David Rowan Profile Picture

Keynote SpeakerDavid Rowan

The leading authority on technology's impact on business

David Rowan is today’s leading speaker on how emerging technologies will impact business — and how leaders should prepare now. He’s given more than 700 keynotes around the world, and has moderated events for the World Economic Forum, WIRED, the biggest global companies, and governments. As founding Editor-in-Chief of WIRED... Read more

Biography

David Rowan is today’s leading speaker on how emerging technologies will impact business — and how leaders should prepare now. He’s given more than 700 keynotes around the world, and has moderated events for the World Economic Forum, WIRED, the biggest global companies, and governments. As founding Editor-in-Chief of WIRED magazine in the UK, David came to know the founders of WhatsApp, LinkedIn, Google, Didi, Spotify, Twitter and countless other ambitious startups from Tel Aviv to Shenzhen. His best-selling book, “Non-Bullshit Innovation: 17 Proven Ways To Transform How You Work” (Penguin), is a 20-country quest to identify genuine innovation in the face of technology-led disruption. The book sets out 17 proven strategies for future-proofing a successful business — from “Turn products into services” to “Build an ecosystem”.

David spends his time at tech’s cutting edge: visiting university research labs and startup clusters to meet the people building the future. He’s invested in more than 180 early-stage tech companies, including 8 that became billion-dollar “unicorns”, and runs venture funds that invest in health-tech and climate-tech. Currently he’s working on a book on how business leaders are using culture to attract and motivate exceptional talent, at a time when AI risks commodifying entire sectors.

David has been a technology columnist for The Times, GQ, Condé Nast Traveller and The Sunday Times, and at WIRED he built a conference and a consulting business. And he is still searching for the future.

David will customise a talk for your meeting, or will moderate your event in his accessible journalistic style. He deconstructs tech trends in real time, unpacking how major innovations like artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and more, are changing businesses and consumers. He delivers fascinating and knowledgeable presentations full of insight into the future of technology together with lively examples and engaging clips which reveal that in some cases the future is already here. He’s typically asked to speak about how innovation and technology are likely to impact a particular sector (from manufacturing to motoring), and what incumbent companies can do to protect themselves. He customises every talk, and in recent months has addressed audiences in finance, fashion, utilities, television, insurance, shipping, travel, real estate and business software. He also speaks a lot about changing business models, and how companies can develop a culture of innovation.

"David was exceptional. H e completely understood the needs of this audience — the need to create excitement in uncertainty, the need for practical advice, and the need to be informed and inspired by a real and enticing outlook on innovation. He was incredibly warm, humble and a delight to meet in person." Tech Show London
"A talk that absolutely hit the mark with our people. We have received terrific feedback. I was honestly amazed at how you were able to pick up important aspects of Gallagher and weave that into your presentation. Wonderful job!" AJ Gallagher
"The team was blown away and they are a hard group to impress." Google
"I wanted to thank you for your time to moderate the G8 Innovation Conference. You set the tone for the day perfectly, engaging the audience and steering the presenters through a very full agenda. The feedback from the day has been overwhelmingly positive, which is largely due to your dynamism, good humour and professionalism." UK Prime Minister David Cameron, G8 Innovation Conference
"A stellar moderator – insightful and challenging to the speakers, witty and engaging for the audience, and very positive to work with." World Economic Forum
"Your contribution at the event was terrific. The content was highly relevant & extremely interesting. We also appreciated that you took on board the detail discussed on the briefing call ahead of the event. Your talk received the highest audience review on the feedback application. The level of your professionalism is unrivalled." Mercer, Hong Kong
"I wanted to thank you for your time to moderate the G8 Innovation Conference. You set the tone for the day perfectly, engaging the audience and steering the presenters through a very full agenda. The feedback from the day has been overwhelmingly positive, which is largely due to your dynamism, good humour and professionalism." Redrow

Popular Talks by David Rowan

  • How to think about human talent in the AI era

  • How to understand the impact of generative AI
  • What exponential technologies mean for the next five years in your industry
  • What a 20-country quest taught me about building an authentic culture of innovation
  • What AI agents tell us about the future of the workplace
  • Why culture is the true business differentiator in a world of exponential tech
  • What talent wants in the new world of work

How to book David Rowan as a keynote speaker

How do I book David Rowan for a keynote speech?

You can book David Rowan 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.

What are David Rowan's speaking fees?

David Rowan'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.

What topics does David Rowan speak about?

David Rowan speaks on Artificial Intelligence, Authors, Big Data, Cyber Security, Digital. 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.

Is David Rowan available for international events?

London Speaker Bureau can book David Rowan 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.

Does David Rowan deliver virtual or online keynotes?

Virtual and hybrid keynotes are now a standard part of the speaking industry. Please contact London Speaker Bureau to confirm whether David Rowan is available to deliver a virtual session for your event and on which platform (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, a bespoke studio or your own).

How long is a typical keynote by David Rowan?

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.

Can David Rowan tailor the keynote to our industry and audience?

London Speaker Bureau will brief David Rowan 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.

What languages does David Rowan present in?

David Rowan delivers keynotes in English. If you require simultaneous interpretation or a multilingual format, please mention this in your enquiry and London Speaker Bureau will arrange it for you.

What makes David Rowan a strong fit as a keynote speaker?

David Rowan's areas of expertise include Artificial Intelligence, Authors, Big Data, Cyber Security, Digital. 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.

What kind of events can David Rowan speak at?

David Rowan can be booked through London Speaker Bureau for corporate conferences, leadership events, internal team meetings, association gatherings and private client engagements where expertise in Artificial Intelligence, Authors, Big Data, Cyber Security, Digital 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.

Does David Rowan offer workshops, panels or fireside chats in addition to keynotes?

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 Rowan is able to offer alongside or instead of a keynote.

How far in advance should we book David Rowan?

We generally recommend enquiring at least three to twelve months in advance to secure your preferred date with David Rowan, 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.