David Harkin is a devoted husband and father to three young boys (all under 8), and is passionate about equipping students with the skills and belief to change the world. As the CEO and Founder of 8billionideas, a global education company, David champions what he calls the Critical Curriculum: Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Career Education, Performance and Financial Literacy. Under his leadership, 8billionideas has made a remarkable impact, reaching over 500,000 students across 25 countries and sectors.
David began his career by earning a BA in History from the University of Sheffield. Before his groundbreaking work in education, David excelled in the tech industry with IBM, where he rapidly rose to lead a multi-million-dollar business at just 24 years old, becoming the youngest professional globally to receive the prestigious CEO Award.
A sought-after speaker, David has delivered two TEDx talks, "Can a 4 Year Old Change The world?" and "How Can We All Embrace a World Class Mentality". Throughout his talks, he inspires audiences on the benefits of marginal gains and how they can lead to successful change. In addition to his keynote speeches, he is the author of the critically acclaimed book 'The Ripple Effect: How Surprisingly Small Changes in Mindset Make Big Things Happen', endorsed by leading voices in business and education.
David's contributions to education have earned international acclaim. In 2022, he was ranked 8th globally by ISC Research for his influence in the sector. He was honoured with the EduFuturist Award and nominated as Creative Entrepreneur of the Year 2022 and Global Entrepreneur of the Year 2023 by the Great British Entrepreneur Awards. Most recently, in 2024, 8billionideas won the GESS Award for Startup Company of the Year. David is a sought-after speaker who empowers others' creativity through authentic stories, practical lessons and real-life experience.
Books
The Ripple Effect
David Harkin's official speaking topics are listed below:
My Hopes for Education
Within this talk, David explores the economic environment where so many people globally are dissatisfied with what they do. He believes a passion-led education from Early Years to adulthood will positively impact all future employment. The talk will include the importance of teaching entrepreneurship from early years students up and why encouraging creativity will leave a lasting impression on a child's life.
The 3 Es to Leadership (Emotion, Energy, Educate)
In today's dynamic world, exceptional leadership extends far beyond traditional managerial skills. Join David Harkin, CEO & Co-Founder of 8BillionIdeas, for an inspiring and transformative talk on The 3 E's of Leadership: Emotion, Energy, and Education. Leadership isn’t just about authority; it’s about understanding the impact of your words and actions, cultivating a motivated and thriving workplace, and committing to lifelong learning. In this engaging session, David unpacks how these three vital elements intertwine to shape modern leaders who strive for excellence both personally and professionally.
Legacy: How to 'Make Your Mark'
Have you ever stopped to think about the mark you’re making? Surprisingly, many people only consider this at the end of their careers or sometimes not at all. In this thought-provoking talk, David challenges us to reflect on our impact, encouraging us to give our all and leave our organisations better today than they were yesterday. He shares simple, actionable steps to make your mark and explains why building a meaningful legacy should be a daily priority.
Attitude: Developing a Positive Yet Relentless Mindset
For David, everything begins with attitude; it’s the foundation of success and happiness. Yet, surprisingly, few people consciously work on cultivating it. Despite its profound impact on our personal and professional lives, attitude rarely appears on training wish lists. In this insightful talk, David explores how embracing a positive yet relentless mindset can transform your approach to challenges and unlock your true potential.
Embracing a World-Class Mentality
In 2020, David took to the TEDx stage for the second time, exploring how anyone can adopt a world-class mentality. Drawing on over 20 years of fascination with this concept, he shares powerful lessons inspired by elite sports that can be applied across industries. This talk offers thought-provoking insights on what it truly means to strive for excellence in any field.
Adopting a Culture of Intrapreneurship
David believes countless opportunities for innovation in education are missed daily because the right frameworks to nurture and capture them are not yet in place. In this engaging talk, David demystifies the concept of innovation in education and shares practical tips to help schools cultivate a culture of intrapreneurship among their staff, empowering educators to think creatively and drive meaningful change.
Being Brilliantly Busy
This session is about exploring how to maximise your time and energy without burning out. This keynote will focus on practical strategies for becoming more time-efficient while being mindful of the words we use both to ourselves and others, so we can work smarter, communicate more effectively, and thrive in our busy lives.
The F Word
The F Word explores why motivation declines in our careers and how failure can be a turning point for growth. This keynote highlights how small actions, resilience, and a growth mindset can transform setbacks into opportunities. By embracing failure and shifting our perspective, we can regain motivation, overcome challenges, and create positive ripples in both our personal and professional lives.
The Business Body
The Business Body explores the vital connection between physical health and cognitive performance in the workplace. This keynote delves into how good health directly impacts mental clarity, decision-making, and productivity. It also emphasises the importance of aligning health goals with business goals, showing how taking care of your body can enhance performance, boost energy, and drive success in both personal and professional spheres.
The Resilience Bubble
This keynote explores how to create your own "resilience bubble" a protective mindset that helps you stay strong during tough times. It also provides strategies for pushing forward when you feel like you’re hitting a wall, helping you build endurance and maintain focus, even in the face of adversity.
Official Feedback from In-Person & Virtual Events
"David Harkin delivering on creating a Legacy at GEMS Wesgreen International School. Each and every one of our staff exploring how they will leave a positive legacy at our amazing school." - James, Principal/CEO, GEMS Education
"Listening to the talk about ‘The Three E’s of Leadership: Emotion, Energy and Education’ was extremely insightful, especially regarding the section on diffusion of energy. Something I have noticed, but never really given much thought to its impact." - Thomas, Education Leader
"David was energetic and delivered a powerful and impactful session! It was a thought-provoking and reflective session that will definitely remind me to create "ripples" this year!" - Lucille, Al Rayaheen
- 2024 - 8billionideas won the GESS Award for Startup Company of the Year
- 2023 - Nominated as Global Entrepreneur of the Year
- 2022 - Published 'The Ripple Effect'
- 2022 - Nominated as Creative Entrepreneur of the Year
- 2021 - Founded 8billionideas
- 2014 - Founded and became CEO of 7billionideas
- 2013 - CEO Outstanding Achievement Award
How to hire David Harkin
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring David Harkin for your next event, today. To get in touch, simply call an official booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
** We do NOT accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, birthday messages or any other non-commercial contact with the speakers or acts. Each speaker on the website may not have necessarily worked with Champions in the past but are known to perform such engagements within the industry.
