Zak Brown is the Chief Executive Officer of McLaren Racing, where his strategic vision and commercial acumen have transformed the team into a modern powerhouse of motorsport. Under his leadership, McLaren has not only regained its competitive edge in Formula One, clinching its first Constructors’ Championship since 1998 in 2024, but has also expanded its dominance across IndyCar, Formula E, Extreme E and esports. Recognised for his ability to inspire winning cultures and drive performance at scale, Zak is a highly sought-after leadership speaker who draws on his unique journey from professional racer to global business leader.

Zak’s motorsport career began behind the wheel, competing professionally for over a decade and securing multiple titles, including the International Kart Federation championship between 1988 and 1990. His entrepreneurial flair soon came to the fore when he founded Just Marketing International (JMI) in 1995, which grew into the world’s largest motorsport marketing agency. Following JMI’s acquisition by Chime Sports Marketing, Zak stayed on as Group CEO, continuing to refine his expertise in global sports business leadership. His trajectory illustrates a rare blend of racing instinct with commercial strategy — a combination that would later define his tenure at McLaren.

In 2009, Zak co-founded and became Chairman of United Autosports, one of the largest motorsport teams in the world, further cementing his influence across multiple racing disciplines. By 2016, he had joined McLaren as Executive Director of the McLaren Technology Group before being appointed CEO of McLaren Racing in 2018. His tenure has been marked by revitalisation, both on and off the track, with his operational leadership playing a central role in restoring McLaren’s competitive reputation and broadening its global footprint. His achievements have been recognised with honours such as the IMRRC Cameron R. Argetsinger Award in 2024.

As a speaker, Zak offers invaluable insights into leadership, resilience and building high-performance teams. He translates lessons learned from the competitive intensity of Formula One into strategies relevant for organisations navigating change, risk and growth. Having shared his expertise at global platforms such as Salesforce’s Dreamforce and Dell Tech World, Zak is hired for his ability to inspire leaders to think boldly, adapt quickly and drive success in highly competitive environments.