Ed Barker
Strategy, ventures, and storytelling.
Seattle, WA - via UK
2025 — Present
Studio 1878
A podcast development studio for the modern brand. Not a production house - a strategic partner that helps organisations build shows with a clear point of view. Strategy, production, and distribution, from ideation to audience.
- Sound Investments PNW VC & Startups
- Showmakers Podcast Craft
- The Lost Tapes Narrative History
- How We Connected US Chamber of Connection
- NQAT Fan Culture
2002 — Present
No Question About That
The original independent fan-published podcast covering Manchester United. Started as a blog in 2002, became a podcast in 2009, now also a Substack newsletter. Weekly coverage of games, news, business, politics, and fan culture at the world's best supported club.
2010 — 2020 · GSMA, London
A Decade at the Heart of Global Telecoms
Led the strategy consulting practice at GSMA, the global body representing mobile operators worldwide. Worked with Chief Strategy Officers at the world's largest telcos to find long-term collaborative growth and invest in new markets.
Strategy Consulting
Strategy advisory to telecoms CSOs.
Market Acceleration
Founded GSMA100, a startup-to-corporate accelerator.
Impact Investment
Created an emerging markets impact fund providing investment in startups in Africa and Asia, in partnership with DFID and the Australian Government.
AI Lab & Foresight
Led innovation research including the Radar foresight programme; founded TelcoX, an A.I. lab working at the intersection of telco and machine learning.
2022 — 2024 · FIS
VP, Ventures
Led strategy, thesis development, and R&D at the CVC arm of one of the world's largest fintechs. Focused on AI, data, blockchain, and payments. More than 50 provisional patent claims filed.