Simon Torrance

Global Authority on Agentic AI, Advising Leaders and Delivering Keynotes on Deploying Next-Generation Digital Workforces to Transform Business Economics

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Simon Torrance's Biography

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

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Simon Torrance Keynote Speaker Reel

Simon Torrance - platform strategy expert and Executive Producer of Platform Strategy Summit

Simon Torrance Keynote Presentation

Apidays London 2022 - From Open Banking to Embedded Banking by Simon Torrance

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Simon Torrance Keynote Topics

Agentic AI

Simon explores the rise of agentic AI, systems that do not just answer questions but take action, and what it means for how businesses operate and compete. Grounded in 25 years of business model research, he helps leaders separate genuine opportunity from hype and understand how autonomous AI will reshape products, operations, and entire industries.

AI Strategy

Simon helps leadership teams build an AI strategy that goes beyond experiments to real business value. Drawing on research across thousands of companies, he sets out how to align AI investment with business model, where the durable advantages lie, and how to avoid the costly trap of adopting technology without a strategy behind it.

AI Innovation

Simon shows how organisations turn AI from a buzzword into a source of genuine innovation. He explores where AI creates new value, how to build the capabilities and culture to capitalise on it, and how incumbents can innovate at the pace digital-first competitors set.

Business Model Transformation

Simon's core expertise. Drawing on his study of 2,500 listed companies and his work with the World Economic Forum, he shows why traditional business models are under pressure and how organisations shift from hierarchies to platforms and ecosystems that create value through network effects. Leaders leave with a clear framework for reinventing how their business creates and captures value.

Corporate Strategy & Innovation

Simon helps boards and leadership teams rethink corporate strategy for digital-first markets. He explores how to spot the shifts reshaping competitive dynamics, where to place strategic bets, and how to build the organisational capacity to innovate continuously rather than in one-off bursts.

Simon Torrance's Biography

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

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Simon Torrance testimonials

Peter Stockhorst

CEO, Zurich Direct

"The best presentation at this year's event"

Eric Presset

Producer, Insurtech Insights

"Simon's webinar was in our Top 3 most viewed ever"

Rich Aneser

former Chief Strategy Officer, Envestnet

"Incredibly insightful ...deep understanding, unique perspectives on the market and actionable recommendations"

Inji Charkani

Chief Innovation Officer, AXA Partners

"Simon's ability to animate and facilitate meaningful discussions is impressive" -

Woody Mo

CEO, eBaoTech

"Simon is one of the most passionate and deep experts on the digital transformation of the global insurance industry"

Jennifer Schenker

Editor-in-Chief, The Innovator

"Simon is an expert on business model transformation. He is at the top of my list of people to interview. His insights are smart and invaluable." -

Thomas Kormendi

CEO, Elopak

"Simon's experience, skills and ability to communicate added a lot of value to our projects"

Nigel Hughes

Award-Winning Founder & CEO, Outstanding Global

"Simon is a thought leader extraordinaire!"

Albert Tan

Former, Chief Digital & Marketing Officer, Huawei

"Simon is at the forefront of digital trends. He is a great advisor, coach and mentor for the next generation digital leaders."

Jean-Charles Velge

Co-Founder, Qover

"Simon has an unmatched ability to think big, see new concepts and link this to actionable insights".

Frequently Asked Questions About
Simon Torrance

Simon specialises in business model innovation, platform ecosystems, digital business transformation, competitive strategy, and growth strategies in digital markets. His presentations combine research evidence, strategic frameworks, and practical perspectives for organisational application.

Contact Speaker Agency UK with your event details, audience composition, and desired business strategy focus area. Simon is available for executive conferences, strategy forums, corporate transformation programmes, and business school engagements. Speaking fees vary based on event scope and location.

Simon delivers keynotes at executive strategy conferences, digital transformation forums, business school programmes, innovation summits, board strategy sessions, and corporate transformation programmes targeting senior leaders navigating business model evolution.

Simon conducted comprehensive research examining business model approaches across 2,500 publicly-traded companies, providing data-driven insights into how established enterprises structure business models, create competitive advantage, and compete in contemporary markets. This research foundation supports evidence-based strategic frameworks he shares.

Speaking fees vary depending on event size, duration, location, and preparation requirements. Contact Speaker Agency UK for a personalised quotation based on your specific event needs.

Simon is based in the UK and available for speaking engagements across Europe and internationally.

The Platform Economy Summit is a major industry event focused specifically on business model transformation in platform-based markets. Co-founded by Simon Torrance, it brings together business and technology leaders to discuss platform economy implications, business model innovation, and digital transformation strategy.

"The New Growth Playbook" is an online course created by Simon for senior executives seeking contemporary growth frameworks applicable in digital-first markets. The course distils business model innovation and growth strategy applicable to organisations navigating digital transformation.