Work with me: advisory, interim and project work
I’m Ken Banks, an anthropologist, innovator, author and problem solver. For three decades I’ve helped organisations turn difficult problems into practical action. Everything from a text-messaging platform that reached tens of millions of people to strategy, coaching and advisory work across business, government, academia and the non-profit world.
As a social innovation consultant I’m open to conversations about advisory, interim, project and senior roles - whether you need an hour of clear thinking or a trusted partner for the year ahead.
Start a conversation →Explore working together →
30+ years
across technology, social impact and international development
Tens of millions
of people reached by FrontlineSMS, the platform I created
190 countries
where FrontlineSMS has been put to work
5 books
the latest an Amazon bestseller on finding purpose
4 sectors
across private, government, non-profit and academia
Explorer
a National Geographic Explorer since 2010, and a TED Prize nominee in 2013
My work has been featured by
About me
An anthropologist who ended up building things
I started out in finance and IT, studied social anthropology and spent years working across Africa with a wide range of organisations, from conservation and development NGOs to Google. While working with national parks in southern Africa I couldn’t find a tool that let conservationists and local communities talk to each other without the internet, so I built one. That became FrontlineSMS, a multi-award-winning text-messaging platform that scaled globally, supporting citizen election monitoring in Nigeria, humanitarian response after the 2010 Haiti earthquake, and local advocacy groups in Zimbabwe and during the Arab Spring.
Since then I’ve been a Visiting Fellow at Cambridge Judge Business School, a National Geographic Explorer and Expert Guide, a Fellow of both Ashoka and Pop!Tech, a Silicon Valley Tech Award winner, a TED Prize nominee and a recipient of the Eugene L. Lawler Award for Humanitarian Contributions Within Computer Science. I’m a keynote speaker, coach and mentor, and the author of five books.
These days I bring that same approach to organisations that want clear thinking and practical help, whether that’s strategy, coaching or a fresh pair of hands.
What I can offer
Practical help, however you need it
Six ways I help organisations and leaders discover, unlock and scale their impact.
Strategy
From blank page to bold plan. I’ll help you craft a strategy that turns opportunity into meaningful, lasting action – and that your team can actually deliver.
Social purpose
Reconnect what you do with why you exist. I’ll help you build a social purpose strategy that leads to clear, compelling action and real-world change.
Innovation
Use my deep understanding of people and communities to shape products, programmes and services that are meaningful, ethical and impactful.
Coaching and mentoring
Help your leaders and teams think more clearly, communicate better and lead with purpose, with an honest outside voice they can trust.
Writing and storytelling
Turn complex ideas into compelling narrative: books, articles, reports, campaigns and keynotes that engage audiences and drive action.
Exploration
Explore new possibilities, challenge assumptions and steer a path towards a better future. Exploration isn’t just about mountains; it’s about ideas.
Also available as a keynote speaker, panel moderator, compere and facilitator for conferences, leadership retreats and team events.
Why me
An unusual combination
I’ve built the thing, not just advised on it. I took an idea from a laptop and a mobile phone to a global platform, so I know what it takes to get from concept to impact.
A storyteller. I can explain complicated things simply and move people to act. Five books and years on stage have taught me how to make ideas stick.
An anthropologist’s eye. I look at who a decision will affect and how they’ll really use it, which is where most strategies and products quietly go wrong.
Hands-on. I don’t just advise. I roll up my sleeves, get stuck in and help make things happen, with measurable results. Less talk, more traction.
At home in every sector. I’ve worked with start-ups, governments, universities, charities and the UN, and I can translate between them.
I’m comfortable in the space between the problem and the answer, where things are still unclear and someone needs to make a start.
Is this you?
You might need me if…
You’ve lost sight of your purpose
Your organisation has drifted from its mission, or you need someone to reconnect strategy with the reason you exist.
You have an idea that needs making real
You need someone who can interrogate it, shape it, test it and turn it into something practical.
You’re entering unfamiliar territory
You need an experienced outsider to make sense of the opportunity, the risks and the wider system.
You’re going through change
You need steady, experienced leadership through transition, growth or uncertainty.
You want technology to serve people
You want to use technology and innovation for social value, without being distracted by technology for its own sake.
You need a trusted outside voice
You want a sounding board with no agenda: someone who will ask the difficult questions, offer a fresh perspective and help you and your team think more clearly.
Where I’ve worked
Social innovation in every sector, great and small
Whether it’s academia, business, government or the third sector, I’ve sat at many tables, rolled up my sleeves and delivered.
Private
From finance and IT in Jersey to Google in Africa to social purpose strategies for tech start-ups in London.
Government
From sitting on government advisory panels to escorting the UK Prime Minister on overseas business delegations.
Non-profit
From panel discussions with Desmond Tutu to product launches with David Attenborough and consulting with the UN.
Academia
From Ambassador for International Development at Sussex to Visiting Fellow at Cambridge Judge Business School and RMIT University in Australia.
Ways to work together
Flexible by design
No lengthy contracts. No hidden fees. No hassle. Choose the shape that suits you, and we can change it as we go.
By the hour
Book me for as little as one hour, at short notice. Ideal for focused, clearly defined questions: a second opinion, a sounding board, an idea to stress-test.
By the week
A regular day or more each week for an interim or fractional role: leading a piece of work, covering a transition or embedding with your team.
By the month
A set number of hours each month, used however you like. Ideal when you have lots going on or things are fluid.
By the project
Longer pieces of work, up to a year: a strategy, a product or programme design, a writing project or a residency, without the hassle of hiring.
Permanent or senior roles
I’m also open to conversations about senior leadership and advisory positions where this experience is a good fit.
Custom
Need something that doesn’t fit neatly into any of these? A block of days around a launch, a workshop or away-day, a short residency, or a mix of the above. Tell me what you need and we’ll design the time to fit.
Not sure which suits you? Tell me what you’re trying to achieve and we’ll shape something together.
How it works
Getting started is easier than you think
1. Say hello
Drop me a line with who you are and what you’re hoping to achieve. A few lines is plenty.
2. Tell me where you’re stuck
Send whatever you have: a brief, a document or a half-formed idea. You don’t need it all figured out, and I’ll come back with a proposed way forward.
3. Have a conversation
No hard sell, just an honest chat about how I can help. Ideally over coffee, or a video call if that’s easier.
4. Agree a simple plan
I’ll propose how we could work together, with a clear scope, time and cost. Then we get going.
In their words
Don’t take my word for it
“During his time as our Entrepreneur in Residence, Ken helped our people think in new ways about technology and innovation. Working with Ken lifted our game considerably on technology and innovation.”
Laurie Lee
Former Chief Executive, CARE International UK
“Ken was a dream to work with. His presentation was the perfect mix of inspiration, practicality and in-depth knowledge. The attendees were blown away and we look forward to working with him again.”
Nadia Millington
Programme Director, Social Innovation at LSE
“Ken combines a paradoxical blend of humility and confidence. As a global pioneer and entrepreneur in technology in the developing world, he has the rare ability to transfer his knowledge through incredible story telling.”
Daniel Epstein
Founder of the Unreasonable Group
“In my work over the years with Ken, I have valued his deep knowledge of how to effectively use mobiles to achieve social outcomes. He is an influential thought leader, bringing years of experience and entrepreneurial creativity combined with often surprising insights – and he’s great to work with.”
David Edelstein
Former Senior VP Global Programmes, Grameen
Come on. Say hello.
Got a challenge, an idea or just a question? Drop me an email and I’ll get back to you quickly. There’s no hard sell, just an honest conversation about how I can help.
Helpful to include: your organisation, what you’re trying to achieve, the kind of help you have in mind, and roughly when.
Alongside my paid work I give time to pro-bono mentoring, youth empowerment and supporting non-profits, so every engagement helps make that wider impact possible.