Four of the top five biggest CEO challenges relate to People. As one of the world’s leading HR practitioners, David Fairhurst offers a unique and thought-provoking perspective on how organizations can rise to meet these challenges. In his previous role as a Global Chief People Officer, David is credited as... Read more
Four of the top five biggest CEO challenges relate to People. As one of the world’s leading HR practitioners, David Fairhurst offers a unique and thought-provoking perspective on how organizations can rise to meet these challenges.
In his previous role as a Global Chief People Officer, David is credited as one of the key leaders in delivering a historic business turnaround. In doing so, he is one of very few HR leaders to have had the opportunity to deliver a truly global Cultural Transformation program at pace and at scale.
A proven ‘disrupter’, David Fairhurst combines hard data and personal intuition to challenge established thinking and ways of working.
In 2014, the Financial Times reported his prediction that, within a decade, major global economies would be facing labor shortages on a scale which would impact business growth – a “workforce cliff”. This insight gave progressive employers the time to prepare for what became a reality. He has also identified new and innovative solutions to drive greater people value, including challenging the traditional approaches to Performance and Talent Management.
Prior to founding OrgShakers – a global HR consultancy – David was Global Chief People Officer for McDonald’s, Group Manager for Organization Development at H J Heinz; European Director, Recruitment and Leadership Planning at SmithKline Beecham/Glaxo SmithKline; and Corporate HR Director at the retailer Tesco where he also led the Global Talent function. For four consecutive years David was voted ‘Most Influential Practitioner’ by HR Magazine, receiving their lifetime achievement award in 2012. He was also the first HR professional to be named ‘Business Communicator of the Year’ by the Institute of Internal Communications – a title previously awarded to leading business figures such as Body Shop founder Anita Roddick, and Virgin founder Richard Branson.
In 2011, David was appointed by the UK government to act as a Commissioner for the Commission for Employment and Skills – a role he held until the change of government in May 2015. Previously he had served as a Fellow of the Sunningdale Institute; a virtual academy of leading academics and thought leaders created to advise and advance public service. He has also advised officials and politicians at both the European Commission and the European Parliament.
David earned his Bachelor’s Degree at Lancaster University and his Master’s Degree at Manchester Metropolitan University Business School which has recognized his ongoing contribution as a Visiting Professor with an Honorary Doctorate in Business Administration. He also holds an Honorary Doctorate in Business Administration from Middlesex University.
David is a Chartered Companion of the UK’s Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development – their highest honour – where he served for four years as Vice President of Learning, Training and Development. He is also a Fellow of the RSA (Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce). In the USA he graduated as a Fellow of the prestigious CEO Perspectives program.
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You can book David Fairhurst through London Speaker Bureau by submitting the enquiry form on this page or calling our team. One of our consultants will respond promptly with David's current availability, speaking fees and any specific requirements for your event.
David Fairhurst's speaking fees depend on the event format (in-person or virtual), the location, the length of the engagement and the level of customisation required. Please contact London Speaker Bureau for an up-to-date fee quote for David tailored to your event.
David Fairhurst speaks on Business & Management, HR, Learning, Organisation, Strategy. Talks can be shaped around your audience, industry and strategic objectives - share your event brief with London Speaker Bureau and we will work with David to align the content with your delegates and goals.
London Speaker Bureau can book David Fairhurst for events worldwide, subject to David's schedule. Please send us your event date, location and format and we will confirm availability and handle travel and logistics on your behalf.
Virtual and hybrid keynotes are now a standard part of the speaking industry. Please contact London Speaker Bureau to confirm whether David Fairhurst is available to deliver a virtual session for your event and on which platform (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, a bespoke studio or your own).
Most keynote speeches run between 45 and 60 minutes, often followed by a 15-30 minute Q&A. Other formats - shorter conference slots, panel appearances or longer workshop sessions - may also be possible. Share your agenda with London Speaker Bureau and we will confirm what David can accommodate.
London Speaker Bureau will brief David Fairhurst on your audience profile, sector and objectives so the keynote can be shaped around your event. The level of customisation possible depends on the speaker and the lead time - contact us with your brief and we will confirm what David can offer.
David Fairhurst delivers keynotes in English. This profile may not list every language available; ask London Speaker Bureau to confirm. If you require simultaneous interpretation or a multilingual format, please mention this in your enquiry and London Speaker Bureau will arrange it for you.
David Fairhurst's areas of expertise include Business & Management, HR, Learning, Organisation, Strategy. To get a clear sense of David's style, credentials and how they engage an audience, please review the biography, popular talks and any videos or testimonials shown on this page, or request a detailed speaker brief from London Speaker Bureau.
David Fairhurst can be booked through London Speaker Bureau for corporate conferences, leadership events, internal team meetings, association gatherings and private client engagements where expertise in Business & Management, HR, Learning, Organisation, Strategy is relevant. Details of David's background and previous engagements are included in the biography above; contact us if you would like a more detailed list of past clients or case studies.
Beyond keynote speeches, many of the speakers on our roster also take part in workshops, executive masterclasses, panel discussions and fireside chats. Contact London Speaker Bureau with your preferred format and we will confirm what David Fairhurst is able to offer alongside or instead of a keynote.
We generally recommend enquiring at least three to twelve months in advance to secure your preferred date with David Fairhurst, particularly during peak conference seasons. Where possible we also accommodate shorter lead times - please contact London Speaker Bureau to check David's current availability for your dates.