and powerful options for action.

Strategic foresight: An approach that enhances
decision making by systematically examining emerging
trends and drivers of change to consider a range of
possible futures. Strategic foresight helps organisations
navigate uncertainty by emphasising adaptability and
action.
AKA: Exploring possible futures to make better decisions today

Strategy Change Mentoring & planning
Strategic foresight Research & Workshops

Innovation Impact & action Creativity

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"I cannot teach you how to predict the future, but I can show you how to shape the possibilities."

Examples of my work

Research and analysis: Ukraine conflict
During the early days of the war, I lead a rapid research project to develop future scenarios designed to support decision making in frontline humanitarian organisations. This changed the way foresight is used in live IFRC operations. I then played a key role in the design and delivery of this strategic pivot.

Strategy and change: Humanitarian Cash Hub
The Cash Hub is a critical player in the multi-billion pound cash assistance space. I regularly work with the team to shape their vision and sharpen their decision making in a rapidly changing world.
I also lead the delivery of a multi million pound cash assistance project during the Covid Pandemic, building a coalition of local organisations, international experts and financial companies.

Innovation and community: African Food security and livelihoods
I designed a custom foresight approach for teams in Zambia, Malawi and Kenya as they sought future-ready innovation concepts for food security and livelihoods programmes. Community engagement was a critical element.
This project was recognised as among the world's most significant futures work of the year - across all sectors - by the Association of Professional Futurists.

Creativity and speculative design : Future products and game design

Creativity is essential for problem solving and sparking new ideas.

I designed a range of speculative products to trigger conversations about possible futures. Created with my design partner, Yann Le Floc'h, this lead to a global search for new talent and a showcase exhibition in Geneva.

I designed a new creative tool for strategic foresight workshops - the Icon Cards - which have been used internationally.

I was commissioned to create workshop for academics and business experts at the Bayes Business School. We explored the intersection of AI and the environment using video and physical artefacts to immerse participants in a future scenario.

The Strategic Foresight Book :

I wrote The Strategic Foresight Book (now available as a free download) to share the collective wisdom drawn from my experiences working with people around the world to make possible futures new and useful.

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Clients &

Collaborations

I work with leaders, teams, organisations and institutions to delivery high-quality strategic foresight, innovation and change.

Collaborators include the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC), Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), The University of Cambridge, Bayes Business School, UN Agencies, the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) and creative agencies.