Ernesto Zedillo
Former President of Mexico (1994–2000) | Frederick Iseman '74 Director, Yale Center for the Study of Globalization | Economist | Member of The Elders & the G30
Jim O’Neill
Creator of the BRIC Acronym | Former Chief Economist, Goldman Sachs | Former UK Treasury Minister
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Few economists have shaped global investment thinking like Lord Jim O'Neill, who coined the term BRIC while chief economist at Goldman Sachs. A former UK Treasury minister, past Chair of Chatham House, and leader of the landmark global review on antimicrobial resistance, he helps business leaders and investors understand where growth is heading and how shifting economic power will affect their decisions.
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Jim O’Neill biography
Economics speaker Lord Jim O’Neill is one of the world’s best-known economists, famous for coining the term “BRIC” to describe the rise of Brazil, Russia, India, and China. A cross-bench member of the House of Lords since 2016, he spent nearly two decades at Goldman Sachs, where he served as chief economist and later as chairman of the firm’s asset management division, overseeing more than $800 billion in client assets.
O’Neill has combined his market experience with public service. As Commercial Secretary to HM Treasury from 2015 to 2016, he helped shape the UK’s Northern Powerhouse agenda, building on his earlier work chairing the City Growth Commission, whose recommendations informed the government’s approach to devolution. He also chaired the independent Review on Antimicrobial Resistance commissioned by Prime Minister David Cameron, which set out a global plan to tackle drug-resistant infections and remains a reference point for policymakers worldwide. From 2018 to 2021 he was Chair of Chatham House.
Investor, Policy Thinker, and Global Fellow
Today O’Neill chairs Northern Gritstone, an investment company backing start-ups from the Universities of Leeds, Manchester, and Sheffield, and is chair and co-founder of BRICS+ Thinking, a policy platform on the changing global economy. He is Co-President of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, a member of the South Yorkshire Mayoral Economic Advisory Council, and chair of a Center for Global Development working group on diagnostics for neonatal sepsis. He is a Distinguished Fellow at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and at Cornell’s Cañizares Center for Emerging Markets, a Visiting Professor at the University of Surrey, and an Honorary Professor of Economics at the University of Manchester.
He is the author of The Growth Map: Economic Opportunity in the BRICs and Beyond and co-author of Superbugs, on the threat of antimicrobial resistance. He holds a PhD in economics from the University of Surrey and honorary degrees from several UK universities.
As a speaker, Jim O’Neill brings the rare perspective of someone who has shaped how investors, governments, and global institutions think about growth. He speaks clearly and candidly about the global economy, emerging markets, the future of the BRICS, the UK’s regional and productivity challenges, and global health risks. Business leaders and investors leave with a grounded view of where growth will come from next and what it means for their strategy.
Jim O’Neill Speaking Videos
Jim O’Neill on: "IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE RECENT BANK FAILURES"
Lord Jim O’Neill at “Investing is a Sea by The Family Office”
Jim O’Neill Speaking Topics
More than two decades after he coined the term BRIC, O’Neill revisits how Brazil, Russia, India, and China have changed the world economy, and what the expanded BRICS group means today. He examines which economies are likely to drive the next wave of growth, how demographics and productivity shape long-term prospects, and how geopolitical tension is reshaping trade and investment. Audiences gain a clear framework for thinking about global growth beyond the headlines.
Drawing on his years leading Goldman Sachs’ asset management division, O’Neill gives investors and executives a practical view of emerging markets. He discusses how to separate long-term structural stories from short-term noise, which countries and sectors look most promising, and how currency, policy, and political risks should factor into allocation decisions.
Environmental, social, and governance investing has moved from niche to mainstream and now faces growing scrutiny. O’Neill looks at where ESG has delivered results, where it has fallen short, and how investors can focus on factors that genuinely affect long-term value, from climate risk to public health. The session offers a balanced perspective for asset managers, boards, and corporate leaders.
As chair of the landmark Review on Antimicrobial Resistance, O’Neill brought an economist’s lens to one of the world’s most serious health threats. He explains why drug-resistant infections carry enormous economic costs, what governments and industry must do to encourage new antibiotics and diagnostics, and what the issue teaches leaders about managing slow-moving global risks.
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FAQs on Booking Jim O’Neill
Booking Lord Jim O’Neill brings one of the most recognized economists in the world to your stage. As the creator of the BRIC acronym, former chief economist at Goldman Sachs, and a former UK Treasury minister, he combines deep market experience with an insider’s view of policymaking. He explains complex global trends in clear, direct language, which makes him an excellent choice for investment conferences, financial services events, board meetings, and leadership summits focused on the global economy. To book Jim O’Neill, contact Aurum Speakers Bureau and one of our founders will respond within 24 hours.
Jim O’Neill coined the term BRIC in 2001, while he was head of global economic research at Goldman Sachs, in a paper titled “Building Better Global Economic BRICs.” The acronym described the growing economic weight of Brazil, Russia, India, and China and became a widely used framework for investors and policymakers. South Africa later joined the political group, which has since expanded into BRICS+.
The Review on Antimicrobial Resistance was an independent study commissioned by the UK government and chaired by Jim O’Neill from 2014 to 2016. It estimated that drug-resistant infections could cause 10 million deaths a year by 2050 if left unchecked, and it recommended global actions such as reducing unnecessary antibiotic use, improving diagnostics, and creating incentives for new drug development.
Jim O’Neill speaks on the global economy, emerging markets, the BRICS and the shifting balance of economic power, investment strategy, ESG investing, UK regional growth and productivity, and global health risks such as antimicrobial resistance. He works well as a keynote speaker, in conversation, or on panels. Contact Aurum Speakers Bureau to check his availability for your event.
Aurum Speakers Bureau can help you book Jim O’Neill as a speaker for your next event, conference, or board meeting. Simply fill out our contact form to inquire about Jim O’Neill's availability for a speaking engagement. One of our booking agents will respond to your request immediately and contact the speaker to let them know you want to hire them. We will assist you with obtaining speaking fees, booking information, and confirming availability for Jim O’Neill or any other top keynote speaker or celebrity of your choice.
Jim O’Neill speaking fees are determined by several factors, including the event's date, whether it's a virtual or in-person event, the duration, format, preparation required for their speech, and more. The same applies to the cost to hire any other top expert speakers and celebrities. The Speaker Fee Range listed on our website is simply a guideline and is subject to change without notice. If you would like to hire Jim O’Neill to deliver a keynote speech for your event, please fill out the contact form or email us at info@aurumbureau.com with as much detail as possible. One of our experienced agents will get in touch with you and let you know exactly how much it will cost to book Jim O’Neill.
We only work with Jim O’Neill on paid speaking engagements. Aurum Speakers Bureau can assist you in booking Jim O’Neill and will handle all negotiations, contracts, and logistics associated with having Jim O’Neill speak at your event. We will be your sole point of contact throughout the process. Get in touch with Aurum Speakers Bureau today, and we will reach out to any motivational speaker or celebrity you want to enquire about speaking at your event. If you wish to contact Jim O’Neill for any other reason, we will be unable to assist you as we are not authorized to provide personal contact information.
Yes, Jim O’Neill is available for virtual keynotes and webinars. To book Jim O’Neill for a virtual event, please complete the contact form or send us an email to inquire about the special fees for virtual engagements.
