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Ian Hawkins is an author and business journalist who has worked for CBS, Reuters, and BBC World.
Business journalism has taken Ian from pharmaceutical labs in Gothenburg to water purification in Nicaragua, filming from a helicopter over an active volcano and dodging muggers in Panama City.
He is currently Head of Content at CVTV and Swoop, and is also a News and Investigations Editor for Swoop, covering topics that affect the health of SMEs.
Ian has recently been named Netflix’s official Speaking and Storytelling Coach.
He is now a popular keynote speaker, event host, and moderator. He has hosted events across Europe, Australia, and the United States, and coached cabinet ministers, CEOs, and Olympians.

Ian Hawkins is the author of three successful books on public speaking and storytelling.
– Three Golden Rules of Professional Speakers: This looks at what ‘Three Golden Rules’ that you need to know to become a great speaker, based on years of working with the world’s best speakers.
– Storytelling Is Your Superpower: In this book, storytellers of all ages will learn what makes a great story, how to tell better stories, and how you can use stories to make the world a better place.
– Insider Secrets of Public Speaking: Ian and Nadine Dereza answer fifty of the most-often asked questions they encounter as speaker and presentation skills coaches.
Ian Hawkins also worked on flagship BBC comedy shows including The News Quiz, Loose Ends, and The Now Show.

Since 2011, Ian has been working as a speaker’s coach – The UK’s most trusted speaker coach (Square Mile) – a presenter, and writer. He has presented live and online events, and international conferences, moderated roundtable discussions, and hosted award ceremonies. He has worked across Europe, Australia, and the US.
On stage and in interviews, Ian projects a credible, helpful, and likeable presence as an expert on the craft of speaking, the psychology behind it, and the connection between communication and leadership.
As well as his keynote speaking duties, he is an in-demand moderator for conferences and events across the UK and Europe.
A Deep Understanding of Public Speaking: Ian says “Speaking is an act of leadership. When I look at a speaker, I know what they are like as a leader”. Ian can help uncover a deep understanding of the speaker’s psychological and emotional motivations.
Expertise in Leadership Communication: Ian has coached cabinet ministers, CEOs and Olympians, which enables him to offer individuals unique insights into how leaders communicate. Ian has the ability to see subtleties in speaking, and suggest powerful solutions to help anyone improve their speaking skills.
In-the-Moment Analysis: Ian can bring a fresh and unique perspective to analysing speeches and presentations as they happen, offering timely and relevant commentary.
Connect, Inspire, Transform: How to Be an Authentic Leader in the AI Era
In a world driven by technology advancements and artificial intelligence, the need for leaders to connect authentically with others has never been more relevant. Ian delivers a masterclass in the techniques used by the world’s most influential speakers. As well as sharing tips and tricks from politicians and entertainers, Ian explains the principles which founders, investors, and leaders can use to engage audiences and inspire transformation.
As Ian says: “Robots can do amazing things but they cannot lead. The challenge for leaders at a time of GenAI, deep fakes and growing mistrust is to embrace their authenticity and the power of stories to remain relevant in an ever-changing world..”
Attendees will:
– Participate in an engaging, interactive, high-energy hour
– Understand the fundamental principles of outstanding communication
– Learn techniques used by the world’s most influential storytellers
– Recognise how storytelling can overcome resistance to change
Everything You Know About Public Speaking is Wrong (Almost)
In a world driven by ideas and Ai, the need for leaders to connect authentically with others has never been more relevant. In this talk, Ian delivers a masterclass in what separates run-of-the-mill speakers from those whose words create change. His message is that the journey to becoming a better speaker makes you a better leader As well as sharing tips and tricks from politicians and comedians, he explores the principles which anyone can use to embrace nerves, engage audiences and inspire transformation.
Attendees will:
– Enjoy an engaging, interactive, high energy hour
– Transform how they think about speaking
– Learn highly effective techniques as used by the world’s highest-paid and most influential speakers
– Understand the link between speaking and leadership
As Ian says: “When I uncover the hidden rules of speaking, I can see audience members think, ‘I should try that!’ Becoming a better speaker is an essential part of becoming a better leader and the issues I raise are becoming more urgent at a time of Ai assistants, deep fakes and growing mistrust in leaders.”
The History of Technology
Ian looks at how today’s technology transformations have echoes in the past – from ship building in Turo England to the forerunners of computer programming in the looms of the 19th Century. Key takeaways:
– How technology impacts our lives
– How today’s trends will disrupt our society
– What innovators of the past share with innovators of today
– Innovation is not about having a technical brain, it’s about allowing people to see their ideas work in the real world
– Leadership and teamwork are two sides of the same coin – teams work best with a great leader, and without a team there’s nobody to lead.
– British Legal Tech Forum: keynote on GenAi
– iGrafx INNOVATE Conference: keynote on the history of technology
– Marketing, Online Retail, FMCG Conference: moderator
– London Tech Week Semi Impact Forum: moderator
– CIO & CISO Connect (Manchester, London, Berlin, Paris, Copenhagen, Amsterdam): moderator
– Networking Dinners and Lunches: clients in the finance, cybersecurity, and technology spaces

As well as his keynote speaking and moderating duties, Ian also provides a workshop day for up to 10 people. His workshop gives everyone opportunities to speak, to find their strengths, and to improve their skills over the session. Attendees will emerge engaged, enthused and read to grasp the next speaking opportunity.
Clients include Bain and Company, BBC, BNP Paribas, EY, IoD, ITV, the Ivy Club, M&S, Sibos, and Tesco.
Ian reminded us that great communication isn’t just informative – it’s transformative. His talk was part stand-up, part strategy – and all brilliance!”
Dr Elena Pawęta, Ideas + Leaders
Ian Hawkins is the ultimate communications and content professional. Incredibly interesting to have in the office, Ian was great at his craft, always producing the very best in copywriting. Ian would also be able to hone our digital and video content, from producing v/overs to writing compelling CTA and copy. I always knew that everything would be done to an exceptionally high standard and all of this writing was a joy to read. A multi-talented speaker and communications expert, who I highly recommend.
Marie Ellis, Head of Marketing at NEP UK & Ireland
Ian Hawkins proved to be a truly excellent conference host when working together on events. Positive, organised, eloquent, punctual, flexible and funny. An asset to any business event you may be organising and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend!
Will Robinson, Senior Director, WBR
I have had the pleasure of having Ian host and moderate many of my events globally over the last several years. The professionalism, humour, poise, and leadership he brings to each and every event is impressive and among the best in the industry. I know that events are in great hands when Ian is involved.
JD Miller, SVP Marketing & Communities, CDM Media
Ian compered a round-table evening dinner event for an executive audience this week and I was extremely impressed with the structure and approach he brought to the night. We had an eclectic mix of professionals from a range of verticals and we really needed everyone to contribute and get something of value from their attendance. Ian has a warm and affable personality that brought people out and encouraged participation from everyone in the room and allowed us, the sponsor for the night, to inject our strengths without it being a hard-sell pitch. If you ever need a ‘David Dimbleby’ for an event… Ian is your man!
Steven Walgate, Account Director, Verint UK&I
Ian Hawkins took on the role of Chairperson/moderator at an event I produced – eTail Connect. From the first conversation he was enthusiastic about the event and on hand to help whenever it was needed. At the event, Ian was an excellent host, ensuring the audience was engaged and interested in the sessions happening and actively encouraging interaction from the audience (which can be tough towards the end of a long day). Working with Ian made my job easier, he is organised, quick thinking, offered insightful thoughts and comments on presentations and session and made sure to keep things entertaining. It was a pleasure to work with you Ian!
Hannah Davis, Content Director, eTail UK and eTail Nordic
I have known Ian for many years and worked with Ian to present events and to create video content. Ian is great at both and thoroughly recommended.
Jason Kirk, CEO, Kirk & Kirk
I had the pleasure of meeting Ian Hawkins during a conference in London, Ian was hosting the event and we got chatting prior to me presenting on stage. After the event Ian reached out and generously offered to meet and share his knowledge, expertise and advice on areas I could improve on when speaking in public. Ian is a talented speaker and communications expert, who I would highly recommend and I look forward to working again in future.
Scott Pope, Senior Value Advisory Consultant, Nextthink