Ben Timberlake is a former security consultant and medic, now archaeologist, journalist and author, specialising in high-risk areas including Iraq and Syria. In a previous life, his undercover missions concerned nuclear terrorism, the Far Right, and the trafficking of people, wildlife, looted antiquities and organs.

He has written for the Financial Times, The Guardian and The Economist, and made Channel 4 and Discovery films on topics from Japanese mummies to prehistoric rock art. His book, High Risk, published in 2021, is a vivid account of life on the edge. From his first brush with death and his time in the SAS, to his experiences in conflict zones and in extreme environments. The book has been praised for its insightful narrative, with the Times Magazine describing it as “Funny, chaotic but unexpectedly profound.”

Now focused on archaeology, Ben is co-founder of Jonah X, which works to preserve and protect art and cultural heritage in conflict zones. His gripping talks on decision-making in high-risk environments and post-traumatic growth draw from his extensive experiences, making him a sought-after speaker worldwide. Ben's unique blend of expertise in security, archaeology, and human psychology positions him as a compelling voice in discussions about resilience and the human condition under extreme circumstances.