Let’s Connect +353 2354905 |
[email protected]
Representing World Leading Speakers…
David Rowan, founding Editor-in-chief of WIRED’s UK edition (2008-17), is the author of Non-Bullshit Innovation: Radical Ideas from the World’s Smartest Minds (Transworld, 2019), a global quest for bold corporate innovation in the face of technology-led disruption.
David Rowan travels the globe in search of the most exciting and pioneering startups building the future. He’s got to know the founders of WhatsApp, LinkedIn, Google, Spotify, Xiaomi, Didi, Nest, Twitter and countless other ambitious entrepreneurs disrupting businesses in almost every sector. And yet too often the companies they’re disrupting don’t get it. They think they can innovate through jargon: with talk of change agents and co-creation gurus, ideas portals and webinars, make-a-thons and hackfests, paradigm shifts and pilgrimages to Silicon Valley. It’s mostly pointless innovation theatre ― corporate nonsense that has little to do with delivering real change. But during this quest he’s also discovered some genuinely exciting and transformative approaches to innovation, often in places you might least expect.
His recent themes include:
• What a 20-country quest taught me about building an authentic culture of innovation
• What carbon accounting will mean for every business
• How emerging technologies will transform your industry
• What AI, data analytics and blockchain really mean for business leaders
• How to optimise customer engagement
• What talent wants in the new world of work
• Why purpose plus profit is the new business mantra
Packed full of tips for anyone looking for radical ways to adapt and thrive in the digital age, this carefully curated selection of stories will reveal ideas for creating genuine innovation from some of the world’s most inspiring leader
David brings his extensive experience as a newspaper and magazine editor, and television broadcaster, to communicating complex trends in clear, accessible ways that give audiences that “Aha” moment of understanding. His presentations are fast-paced, energetic, visually stimulating, packed with concrete examples, and infused with wit.
His recent audiences include leading global banks (Goldman Sachs, HSBC, Barclays); real-estate professionals (CBRE, Cushman & Wakefield); consulting firms (McKinsey, Tata, Capgemini); manufacturing and retail businesses (Castrol, Technogym, Panasonic); and governments. He also moderates for the World Economic Forum and the UK and French governments. Despite his heavy speaking schedule – recent engagements ranged from Brazil to Mumbai – David takes pride in custom-researching every presentation for that particular audience.
He writes a technology column in The Sunday Times, and contributes to publications including WIRED, GQ, The Times, The Guardian, Conde Nast Traveller, and Campaign.
David has taken 130 flights in the past year to investigate the companies and entrepreneurs changing our world, and has spent time with the founders of WhatsApp, LinkedIn, Google, Didi, Spotify, Xiaomi, Nest, Twitter and countless other ambitious startups from Tel Aviv to Shenzhen.
He’s an early-stage investor in 50 tech companies and founder of a non-profit taking amazing people for weekend adventures in the world’s most extraordinary locations. And he is still searching for the future.
—Lessons from my global quest for non-bullshit innovation
—How to create a culture of innovation
—How artificial intelligence and automation can boost your business
—The new rules of business
—How to profit from digital disruption
—What startups can teach your business
—How emerging technologies will impact financial services / recruitment / real estate / healthcare / agriculture / travel etc
—Why the world will never move this slowly again
—The future of the workplace
—Ten technologies shaping our future
—Ten lessons I’ve learned from the world’s fastest innovators
—New business models that are redefining industries
—The future of the customer experience
David also does a lot of moderating, chairing and interviewing at events, including moderating for the World Economic Forum, the UK Government’s G8 Innovation Conference, the Duke of York’s startup pitch events, and WIRED’s conferences.
“Your opening talk was just fabulous and perfectly set the stage for the next few days. I am forever in your debt for playing such an important role and being so giving of your time throughout the week. The feedback on your talk has been extremely positive.” – PopTech
“David was fantastic. The content was perfect. David stuck to the brief we gave him and had clearly prepared materials that were bespoke to Sky. The talk was fast paced, interesting, relevant and accessible. It set up the innovation session of our agenda really well and I was delighted with the result.” – Sky
“You were a stellar moderator – insightful and challenging to the speakers, witty and engaging for the audience, and very positive to work with.” – World Economic Forum