Keynotes & Masterclasses
These talks don’t motivate. They recalibrate how leaders think and act.
Speaking for executive teams and organisations operating under pressure — where decisions have second-order consequences and the cost of drift is measurable.
UK & global • In-person + virtual • By enquiry
What audiences leave with
- Sharper decisions under pressure
- Clear language for what’s really happening
- Practical frameworks leaders can use immediately
- A shared operating mindset (not just inspiration)
This is not theatre. It’s a strategic intervention for leadership teams.
Who this is for
- Senior leadership teams, offsites, and board adjacencies
- Organisations navigating change, growth, scrutiny, or restructure
- Founder/CEO communities and high-trust leadership rooms
- Teams who want action, not applause
Who this is not for
- Generic motivation with no follow-through
- Low-context “one-size-fits-all” inspiration
- Events with no intention to act afterwards
- Audiences looking for comfort rather than clarity
In complex environments, bad thinking is expensive.
Leadership failure rarely comes from lack of effort. It comes from misdiagnosing the problem, confusing activity with progress, and avoiding the real trade-offs.
My work is designed to interrupt that pattern — calmly, credibly, and without theatrics — so leaders can make better decisions on Monday morning, not just feel inspired on Friday afternoon.
How I work
Speaking as a strategic intervention.
Every keynote or masterclass is built around your context — the pressures leaders are carrying, the decisions they’re avoiding, and the behaviours that are quietly shaping performance.
- Pre-event alignment on audience + stakes
- Clear outcomes (what must shift in the room)
- Stories that land because they’re true
- Frameworks that translate into action
- Optional post-session next steps
- Virtual or in-person delivery
Signature sessions
Three focus areas. Each session is customised to your context and the leadership reality in the room.
Inclusive Leadership
How leaders create cultures where performance and belonging rise together — without lowering the bar.
What shifts in the room
- Leaders learn to lead inclusion as a system, not a slogan
- Psychological safety becomes practical, not theoretical
- Decision-making becomes clearer under pressure and scrutiny
What they leave with
- A clear leadership model for inclusive performance
- Tools for courageous conversations and ethical trade-offs
- Actions leaders can implement immediately
Business Storytelling
How organisations build narratives that align people, accelerate change, and strengthen culture.
What shifts in the room
- Leaders understand how stories shape trust and momentum
- Communication becomes intentional and persuasive
- Teams learn to tell the truth with clarity and care
What they leave with
- A practical framework for organisational narrative
- Tools to craft stories that land across stakeholders
- A clearer “why” that becomes operational
Workplace Resilience
Resilience as a collective system — not individual endurance — designed to adapt and strengthen under pressure.
What shifts in the room
- Teams move from reactive to proactive resilience
- Leaders learn to reduce drag and restore clarity
- Resilience becomes designed into rhythm and culture
What they leave with
- Practical resilience frameworks for teams
- Tools to navigate uncertainty with confidence
- A stronger shared language for pressure
Formats
Choose the format based on what you want to shift — mindset, behaviour, decision quality, or team alignment.
Keynotes
High-impact, thought-provoking sessions designed to create a shared shift in how leaders think.
Masterclasses
Interactive, practical sessions with deeper application, tools, and reflection — ideal for leadership groups.
After the talk
A talk is rarely the end of the work.
For some organisations, the keynote is the spark. For others, it becomes the entry point to deeper work: diagnostics, leadership development, or executive support.
- Diagnostics: Executive Edge for leaders who want clarity before commitment
- Leadership work: masterclasses or offsites to embed the shift
- Ongoing support: coaching/advisory for senior leaders carrying complexity
What clients say
“David presented a brilliant high-energy session to our executive team. He focused on mindset, high performance and facing difficult conversations. Our leaders were challenged to think differently.”
— Director, Lloyds Bank“What he does is truly unique… landing his points by literally telling great stories. Witty, authentic, charismatic — and tailored to our context.”
— Director, Avios“Resilience was made practical. The biggest takeaway: resilience isn’t just individual strength — it’s a collective effort.”
— Managing Director, JP Morgan“A rare combination of sharp insight and warmth. The session created real conversations afterwards — not just notes.”
— Senior LeaderSelected clients
BMW, Mercedes Benz, JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley, Northern Trust, Shell, BP, HSBC, Lloyds Bank, Getty Images, Shopify, Meta, Google, Cisco, Investec, Barclaycard, Vodafone, Avios, Octopus Energy DE, Discovery, Société Générale, Arriva, Barnardo’s, Fidelity, Pure Storage, Virgin Startups, and Soho House.
FAQs
Short answers to the questions that matter when the room is senior and the stakes are real.
Executive offsites, leadership summits, conferences, staff town halls, retreats, and closed-room sessions for senior teams. If there’s a leadership problem with real consequences, the format can be designed to fit.
Yes. Virtual keynotes and masterclasses work particularly well for distributed teams — especially when we align on outcomes and audience dynamics in advance.
Fees depend on format, length, tailoring, and travel. Engagements are a five-figure investment and paid in advance. Share your context and I’ll recommend the simplest option.
Absolutely. Tailoring is the default. The goal is not a generic talk — it’s a session that lands because it’s true in your environment.
If you’re responsible for the room, let’s make the session worth it.
Share the audience, context, and what you want to shift. I’ll propose the best format and a clear outcome.
Prefer email? hello@davidmcqueen.co.uk
Quick booking checklist
- Audience size + seniority
- Event type (keynote, masterclass, offsite)
- Date + location (or virtual)
- What must shift in the room
The clearer the stakes, the sharper the session.