David Rowan is the leading authority on technology’s impact on business. With over three decades of experience as a technology journalist for major publications, and as an investor in over 60 tech-based start-ups, Rowan is unparalleled in his global reputation. Emerging technologies, business innovation and future opportunities are the topics at the forefront of Rowan’s keynote speeches, and as the Founding UK Editor in Chief of WIRED, areas Rowan is revered for his extensive contributions to. Hear from the expert your business needs, no matter the industry, to transform through tech, and the speaker who has already led Fortune 100 companies to future success.
A University of Cambridge graduate, Rowan began his career in technology journalism as the editor of The Guardian across a number of platforms, before beginning nearly a decade dedicated to his role of Founding Editor in Chief at WIRED UK. Working extensively with the digital innovators and companies that are shaping history, Rowan’s writing covered the founders of LinkedIn, Google and Twitter, with a focus on the technology of the future, at WIRED, The Times and GQ. In 2019 he published the Amazon Number One Bestseller ‘Non-Bullshit Innovation: Radical Ideas from the World’s Smartest Minds’ which set out proven strategies for future proofed success in the face of digital disruption and has been published in Japan, Korea, Ukraine and beyond.
An undeniable thought leader in his field, Rowan has since utilised his valuable insight to invest and advise over 60 startups, two of which have become billion-dollar ‘unicorn’ businesses, a testament to his dominance in the field. With access to a community of pioneering industry leaders, Rowan founded VOYAGERS in 2019, a collective of 250 people, spanning 30 countries that offer support, expertise and original ideas, through their magazine. He has also shared his knowledge as a technology columnist for GQ, Conde Nast Traveller, The Sunday Times and The Times. He is also the host of the Walks with Founders Podcast.
Experienced doesn’t come close to describing the impact Rowan has made as a speaker, with over 600 keynote talks to date, he is the only authority able to offer a comprehensive guide to the impacts of technology on sectors. Bespoke to each audience, Rowan’s talks are researched, compelling and interactive using a combination of mixed media to demonstrate his points. Alongside providing transformative talks for Coca-Cola, Facebook and HSBC, Rowan thrives as a moderator, recently working with international governments, TED, and the World Economic Forum. Much of Rowan’s work is focused on responding to downturns in the economic climate, post COVID-19 success and refreshing corporate culture, making him one of the most current speakers available on the circuit.
Deconstructing tech trends, David unpacks what major innovations will change businesses and consumers - such as artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles and quantum computing. He also educates audiences on how they can use technology-led innovations to build prosperity after the economic downfall of the Covid-19 pandemic. Booked by various sectors to explain how technology and innovation will impact a specific sector. When looking for a speaker who offers a truly unique perspective, through three decades of lived experience, on future technological impacts, look no further than David Rowan.
In March 2023 we sat down virtually with David Rowan and discussed how businesses can use data to optimise their performance. Watch our Exclusive Interview with David Rowan.
Books
Non-Bullshit Innovation: Radical Ideas from the World's Smartest Minds
How to hire David Rowan
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring David Rowan 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.
David's official speaking topics are listed below.
- 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
- Finding Opportunity Amid the Crisis
- Why Business Innovation Has Never Mattered More
- Ten Lessons from the Non-Bullshit Innovators
- What Technology Means for the Future of Your Industry
- The Future of the Workplace
- Why It's Time to Challenge the Tech Monopolies
- The Ten New Rules of Business
- Why This is AI's Netscape Moment - and What That Means for Your Business
- What Exponential Technologies Mean for the Next Five Years in Retail/Real Estate/Finance/Media/Healthcare Etc.
- How to Understand the Impact of ChatGPT & Other Generative AI Tools
- Where AI, Data Analytics & Blockchain Should Fit Into Your Strategy Planning
Official Feedback from In-Person & Virtual Events
"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
"I can't thank you enough for your truly inspirational talk. We've had wonderful feedback and it set the day up perfectly" - Warner Bros
"The team was blown away and they are a hard group to impress." - Google
"David was fantastic. The content was perfect. 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
"Thank you so much for an excellent session. You left the team in no doubt about the risks of disruptive factors and how they can impact any industry. Ours more than any is wide open here. Totally the right way to end the conference." - JP Morgan
"A stellar moderator – insightful and challenging to the speakers, witty and engaging for the audience, and very positive to work with." - World Economic Forum
"It was a fascinating presentation and we all enjoyed it" - Goldman Sachs
"David Rowan was awesome, lots of amazing feedback" - Salesforce
"Your contribution to 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
"A HUUUUGE thank you as always for being the one we trust to make any conversation bright, enlightening, energetic, thoughtful and insightful - always so, so grateful. Many people said how much they enjoyed the fireside chat" - Founder Forum NY
"It has gone down a storm. Most people tell me it was one of the most inspirational speeches they have ever heard." - Best Buy CEO
"Your opening talk was just fabulous. The feedback on your talk has been extremely positive" - PopTech
"Insightful, thought-provoking and energising" - Marubeni Corporation
"We had brilliant feedback" - Small Luxury Hotels
"We had nothing but praise for his forward-thinking piece, it was both informative and entertaining. I didn’t see a single attendee checking their smartphone during David’s talk, which is a testament to his skill as a speaker. I will definitely recommend him to our other offices around the world." - Terrapinn
- Graduate from the University of Cambridge
- 2008 - 2017 - Founding Editor in Chief of WIRED
- 2019 - Published his Amazon #1 Bestseller ‘Non-Bullshit Innovation: Radical Ideas from the World’s Smartest Minds’
- Invested in over 60 technology based start-ups
- Presented over 600 keynote speeches around the world