Chris Marshall is an entrepreneur and neurodivergent polymath, founder of The Playfulness Institute and Beyond Here, aiming to change the world through research and insights into playfulness and human thriving.
The truth is, the future belongs to the people who refuse to stay in their lane. Why? Because they see patterns others miss. They grab insights from one field and apply them where no one else thought to look
The Playfulness Institute serves a specific and essential purpose in our modern world: to help leaders and organisations understand that playfulness—far from being a frivolous pastime—is, in fact, the key to building flourishing, productive, and engaged teams and businesses that thrive in times of disruption.
Playfulness, as Chris defines it, is a blend of creativity, curiosity, and connectedness. He suggests that side projects can be a powerful way to unleash these creative and curious aspects, and he has pursued several of his own—including founding and building one of the UK’s most awarded craft distilleries, whose spirits are now sold across Europe and making inroads into the US market.
Some thoughts and post on my own experience of being neurodivergent, in the hope it helps other with their own journey. I was diagnosed with Aspergers (now placed on the ASD spectrum) and dyslexia when I was 14 years old. However it was only in my last 30’s I discovered I also had ADHD too.
It’s no secret that Chris loves an audience, and over the years Chris has been invited to speak to a wide range of teams, organisations and conferences. Find out where Chris is speaking, or book him for your next event.
In 2016, Chris completed his MSc by research, diving into behavioural science and the fascinating area of investor decision-making and evaluation in relation to mental toughness and resilience—two concepts he had developed first-hand expertise in through his experience as a junior athlete and his work with performance psychologists. Chris now applies his insights from research on playfulness in his role as a consultant behavioural scientist with The Wisdom Council, helping to better understand financial decision-making, resilience, and risk.
Playfulness, as Chris defines it, is a blend of creativity, curiosity, and connectedness. He suggests that side projects can be a powerful way to unleash these creative and curious aspects, and he has pursued several of his own—including founding and building one of the UK’s most awarded craft distilleries, whose spirits are now sold across Europe and making inroads into the US market.
The Being Playful Podcast explores how playfulness can help leaders and teams thrive in today’s fast-changing world. Whether you want to boost creativity, build resilience, or foster a more engaged workplace, this podcast offers fresh insights and practical strategies. Hosted Chris, it features thought-provoking conversations with diverse guests on the power of curiosity, creativity, and connection in high-performance environments.
Chris Marshall is an experienced trainee psychotherapist, specialising in outcome-oriented psychotherapy. He currently works with a UK-based charity, supporting survivors of sexual and domestic abuse. His work in trauma recovery deepens his understanding of the vital role human connection, playfulness, and strong working alliances play in healing and rebuilding lives. His approach is rooted in evidence-based techniques, focusing on resilience, recovery, and meaningful change.
Chris Marshall entered the financial industry in early 2007, joining one of the major global banks just before the Great Financial Crisis. This experience gave him a front-row seat to one of the most turbulent periods in modern financial history, shaping his understanding of markets, risk, and investor behaviour.
He went on to become a Certified and Chartered Financial Planner, spending nearly a decade as an investment manager and strategist, overseeing asset allocation and risk for a boutique fund manager. Bringing his expertise in behavioural science to the financial world, he developed a behavioural macro approach—helping to interpret market dynamics through the lens of human behaviour.
During his time as an investment strategist, Chris authored Decoding Change: Understanding What the Heck Is Going On and Why We Should Be Optimistic About the Future. The book explores the forces shaping our world, the key drivers of change, and how we can improve our ability to navigate uncertainty with confidence.
How can playfulness help individuals and organisations thrive in disruptive times? This is the central question driving Chris Marshall’s PhD research at the University of Northampton. His work explores the impact of playfulness on organisational culture and outcomes, particularly in fostering resilience, adaptability, and innovation. By bridging behavioural science with real-world applications, his research aims to uncover how playfulness can be a powerful tool for navigating uncertainty and shaping the future of work.
