Chris Riddell (futurist)
Chris Riddell (born as Christopher Bradley Riddell, February 1981) is a British digital technology expert and futurist.
Personal life and education
Riddell was born in Bahrain (Manama) to Colin and Barbara, and is a British National. He lived his childhood in the Middle East and Europe, in countries including Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom and France.
In 1991 during the ‘first’ gulf war, Chris was temporarily moved with his family to Perth (Western Australia). One year later, Chris returned to the Middle East with his parents, and then finally back to the United Kingdom where he completed his education.
Chris now lives in Melbourne, Australia.
Career
Riddell's career started in the United Kingdom in the IT and telecommunications sector. He moved in his mid twenties to Saudi Arabia, and remained there for just over 5 years. He moved to Australia and joined MARS Australia & New Zealand to became the first Chief Digital Officer of the company. He is also an active board member of the Museum of Australian Democracy at Eureka. Riddell is a futurist and inspirational keynote speaker and has delivered strategy and keynotes for telecommunications providers, banks, financial institutions, travel providers, and businesses at the front of disruption. He is frequently called on to be a spokesperson and commentator on emerging digital trends and behaviours in the media.