Biography

Entrepreneur, advisor and portfolio director, Mike Soutar has proven himself to be every start-up founders’ best friend – and sometime their worst nightmare.

Scottish-born and London-raised, Mike started his career in journalism in Dundee writing horoscopes for a women’s magazine, before moving to the capital and progressing up the editorial ranks. After running some of the UK’s biggest media brands, and with 13 years as the meticulous interrogator on BBC One prime time hit The Apprentice, Mike dedicates his time to building better businesses and developing the next generation of leaders. In 2025 Mike joined the Government’s Board of Trade to champion the best of British business to the rest of the world.

In 2007, out of the ashes of the global financial crash, Mike co-founded Shortlist Media. It grew from five employees to over 200 in five years with a stable of award-winning print, digital, live event and international brands, including ShortList and Stylist. As CEO he led the sale of the business eight years later, having revolutionised magazine publishing in the UK along the way.

His ability to turn around businesses and lead through change means Mike has left his mark on some of the UK’s leading media brands. As Managing Director, he was responsible for the surging fortunes of radio’s Kiss FM in the early noughties, and he was a transformational editor at both Smash Hits and FHM, taking them into market-leader positions in the 1990s.

With a continuing interest in media, culture and entertainment, Mike is a Non-Executive Director at Scottish Rugby, a Trustee of the V&A Dundee and an independent director and advisor to fast growth businesses in fintech and contemporary art retail.

Mike Soutar continues to write and speak regularly on leadership, entrepreneurialism and resilience, while mentoring emerging leadership talent.