Ideas that move people. Conversations that create change.
Keynotes, conference hosting, panel facilitation and leadership workshops.
A speaker organisers can rely on
Next on stage: TEDx Abuja, September 2026. David’s second TEDx, on mentorship, self-belief and the ceilings people set for themselves.
David speaks at corporate leadership events, conferences, universities and foundations. He hosts and facilitates as often as he delivers keynotes. There is no fixed script: the session is built for the room and for what the organiser needs out of it.
- Keynote speaking, including TEDx
- Conference hosting
- Panel facilitation and fireside conversations
- Leadership workshops
- Speech training and presentation coaching
David is an accomplished toastmaster, and much of his most rewarding work is with delegates who dread standing up. He works with them on the fear itself, then on the craft, so that they walk into the room with something to say and the confidence to say it.
See David speak
The quickest way to work out whether he is right for your event or your leadership team.
TEDxSquareMile · Do we have the power to make a difference?
For the people in your organisation who dread presenting
Most professionals are never taught how to speak in public. They are handed a deck and told to present to the board. David works with individuals and small groups on both halves of the problem: the nerves, and the technique.
- Managing the fear, rather than pretending it is not there
- Structuring a talk so an audience can follow it
- Voice, pace, presence and handling questions
- Rehearsal against the real thing, not a hypothetical
David Villa-Clarke was stand out for me. Amazing energy, and well worth booking if you have an event coming up.
My highlight has to be David Villa-Clarke BEM, MBA. His presentation was just fantastic, delivered with passion and authenticity, and really made me think about the future of Mint FS.
What David speaks about
Each one is adapted to the audience and the format.
What mentoring changes, why most programmes fail, and how to build one that works. Drawn from David’s book, out with Bristol University Press in April 2027.
The sponsorship, access and relationships behind every career that appears self-made.
The limits people set for themselves, and how those ceilings get dismantled.
How credibility is earned, and how expertise converts into influence.
What presence actually consists of, and how it is practised.
Designing access rather than waiting for it.
What changing work means for leadership, development and opportunity.
A practical session for people who have to present and would rather not. Delivered as a workshop rather than a talk.
Your presentation was my favourite of them all. You have such stage presence and charisma, I didn’t want your slot to end. Thank you for taking the time to engage so thoughtfully with the team.
Enthusiastic, engaging, well-prepared and incredibly motivational. The students had nothing but good things to say about David’s talk. We would love to have David back for future events.
Enquiring about an event?
Send the date, the audience and the format, along with what you want people to leave with, and we will come back with availability.