Annabelle Gawer

Annabelle Gawer

Leading Authority on the Digital Platform Economy & Strategic Innovation

Core Intelligence Domain: Digital Transformation & Platform Strategy
Location: London, United Kingdom | Languages: English, French
Representation: Represented globally by PSpeakers Global Intelligence

Annabelle Gawer is a globally recognised pioneer and leading academic authority on the business of digital platforms and innovation ecosystems. As the Chaired Professor in Digital Economy at the University of Surrey and the Director of the Centre of Digital Economy (CoDE), she provides unparalleled strategic foresight into how platform dynamics are reshaping global industries, corporate strategies, and regulatory landscapes. Her proprietary frameworks have fundamentally altered how C-suite executives and policymakers understand value creation, network effects, and ecosystem governance in the digital age.

With an academic foundation rooted in rigorous research at MIT, Oxford, and INSEAD, Professor Gawer’s thought leadership is highly sought after by top-tier global enterprises. She is the co-author of seminal works that have defined the field, including The Business of Platforms: Strategy in the Age of Digital Competition, Innovation, and Power and Platform Leadership: How Intel, Microsoft, and Cisco Drive Industry Innovation. These publications serve as essential playbooks for leaders aiming to transition from traditional product-centric models to highly scalable platform architectures.

Beyond corporate strategy, Annabelle Gawer acts as a critical advisor at the geopolitical level. She has presented her research to the European Commission, the OECD, and the UK House of Lords, actively shaping the discourse on Big Tech regulation, digital competition, and antitrust policies. Her dual expertise in corporate innovation and public policy allows her to provide a holistic, forward-looking view of the digital economy’s future trajectory.

Major Achievements & Strategic Contributions

• Chaired Professor in Digital Economy at the University of Surrey Business School and Director of the Centre of Digital Economy (CoDE).
• Co-author of the award-winning bestseller The Business of Platforms, alongside MIT’s Michael Cusumano and Harvard’s David Yoffie.
• Pioneered the concept of “Platform Leadership,” creating the foundational frameworks used by Fortune 500 companies to build competitive digital ecosystems.
• Expert advisor on platform regulation, data governance, and digital markets to the European Parliament, the European Commission, and the OECD.
• Highly cited academic visionary with groundbreaking publications in top-tier journals such as the Strategic Management Journal and Research Policy.

Key Speaking Topics

• The Business of Platforms: Strategic blueprints for designing, monetising, and scaling digital platforms in fiercely competitive global markets.
• Transitioning from Products to Platforms: Actionable roadmaps for legacy businesses seeking to leverage network effects and foster ecosystem innovation.
• The Future of Big Tech: Analysing the power dynamics, competitive strategies, and systemic vulnerabilities of the world’s largest technology firms.
• Platform Regulation & Governance: Navigating the rapidly evolving regulatory landscape surrounding digital platforms, antitrust laws, and data privacy in Europe and beyond.
• Innovation Ecosystems: Building and orchestrating collaborative networks that drive sustainable technological advancement and industry disruption.

Key Takeaways

• Discover the core mechanics of network effects and how they drive exponential growth and competitive advantage in the platform economy.
• Acquire actionable frameworks to successfully transition your organisation from a traditional pipeline business model to a dynamic platform ecosystem.
• Understand the critical strategic balance between fostering platform innovation, ensuring robust ecosystem governance, and outmanoeuvring digital competitors.
• Gain strategic foresight into upcoming regulatory shifts targeting digital platforms and learn how to future-proof your corporate strategy against antitrust interventions.