Adrian Simpson

Inspiring Leaders with Lessons from the World’s Best Businesses | Wavelength’s Chief Connector

Testimonials for Adrian Simpson

Meet Adrian

Adrian Simpson brings the kind of insight you only get from sitting inside the boardrooms of Apple, Alibaba, Aravind and countless others – and from building a leadership business that’s transformed how thousands of senior executives learn, lead and scale.

As Co-Founder of Wavelength, Adrian has spent the past 15 years leading immersive study tours and designing leadership programmes for some of the most ambitious organisations in the world. 

But this isn’t just a career of observation – Adrian speaks from personal experience, having navigated the highs and lows of scaling a mission-driven business and managing senior teams himself.

Whether speaking to FTSE 100 boards or high-growth scale-ups, Adrian fuses global perspective with commercial punch – delivering keynotes that shift mindsets and arm leaders with practical strategies for driving performance and culture.

Watch Adrian in Action

See Adrian’s impact for yourself in his latest Speaker Showreel – a dynamic snapshot of his energy, insight, and the global leadership lessons he brings to every stage.

Adrian’s Signature Talk: The 10 Characteristics of a High-Performing Organisation

What do Apple, Aravind, and Alibaba have in common? 

Adrian has spent the last 15 years inside the world’s most progressive organisations, identifying the consistent traits that drive exceptional performance. 

In this fast-paced, insight-rich talk, he unpacks the 10 characteristics that define high-performing organisations – from relentless customer focus and execution obsession, to values lived at scale and leadership that’s personal, not performative.

Packed with real-world stories and lessons that stick, this talk will challenge your assumptions, benchmark your organisation, and spark urgent conversations at the top.

Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of what it takes to build and sustain a high-performance culture in today’s dynamic business landscape.

Ideal for: Executive teams, board sessions, leadership offsites, high-growth businesses
Format: 45–60 minutes keynote (includes optional benchmarking worksheet)

Other Popular Topics

Adrian can also be seen talking about and facilitating insightful and inspiring discussions on trending topics such as:

  • What British Business Can Learn from China
    A provocative tour of the bold, fast, and fearless – lessons from Wavelength’s deep immersion into Chinese tech and innovation giants.
  • Purpose + Profit: Scaling Meaningful Business
    Inspired by organisations like Aravind and Timpsons, this talk explores how purpose-driven businesses outperform – when done with discipline and grit.
  • Leadership Behind Closed Doors
    What really goes on inside the world’s most admired organisations? A behind-the-scenes look at leadership culture, failure, and reinvention at the top.

Why Book Adrian?

  • He’s Built It. Adrian co-founded Wavelength and knows the realities of leading from the front. 
  • He’s Seen It All. From Shenzhen to Silicon Valley, he’s taken thousands of leaders behind the scenes of the world’s best. 
  • He Makes It Stick. Adrian’s mix of story, substance and strategic insight leaves lasting impact.