NIGEL LAKE

Long-term thinking + Action = Lasting impact

"When you build a fire, it isn't where you put the sticks that matters, it's where you put the holes." Nigel Lake.

I help businesses, governments and non-profits achieve greater success by helping them to identify their strategic destination and how best to attain it. Much of my work lies at the intersection of technological change, commerce, finance, entrepreneurship and communication.

I'm a corporate advisor

I've advised hundreds of organisations on long-term strategy, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, large scale infrastructure projects and innovation, helping them to design and implement strategies that create value for all stakeholders - and which CEOs and boards don't later regret. I work via Pottinger, which I co-founded in 2003.

Hundreds of transactions
and assignments

$100bn+
transaction value

First hand experience in
50+ countries

I'm an entrepreneur

Since founding Pottinger in 2003, I've helped dozens of other startups. My focus is mostly on B2B companies and the early commercialization of new technologies that can improve the world in which we live and work.

Speaking at the Myriad innovation event in Brisbane, Australia, 2018

I'm an active advocate for sustainability

In 2020, I co-founded ESGX, a community for sharing information and education to inspire collaboration and action to help build a better, more resilient and more inclusive society.

Via live online events that are interactive and open to all, we connect experts, activists and entrepreneurs with our global network of influential leaders and decision-makers in business, finance, academia, government and philanthropy. You can join the community here and you can see recordings of previous shows on our YouTube channel at live.esgx.org.

I'm a writer and occasional talking head...

"The Long Term Starts Tomorrow"

With Prof Jorgen Randers, launching my first book.

My first book makes the case for long-term thinking as a powerful antidote to the complexity of decision-making in today's fast-changing world.

Buy or download

Pottinger Perspectives

With Rick Holliday Smith, discussing infrastructure

I write for Pottinger, contribute Op Eds to major newspapers and previously had a regular column in CEO Magazine in Europe and Australia

TV and radio

With Ticky Fullerton on Sky Money

I'm a commentator on major business news shows, talking about M&A, technology, innovation, start-ups and international affairs

Media appearances

I'm an international public speaker...

I speak on innovation, infrastructure, sustainability and long-term strategy globally - my objective is to inspire leaders to marry long-term vision with near term action.

Private events

Tailored presentations and workshops for boards and other audiences

Public speaking

Keynote speeches and panel hosting for conferences and events

Intergovernmental forums

Expert contributions to initiatives such as the B20 and China's Belt + Road Initiative

Click here for more information

Long-term thinking drives most things I do...

Environment

Visiting friends on the UK's south coast

Sustainability

Talking sustainability in Australia

Systems thinking

Thinking about how to drive systemic change...

Over the years I have had the good fortune to meet many intelligent, inspiring and innovative leaders. Through my life and career, I have become increasingly involved in seeking to drive systematic change to the way that people live and countries are run, to improve our collective quality of life, and in the hope that we can leave a positive legacy for future generations.

I've lived and worked all over the world - I'm now based in New York