Speaker
I often give talks about my specialist subjects. These can be anything from small interactive workshops to keynote lectures in front of audiences of several hundred. Most of my talks fall under one of three categories:
Creativity and Innovation
I have had a long-standing interest in creativity in the workplace. This topic has now become so fashionable that cynics might view it as just a passing fad. However, beneath the hype there are some underlying principles that will stand the test of time.
Most people want to work in an environment where they can share ideas and solve problems. I focus on how to make the culture of the workplace more stimulating, inclusive and (dare I say it) fun. I also believe that the most innovative cultures are ones that keep jargon to a minimum, and have often spoken on the link between innovation and plain English.
This was a breath of fresh air, the best presentation I've seen on this subject
Delegate, Public Sector Leaders Scheme, Nov 2003Maths, Puzzles and the Real World
Maths may seem poles apart from creativity (after all, who wants to go to a MATHS talk?) yet there are some surprising ways in which the two subjects overlap, particularly in the type of lateral thinking needed to tackle many puzzles and everyday problems. I have given talks to all age groups on all sorts of maths-related topics, from music to magic tricks, and from sport to spin-doctoring.
I've spoken at some great venues, too. One of my favourites is the historic Royal Institution in London where I have given numerous children's talks, often to packed houses. Other great venues have included the hall at King's College Cambridge, and Pentonville Prison where I addressed a group of prisoners (a captive audience, you might say) on probability and the mathematics of gambling - a topic in which they took a particularly keen interest.
The presentation was brilliant - it was packed with useful information, and really entertaining too
Liverpool Maths Teachers Conference, 2006Your opening address was wonderful - everyone was raving about it
Scottish Maths Council Annual Conference, 2004Click on the icon below to bring up the Royal Institution web site in a new window.
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I've had the good fortune to be a speaker at numerous PwC cricket events, sharing the stage with the likes of Steve Waugh, Darren Gough, Alec Stewart, Allan Donald and Phil Tufnell (before he became King of the Jungle). I've also given talks on the story behind the cricket ratings to the ICC and The Cricket Society.
Just occasionally I give talks to explain the game itself to audiences of newcomers.
Your talks are always thought-provoking and entertaining
Host, PwC cricket event, Apr 2003All Rights Reserved