David Harkin

CEO, 8billionideas

David Harkin is the CEO of the award-winning education company 8billionideas which exists to give every student the skills and belief to change the world. Since its formation, 8billionideas has worked with over 100,000 students around the world in 500 schools. It’s been recognised by TES and COBIS for its work and has strategic partnerships in every part of the sector - including Multi-Academy Trusts, Young Offenders Units, International and Independent Schools. David is also proudly a 2x TED speaker and author, and also holds the post of Director of Entrepreneurship in a number of independent schools around the world including Surbiton High School in London, Harrow Hong Kong and Bangkok and British School Jakarta. Finally, he has founded a movement known as #UnlockingEducation and recently held two fascinating webinar discussions hosted by the broadcasting legend, Alastair Stewart. Each panel was joined by former Ministers of Education, senior individuals in education and high profile people from industry. At his core, David is a passionate educationalist who is extremely excited about the window of opportunity of change ahead of us.

GESS Talks Arena

14 November 2021 | 15:00 - 15:20 | English | 2034 - My Hopes for Education by the Time My Son is 18

David Harkin is the CEO of the award-winning education company, 8billionideas, which exists to give every student the skills and belief to change the world. Since its formation, 8billionideas has worked with over 100,000 students around the world in 500 schools. 8billionideas has strategic partnerships in every part of the sector - including Multi-Academy Trusts, Young Offender Units, International and Independent schools. In David's talk he will outline, as a council member of FED (Foundation of Educational Development) and a Fellow of High Performance Learning, his vision for education by the time his son is 18. He will draw on his experience in the corporate space, an intrepreneur, an entrepreneur, an employer and indeed a passionate educationalist. His insights will be thought-provoking and will be fascinating for all to listen to.

Future Leaders

15 November 2021 | 14:30 - 15:15 | English | How We Can All Embrace a World-Class Mentality

The overall focus is the evolution of the high performing board and already in discussion is diversity, financial scrutiny and risk, and board effectiveness. - Re-visit their trust’s strategic focus and how effectively it sets out its plans to shape the education of the future workforce (pandemic has impacted the future employment outlook for children) An encouragement to really explore the ‘skills’ plans within trusts, but from a positive point of view. Our schools are the engines of our future economy, so we’ve got to take this even more seriously. - Recognise key characteristics of a strategic entrepreneurial ethos, as demonstrated by educational settings across the world A world-class mentality also includes the desire to relentlessly innovate. Explore these characteristics and that schools have these skills in abundance. - Recognise the innovative working and educational practices that have been learnt as a direct result of the pandemic and capture what must continue.

GESS Talks Arena

15 November 2021 | 15:30 - 16:30 | English | The Future of Education

During this panel session four experienced panellists will put forward their unique vision for the future of education.

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David Harkin

CEO, 8billionideas

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