Ian Hawkins is an author and business journalist whose work has appeared on CBS, Reuters and BBC World. A Fellow of the Royal Society for Arts, Manufactures and Commerce and a Professional Member of the Public Speaking Association, Ian has hosted and spoken at events in Europe, the USA and Australia, and coached Olympians, cabinet ministers, entertainers and CEOs.
Born with a debliitating heart condition, Ian spent much of his childhood in hospital. On leaving, he declared that he would refuse to live a boring life. This is a promise he has kept.
On leaving university, Ian wrote for BBC comedy shows including The News Quiz and Loose Ends. On the stand up circuit, he honed his presentation skills in front of live audiences in the UK and NYC and co-authored an acclaimed book on public speaking.
Ian’s abilities as a storyteller led to him taking on senior editorial roles in content creation and business journalism, reporting from the ground on subjects as diverse as pharma labs in Gothenburg to water purification in Nicaragua, whilst dodging muggers in Panama City and filming from a helicopter over an active volcano.
In the COVID pandemic, Ian started a business from his hospital bed which kept him busy throughout and beyond convalescence.
In keynotes, workshops and after dinner, Ian explains why stories are the ‘software’ that our brains run on and how a good story can be a catalyst for incredible change. Ian draws on stories from brands, his experience and films suggested by the audience. Audiences will be engaged, moved and motivated - and given powerful tools to create lasting change in their own lives, businesses and relationships. Expect insight, inspiration and interaction - wrapped up in Ian's trademark humour.
