Prof. David Lewis

Prof. Lewis is Director of London Business School’s flagship Strategy Execution programme. David is an inspirational speaker and educator. His ability to combine the emotional and rational aspects of leadership and strategy implementation and present them in an accessible, compelling and applicable way, leaves his audiences motivated and equipped to lead with greater authenticity and impact”. Nandu Nandkishore, Former Nestlé S.A, Switzerland board member EVP & Head of Asia, Africa, Oceania.

“David brings a magical blend of gravitas, fun, insight and humanity to topics ranging from strategy execution, diversity and inclusion, innovation and motivation. His ability to hold a group’s attention, making you feel he is speaking to you individually, is world class”. James Purnell, Director of BBC Radio and Education and Former UK Government Minister

David has 35 years of experience in business, consulting and academia working in the IT, auto, pharmaceutical, financial, fast moving consumer goods, government, professional services and defence sectors. He is a consultant, researcher, sought-after speaker and author working with business leaders across Europe, the US, the Middle East, Africa, China and India. In 2019, David was cited on Thinkers 50 Radar of top global management thinkers.

David has held senior positions in business as a managing director and in academia as head of department. As an entrepreneur David has successfully grown and sold businesses in business consulting and software. David is known for designing and facilitating executive programmes that are experiential, memorable and impactful.

David’s research with co-author Alison Reynolds focuses on the relationship between cognitive diversity and psychological safety, the ability of teams and organisations to thrive and the implications for leadership in the face of new, uncertain and complex situations. The findings and applications are published in the Harvard Business Review articles, Teams Solve Problems Faster When They’re More Cognitively Diverse (2017), The Two Traits of the Best Problem-Solving Teams (2018) and Closing the Strategy Execution Gap (2017).

David is an active researcher and writer. His first book, ‘What Philosophy can teach you about being a better leader’ was published with Kogan Page in October 2019 and the second, ‘Mavericks: How Bold leadership Changes the World’, was published in March 2022. “Mavericks drive progress and the world needs many more - this book shows why.” Sir James Dyson.

David co-developed the Qi Index, a tool to help leaders understand and enhance the quality of interaction between people to better formulate and execute groundbreaking strategies.