ABOUT ALASTAIR
Alastair has worked in the digital marketing space since co-founding Optix in 1999 as a computer science student at Exeter University. He is known for helping ambitious founders and global businesses navigate change, strengthen their brands and make more effective use of digital.
With more than 25 years of industry experience, he combines strategic thinking with practical expertise and a clear understanding of what supports meaningful growth. At Optix, Alastair contributes to the company’s growth strategy while advising brands and individuals on digital strategy and personal brand development. He also sits on the board of our sister company Your Digital Future, a talent and recruitment agency.
Alastair is a regular speaker at events across Europe, where he makes complex digital and marketing trends easier to understand and apply. Whether speaking at an event, advising a leadership team or helping someone build their profile, his approach is inspiring, engaging, practical and rooted in real-world experience.
Alongside his conference work, Alastair has guest lectured at a number of leading institutions. He has a regular role on the MBA programmes at London Business School and the University of Exeter and has also delivered sessions at Cambridge, LSE, Imperial College London, the University of Chicago and others.
Alastair is also the founder of the Marketing Leaders Community, a peer network for senior marketers. It helps members keep up with emerging trends, tools and industry developments, providing useful insights while saving them the time involved in researching everything themselves.
To learn more, visit marketingleaders.community.
Publications and appearances
Alastair regularly writes, teaches and speaks about digital strategy, marketing, artificial intelligence, personal branding and entrepreneurship. His work has reached audiences through international conferences, leading universities, industry publications, online courses and podcasts.
Published work and teaching
Substack Personal writing on business, marketing, communication and entrepreneurship.
LinkedIn Articles and insights on digital marketing, personal branding, AI and business growth.
Forbes Business Council Contributor on digital marketing, strategy and business leadership.
Udemy Online instructor whose courses have attracted more than 25,000 learners.
Interviews and podcasts
Manning Global: Get to Know Alastair Banks An in-depth interview covering the creation of Optix Solutions, the evolution of digital marketing, personal branding and entrepreneurship.
ON AIR With Owen A conversation about building a personal brand and using it to support sales and business development.
Marketing Magazin: Interview on AI and Digital Trends An interview exploring artificial intelligence and the digital developments likely to transform marketing.
Brentwood School Alumni Spotlight A profile covering Alastair’s entrepreneurial journey, career lessons and approach to leadership.
International conferences
SEMPL 2023 International speaker on the digital trends set to influence marketing and advertising in 2024.
DIGGIT 2023 Speaker at one of Slovenia’s largest marketing and technology conferences.
ASTP Annual Conference 2023 Plenary speaker on digital tools, online research and the rapidly developing role of AI.
European Label Forum 2019 International speaker on building personal and corporate brands through LinkedIn.
TechExeter Vision 2020 Conference speaker representing Optix Solutions.
Universities and education
Imperial College London Enterprise Lab Guest speaker on the digital tools entrepreneurs can use to develop and grow their businesses.
University of Exeter LinkedIn Masterclass Led a masterclass covering personal branding, social selling, profile development and professional networking.
University of Cambridge Knowledge Exchange Conference Speaker on the online tools changing knowledge transfer and research impact.
London Business School Guest lecturer for the Entrepreneurs Summer School, part of the school’s MBA programme.
Selected keynote appearances
Digital Trends 2023 Keynote speaker presenting an overview of the year’s most important digital developments.
CIM After Tomorrow Speaker and panellist at the Chartered Institute of Marketing’s tourism marketing event