About · David McQueen

I help leaders think clearly
when the stakes are high
and the decision matters.

David McQueen
David McQueen

An independent mind
for consequential
decisions.

David McQueen works with CEOs and founder-owners on the decisions that shape the future of their organisations. His work spans advisory, speaking, and leadership development, all grounded in a body of thinking focused on how leaders decide well when the stakes are high.

He is the author of The BRAVE Leader, a study of leadership in conditions of uncertainty: the characteristics that allow leaders to navigate complexity with clarity and the habits that quietly undermine them.

His advisory work focuses on three areas where the quality of thinking and judgement has an outsized impact on what happens next: scaling, capital, and succession. His speaking reaches senior leadership audiences across sectors and geographies through keynotes and masterclasses.

He has worked with organisations across financial services, technology, consumer, professional services, and the third sector, at every stage from early-scale to pre-exit.

Clients

The rooms
I've been in.

Boards, executive teams and senior leaders across financial services, media, technology, consumer brands and the third sector.

  • BBC
  • Google
  • HSBC
  • Linklaters
  • Mercedes
  • Channel 4
  • Meta
  • Lloyds Bank
  • Bloomberg
  • BMW
  • Sky
  • Shopify
  • BNP Paribas
  • Accenture
  • Soho House
  • Octopus Energy
  • Aviva
  • Société Générale
  • Fidelity
  • Tate & Lyle
  • Virgin StartUp
  • Northern Trust
  • Crédit Agricole
  • Investec
  • Barclaycard
  • Barnardo's
  • RBS
  • Tokio Marine Kiln
  • Octavia Housing
  • Oliver
The Work

Advisory. Speaking.
Events. Writing.

Advisory For CEOs and founder-owners navigating scaling, capital, and succession decisions. Individual advisory, group advisory, and structured intensives. →
Speaking Keynotes and masterclasses for senior leadership audiences across sectors and geographies. →
Events Roundtables, retreats, and masterminds for senior leaders. Invitation-only. Curated for peer quality and candour. →
The Quiet Work Essays and thinking on leadership, decisions, wealth, power, responsibility, and legacy. Published on Substack. Occasional. Worth the wait. →
A game-changer for me in the past year.
"He has been instrumental in helping me overcome self-limiting beliefs, navigate challenges, and make big career and life decisions that have set me up for a truly remarkable career. I highly recommend working with him."
Victoria Toney-Robinson Sr. Program Manager, Google · Co-Chair, BGN Global

Start a conversation.

If you are navigating a decision that matters: in your organisation, your leadership, or your own thinking, that is where this work begins.

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