After gaining an MSc in Theoretical Physics and Maths from the University of Amsterdam and a PhD in Theoretical Physics from the University of Twente, Paul Iske began working for Shell Research, where he focussed on heterogeneous media.

Throughout Paul’s three-decade career, he has worked in high-profile positions at a number of well-respected companies here in the UK and the Netherlands. Since working for Shell, he has gone on to work for ABN AMRO as their Chief Dialogues Officer, focussing on open, radical and sustainable innovation, The Instituut Voor Briljante Mislukkingen as their Chief Failure Officer, and the International Institute of Serious Optimism as their Chief Optimism Officer.

His career has also seen him work as a Knowledge Coordinator for the Good Healthcare Innovation Practice, chair of the Personalised Healthcare Catalyst Foundation, and the Dutch-Norwegian Business Network. He is also the co-founder of the Business Network, the No-Business Academy, the Institute for Brilliant Failures, and KnocoM (Knowledge-Conscious Management).

Paul Iske – Chief Failure Officer, Institute for Brilliant Failures

Best known as Chief Failure Officer, Paul started up the Institute for Brilliant Failures in 2008 to highlight the importance of making mistakes and failing in innovation.

He has also worked for universities across the UK and the Netherlands, including at Stellenbosch University, teaching knowledge-driven innovation, the School of Business and Economics at Maastricht University, and as a visiting professor in intellectual capital at the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne.

Paul Iske – Campaigner and Ambassador

Paul is a highly respected individual in his field of study and has sat as chairman or advisor to several companies and boards, including Sevagram – an organisation for elderly care in the South of the Netherlands, the Peace Innovation Institute, the Industrial Advisory Board of the Delta Institute for Theoretical Physics, and the Dutch Heart Foundation. He is also a member of the Stanford Peace Innovation Lab, providing insights into global innovation and technology, and the New Club of Paris, helping to create awareness of the Knowledge Economy.

Paul Iske – Author

As of 2023, Paul has published two industry books. The first, Combinatoric Innovation: Navigating a Complex World (2017), looked at the importance of combining skills and networks of different groups of people and companies to improve success rates. His second, Institute of Brilliant Failures: Make Room to Experiment, Innovate, and Learn (2020), focusses on his ‘failure is good’ mindset and provides tips on how to develop a culture where failure is seen as a positive and how it can positively impact your company’s future.

Paul Iske Speaking Topics

– Smart Entrepreneurship

– Intelligent Innovation

– Knowledge Management

– Business

– Technology

– Creativity

– Sustainable Entrepreneurship

Paul Iske Keynote Speeches

Combinatoric Innovation: Environments for Shared Value Creation: Paul speaks about how organisations and individuals can explore innovative opportunities together, emphasising how failures can increase the possibility of success.

Institute of Brilliant Failures: Paul focusses on his business and why we need to accept our failures and turn them into learning opportunities.

Battle Against Organised Stupidity: Paul talks about Knowledge Management and how this can make individuals and wider organisations smarter and ultimately more successful.

He has spoken at inNOWvate, focussing on brilliant failures, and the Lean Startup Summit Europe looking at smart entrepreneurship and knowledge collaboration.

As well as his speaking engagements, Paul offers an independent consulting service, supporting businesses and individuals in developing and implementing knowledge-conscious management.

Call +44 1753 439 289 or email Great British Speakers now to book innovation expert and professor Paul Iske for your corporate event.

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