Simon Torrance

Simon Torrance is a business model innovation advisor and platform economy strategist delivering keynote presentations on contemporary business model transformation, platform and ecosystem strategies, and organisational growth in digital-first markets. With 25+ years of specialised experience in business model innovation, rigorous research examining 2,500 publicly-traded companies, World Economic Forum Digital Platforms and Ecosystems working group involvement, and co-founding the Platform Economy Summit, Simon brings cutting-edge perspectives on business model evolution grounded in data and strategic insight to corporate and institutional audiences. About Simon Torrance Simon Torrance's 25+ year career spans business model innovation, strategic transformation, and platform economy expertise. His deep specialisation in platform and ecosystem business models positions him as a thought leader addressing one of the most significant business transformations of the digital age—the shift from traditional hierarchical organisations to interconnected platforms and ecosystems creating value through network effects and multi-stakeholder collaboration. This transformation is reshaping competitive dynamics across industries and requiring fundamental business model rethinking. His expertise is grounded in rigorous empirical research. Simon conducted a comprehensive 2017 study analysing business model approaches across 2,500 listed companies, providing data-driven insights into how publicly-traded enterprises structure their business models, create competitive advantage, and compete in contemporary markets. This large-scale empirical research examining real company practices establishes his credibility and provides evidence-based frameworks applicable to diverse organisational contexts. The scale of this research—encompassing 2,500 companies—provides statistically robust insights rather than anecdotal observations. Simon's author credentials contribute substantively to his thought leadership. His co-authored book "Fightback" (published January 2020) addresses business model innovation and competitive strategy in contemporary markets. The book provides frameworks for established organisations competing against disruptive new entrants and platform-based competitors—a challenge increasingly central to competitive strategy. This publication timing—early in the platform economy acceleration—positioned the work to address urgent organisational challenges facing established enterprises navigating digital disruption. His course offering, "The New Growth Playbook," serves senior executives seeking contemporary growth frameworks applicable in digital-first markets. This online course format demonstrates his commitment to making expertise accessible to busy executives whilst reflecting contemporary learning preferences. The course's targeting of senior-level executives indicates its sophisticated content and strategic relevance to organisational decision-making. Simon's World Economic Forum involvement positions him within global thought leadership networks addressing platform economy transformation at the highest strategic levels. His participation in the Digital Platforms and Ecosystems working group indicates peer recognition of his expertise and reflects his involvement in shaping how business and policy leaders think about platform economy implications. WEF engagement reflects elite-level thought leadership and access to influential decision-making forums. His speaking engagements span prestigious platforms establishing his visibility and credibility globally. He has delivered presentations at MIT, Mobile World Congress (MWC), Web Summit, ITU Leadership Summit, and co-founded the Platform Economy Summit—a major industry event focused specifically on business model transformation in platform-based markets. These speaking venues represent some of the most influential forums where global business and technology leaders gather, indicating his status as a recognised expert at international level. His guest lecturer role at Singularity University—an institution focused on exponential technologies and their organisational implications—reflects his expertise in technology-driven business transformation and future-oriented strategic thinking. Singularity's focus on exponential change aligns with his platform economy expertise addressing how technology is fundamentally reshaping business models and competitive dynamics. Key Achievements & Awards 25+ years specialised experience in business model innovation Comprehensive 2017 research analysing 2,500 publicly-traded companies Co-authored "Fightback" on business model innovation and competitive strategy "The New Growth Playbook" course for senior executives World Economic Forum Digital Platforms and Ecosystems working group member Co-founder Platform Economy Summit (major industry event) Keynote speaker: MIT, Mobile World Congress, Web Summit, ITU Leadership Summit Guest lecturer Singularity University on exponential technology and business transformation Recognised thought leader on platform ecosystems and digital business models Keynote Speaking Topics Platform and Ecosystem Business Models Platform and ecosystem business models create value through network effects—the value of the platform increases as more participants join and interact. Simon's framework addresses how platforms differ from traditional business models, how network effects drive competitive advantage, how organisations can identify and build defensible platforms, and how traditional organisations can compete in platform-dominated environments. Business Model Evolution in Digital Markets Digital markets are reshaping business model fundamentals. Simon explores how digital technologies enable new business model approaches, how competitive dynamics shift in digital contexts, how organisations can leverage digital capabilities to create new value delivery approaches, and how to recognise when existing business models face obsolescence requiring transformation. Growth Strategies for Contemporary Organisations Traditional growth strategies—geographic expansion, market penetration, product extension—require updating for digital markets where platform effects and ecosystem participation create different growth dynamics. Simon addresses how organisations can identify growth opportunities in digital contexts, how to build ecosystem partnerships accelerating growth, how to leverage platform dynamics, and how to compete for growth in increasingly competitive markets. Competing Against Platform-Based Disruptors Established organisations increasingly compete against digital-native platform companies with fundamentally different business models and competitive advantages. Simon addresses how established organisations can recognise disruptive threats, how to adapt business models to compete against platform-based competitors, when to defend traditional business models versus fundamentally transform, and how to build organisational capability competing in disrupted environments. Building Ecosystem Strategies and Network Effects Organisations competing in platform contexts must think systemically about ecosystems—how they connect with partners, complementors, suppliers, and customers to create network effects. Simon's framework addresses how to design ecosystem strategies creating value for participants, how to attract participants into ecosystems, how to govern multi-stakeholder platforms, and how network effects create competitive defensibility. The New Growth Playbook: Strategies for Digital Markets Simon's "New Growth Playbook" distils contemporary growth strategies applicable to organisations navigating digital market transformation. The playbook addresses how to identify growth in disrupted markets, how to build new growth engines alongside existing businesses, how to organise for growth transformation, and how to navigate the tension between legacy business sustainability and growth transformation. The Future of Business Models: Trends and Implications Business models continue evolving as technologies advance and new approaches emerge. Simon addresses emerging business model trends including artificial intelligence integration, data-driven business models, circular economy approaches, and how organisations can anticipate and prepare for business model evolution. His future-oriented perspective helps organisations think ahead rather than react to disruption. Digital Transformation and Business Model Adaptation Digital transformation affects not just operations but fundamental business models and value delivery approaches. Simon addresses how organisations can align digital transformation with business model innovation, avoid investing in digital capabilities that don't address core business model challenges, and leverage digital transformation as opportunity for business model reimagining. Multi-Stakeholder Value Creation Platform and ecosystem models involve multiple stakeholders—participants, complementors, customers, suppliers. Simon explores how organisations can create value frameworks serving multiple stakeholders, how to balance different stakeholder interests, how governance enables multi-stakeholder value creation, and why multi-stakeholder thinking is increasingly central to competitive advantage. Looking for a business model or platform strategy speaker? Simon Torrance is available for executive conferences, strategy forums, and corporate transformation programmes. Contact Speaker Agency UK to check availability and discuss your event requirements.