Paul Connolly

Paul Connolly is an investigative broadcast journalist, television presenter and documentary maker with near two decades of experience under his belt. He is an elite-level keynote speaker, celebrated for his commanding presence and ability to engage audiences across diverse platforms.

Specialising in covert filming and undercover work, Paul has risked life and limb to unmask some of Britain’s most dangerous criminals – and in a world first, lived as an inmate in four of the toughest prisons on earth.

With a wealth of experience as a radio presenter, podcaster, and media trainer, Paul has honed his communication expertise through years of delivering award-winning content.

Contact Great British Speakers today to book law & order crime investigative reporter Paul Connolly for your next event.

Type Of Speaker

Event Hosts Keynote Law, Crime & Security Moderators & Facilitators Politics & Current Affairs Presenters Speaker Virtual Speakers

More About Paul Connolly

These days, Paul Connolly is a vastly experienced investigative journalist best known for his work on crime – and the daring undercover operations that have seen him infiltrate criminal gangs in cities and towns across Britain. His acclaimed and extremely successful documentaries have aired on Channel 5 in the UK, Netflix, Discovery Channel, BBC Worldwide, Nine Network in Australia, TV3 in Ireland and on many other networks besides.

Paul Connolly Irish UK Channel 5 Netflix Discovery Channel BBC investigative broadcast journalist television presenter law crime documentary maker at Great British Speakers

Paul’s Channel 5 series has seen him go undercover to buy large shipments of fake and poisonous vodka from Eastern European crooks in Black-Market Britain; for months he immersed himself in the underworld to expose large-scale welfare fraud in Undercover Benefits Cheat; he narrowly escaped injury when, in Undercover Criminal, he secretly filmed from the passenger seat of a car as insurance fraudsters intentionally crashed into each other at speed; he interrogated the world of consumer-related crime and corruption in Hunted And Confronted; and in two series of Undercover: Nailing The Fraudsters Paul came face-to-face with high-end document forgers, international drug traffickers, ruthless con-men, dark-web scam-artists.

Never one to shy away, Paul Connolly is notorious also for the fearless manner in which he confronts and holds criminals to account when, finally, he can step out from behind his undercover identity to reveals who he really is. To say those moments are at times explosive, gripping and ultimately life-threatening is an understatement.

As the owner and lead trainer at The Broadcast Institute, the premier communications, mentoring, and coaching organization in Ireland and the UK, Paul has trained top professionals in delivering impactful messages and mastering public speaking. His extensive knowledge of media and communications makes him a sought-after expert in keynote speaking, where his ability to articulate complex ideas with clarity and charisma sets him apart.

Paul Connolly UK Channel 5 Netflix Discovery Channel BBC investigative broadcast journalist television presenter law crime documentary maker at Great British Speakers

Paul Connolly – Inside The World’s Toughest Prisons

He also presented Inside The World’s Toughest Prisons where, in a world first, he lived as a prisoner for a week inside four of the most dangerous lock-ups on earth.

Paul describes it as “equal parts fascinating, mind-altering and impossibly dangerous” but again, it has provided him with a rare and remarkable insight into the mind of a criminal. The series was first broadcast on Channel 5 in the UK, and later Netflix.

Paul Connolly UK Irish Channel 5 Netflix Discovery Channel BBC investigative broadcast journalist television presenter law crime documentary maker at Great British Speakers

Paul Connolly Keynote Public Speaking

Paul is also a well-known radio personality in his native Ireland, an established public speaker and events host; he has also had numerous articles published in newspapers and other publications, both online and in print.

Paul Connolly Keynote Talks

Crackling the Communication Code: Undercover Secrets Revealed: This is a talk about what years of undercover work taught me about communications. The techniques I learned, some by accident, others by design, have real applications in life and in the workplace. They can transform people’s approach to it. It’s been a revelation.

AI’s Dark-Future: Navigating the Rise of Tech-Driven Crime: This follows on from a BBC documentary I made about the intersection between artificial intelligence and crime.