Sir Robin Niblett: From Musician to a Career in Global Policy

As the former Director and Chief Executive of Chatham House and a current influential voice in global strategy, Sir Robin's story reveals how diverse experiences can inform and enrich leadership in the complex arena of global affairs.

You have had a distinguished career, most recently as Director and Chief Executive of Chatham House. Alongside that, you are a Senior Adviser at Hakluyt, a distinguished fellow of the Asia Society Policy Institute and a Senior Adviser to the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, DC. Can you tell us a bit about the key milestones in your career?

Reflecting on the defining moments of my career, it’s clear that my journey began with a serendipitous turn when I landed an internship at CSIS in Washington, DC. My path was anything but typical. I had a background in modern languages and had played in a band for my first two years after university. This non-traditional profile led to a string of rejections from other think tanks. However, Colonel Bill Taylor, a remarkable figure known also for his role as Elvis Presley’s Commanding Officer, saw something in me. His decision to take a chance was the foundational stone for my career.

In 1997, armed with a PhD, I returned to CSIS at a time of leadership flux. John Hamre took the helm as CEO in 2000 when I was a Vice President for Strategic Planning. Having thoughts about organisational direction that diverged from his, I drafted him a memo. Unexpectedly, Hamre saw value in my perspective and asked me to assist him in guiding CSIS, catapulting me into the role of his deputy.

Another crucial juncture came 10 years later, when, wanting to return to Europe, I turned down a very tempting opportunity to join the European University Institute in Florence. Encouraged by Dame DeAnne Julius, a founding member of the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee and then Chair of Chatham House, I instead threw my hat in the ring to lead the institute. My bid was successful, and I spent 15 years rebuilding the institution and steering it through some difficult moments, from the financial crisis to Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Looking back, it was Colonel Taylor's readiness to bet on an atypical talent that drew me into the realm of international affairs. His punt on a young person with an eclectic background shows that diverse experiences can help open a career in completely new directions.

You mentioned a spell in a band – what prompted the change to working in international affairs?

In my early twenties, music wasn't just a hobby – it was my life's pursuit. I was deeply invested in my band, and we had aspirations of hitting it big. We managed to secure a management contract and spent endless hours in the rehearsal studio and playing gigs around London. Despite our best efforts, the dream never became a reality.

Faced with redefining my future, I searched for a new passion to channel my life into. At this time, my then girlfriend, now wife's father, a journalist, pointed me towards international affairs. He thought my linguistic abilities and international upbringing would be the bridge to a career in this field. Heeding his advice, I embarked on an intensive half-year of self-directed study, writing essays on a variety of global issues.

Although my efforts were quite amateurish, I can now see that my commitment to this change in direction paid off. In the narrow world of think tanks, where there's way more demand to secure jobs offering policy analysis than places, a lukewarm effort simply doesn't suffice. The lesson is that, while changing your life's direction is always possible, it demands complete and earnest dedication.

You are an expert on international affairs and geopolitics, and this month you published your book, “The New Cold War: How the Contest Between the US and China will Shape our Century.” What inspired you to write this book in particular?

During my time at Chatham House, I had the privilege to engage with experts and global leaders on very diverse issues, expanding my expertise beyond the European and transatlantic focus of my earlier career to the politics of China, India, the Middle East and the global economy. From 2007 to 2022, I witnessed critical global shifts, including the waning of support for globalisation in America and Europe, Brexit and Trump’s election, the rise of China's international assertiveness and Russia's decision to overthrow the post-War order in Europe through its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. These events underscored the resurgence of geopolitics, with nations increasingly focused on their interests amid growing global mistrust.

Reflecting on these developments, I saw the centrality of the US-China contest in shaping the world’s future. My book examines this rivalry, which is marked by deep mutual distrust and conflicting ideologies. It explores the nature of the strategic competition that will define our era, how other countries are reacting to it and what it could mean for our ability to deal with common challenges such as climate change. I also suggest five ways that we can navigate the onset of the new Cold War and try to ensure it doesn’t get ‘hot’.

How do you think businesses should navigate what is becoming an increasingly complex geopolitical environment?

Businesses need to develop a keener understanding of the international context, recognizing not only national market and political dynamics but also geopolitical trends. Integrating this awareness into corporate strategic planning is vital. In addition, embracing diversity – whether in the mix of staff or the types of input from advisory bodies – can ensure businesses have the necessary situational awareness and adaptability to deal with very unpredictable futures.

Growth opportunities exist, especially in the many emerging markets, with young populations that are embracing tech innovation and are leveraging, rather than engaging, in the new Cold War. But the resilience of democratic economies – especially the US and across Europe – shouldn't be overlooked, as they offer potential both for stability and growth amidst global shifts.

You joined the International Advisory Board for Brown Advisory in 2023. What are your early impressions, and where do you see the biggest opportunity at Brown Advisory going forward?

My role on the International Advisory Board has been enlightening. Brown Advisory's community-like operation, its open culture and its strong values all resonate with me. Its employee ownership structure ensures a collaborative and deep-rooted commitment to these values. The firm's dedication to long-term investment and a diversified offering for clients aligns with my belief in strategic analysis over short-term market reactions.

I believe that part of the firm's potential lies in its global expansion, which must nevertheless align with its values and how these are reflected in the new geopolitical landscape. As Brown Advisory grows, it is important to maintain the company ethos and navigate international markets with a considered and principled strategy.

Thank you for your time and valuable insights Sir Robin.

You can order a copy of Sir Robin’s book here.

For more information about Brown Advisory click here.

Sir Robin Niblett’s Biography Robin Niblett is a Distinguished Fellow with Chatham House (the Royal Institute of International Affairs) and a Senior Adviser with Hakluyt, the London-based strategic advisory firm. He is also a Senior Adviser to CSIS and a Distinguished Fellow with the Asia Society Policy Institute. Robin was the Director and Chief Executive of Chatham House from 2007 to 2022. From 2001 to 2006, he was the Executive Vice President at CSIS in Washington, D.C. Robin is a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Geopolitics and its Co-Chair (2020-22). He is a member of the UK FCDO’s Expert Group and was a Special Adviser to the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee (2015-17). He was Chairman of the Experts Group for the 2014 NATO Summit in Wales. From January 2010 to May 2020, he was a Non-Executive Director of Fidelity European Values Investment Trust.

?Robin is the author of The New Cold War: How the Contest Between the US and China Will Shape Our Century (Atlantic Books, 2024) and numerous Chatham House and CSIS reports on British, European and US foreign policy. His commentary and analysis have appeared in the world’s leading journals and newspapers, and he is a regular commentator on Bloomberg and CNN International. He has testified to committees of the House of Commons and US Congress.

?Robin was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) in The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee 2022 Birthday Honours for services to international relations and British foreign policy. He received his MPhil and DPhil in International Relations from New College, Oxford.

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