Doug's Speaking Engagements
"With his hybrid background – American in Britain, serial investor, software entrepreneur, TV personality – Richard brings numerous perspectives to his craft. For his range, subtlety and almost tourettes-like honesty, he’s up there with the very best. One of the best business speakers in Britain.”
Matthew Rock, Real Business Magazine
Doug Richard is available for speaking engagements on a select basis. He is a business speaker, a motivational speaker, an inspirational speaker and when the evening is right, an after dinner speaker.
Doug prefers to let the people he has spoken for say it for him:
Our coaches were very interested to hear about your successes, including the highs and lows of your own entrepreneurial career. Thanks for coming to share your experience in a straightforward and inspirational way.
UK Sport - Elite Coaches Programme 2007/2008
We had a very high expectation of what Doug could deliver and he exceeded it. He was also a lovely person and fantastic and easy to work with. The feedback has been nothing but positive with people asking whether he will be coming out again.
Hill & Knowlton
Doug was great last week at the EGR Conference. His speech was both witty and informative and the delegates thoroughly enjoyed the Q&A afterwards - I only wish we had had more time.
Pageant Media - Dec 2009
His delivery was exceptional, his sense of humour superb and he made it look so totally effortless. To step up to the mark with less than 24 hours notice makes him a total hero.
Dawn McCormick, Aurora Events and Marketing for The Prince’s Trust
Doug did a fabulous job at the Conference Showcase. When putting together a panel that features Lord (Digby) Jones, it's always hard to find someone who can rise above his bombastic style and still get heard, but Doug did it and judging from the feedback forms, won on points!
Performing Artistes - May 2009
Doug provided an interesting and thoughtful perspective on business and the economy. The client was delighted and are keen to use him again.
Caspian Publishing on Doug who spoke at a number of HSBC events in 2008/09
As a person we like Doug's wry sense of humour and his way of looking at problems, and opportunities, in ways slightly different from the norm. We like his big smile, affable personality and the fact that we know he tries extra hard to deliver what we have promised.
Diana Boulter, MD at DBA Speakers
I just wanted to drop you a line and confirm how fabulous we thought Doug Richard was as a speaker at our conference. He followed the brief I had sent him and gave me total confidence that he would fulfil our requirements. The General Managers have without exception fed back that they thought he was the best speaker we have ever had and I would not hesitate to recommend him.
Bourne Leisure
Doug is one of the most insightful, challenging and provocative speakers I work with. He can look at a client’s business (and my own) and immediately point out weaknesses and opportunities that to him are so evident and to those within are missed. Whenever I speak to Doug I learn something that I can immediately apply.
Maria Franzoni, The London Speaker Bureau
Very entertaining, especially evident as the last speaker of the day and he had everyone listening and laughing throughout his session. Out of 29 evaluation forms he was rated either very good or excellent on both speaking ability and topic rating.
IOD North West (2007)
Doug was humorous and entertaining whilst being very informative and business focussed. He ruffled a few feathers but that’s exactly what I wanted! The business audience of Sheffield are a hard group to please, however Doug managed to read the crowd and tailor his speech accordingly, winning them over!
Kate Stephenson, SCCI
Doug went down a storm this morning - everyone really enjoyed his speech and he was a real asset to the event. And so nice! I was expecting to be a little bit afraid of him having seen him on Dragon's Den but he really was lovely!
Morrow Communications (on behalf of Invest NI)
Doug was fantastic and the sponsors and students were all delighted to meet him and hear his views etc. So please pass on my sincerest thanks for all his input. It was really great.
Enterprise Ireland (6 April 2006)
Just to let you know RBS were delighted with Doug’s presentation yesterday, they felt it hit the right note for the techies and non-techies and was thought provoking. They also thought he was a very nice person.
RBS (14 December 2005)
Just wanted to thank you once again for providing one of, and probably the most well received, after dinner talk that we have had at E100. Your combination of excellent humour, raconteur timing and business insight was a joy to listen to. If all else fails you will never starve being an after dinner speaker.
Peter Radcliffe
I just wanted to take the opportunity to thank Doug and yourself for supporting our Exec Briefing event. Doug was brilliant. He was so well received. His speech was engaging, relevant, substantial and humorous – he delivered our message perfectly. We are extremely grateful.
Louise Watkins | Programme Strategy Manager , Microsoft UK
If you are interested in booking Doug, call Nicola on 0207 099 7000. Or email at Nicola@schoolforstartups.co.uk.
Biography
Doug Richard is a successful entrepreneur with 20 years’ experience in the development and leadership of technology and software ventures, Doug featured in the first two TV series of Dragon’s Den. He is the Founder and Vice-Chairman of the Cambridge Angels and Chairman of the Conservative Party Small Business Task Force.
Between 1996 and 2000 Doug was President and CEO of Micrografx, a US publicly quoted software company. Prior to that he also founded and subsequently sold two other companies: Visual Software and ITAL Computers.
Doug holds a BA in Psychology from University of California at Berkeley and a Juris Doctor at the school of Law, University of California at Los Angeles. In 2006 Doug was an Honorary Recipient of The Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion. In 2007, Doug became a fellow of the RSA.
Doug has always been a champion for startups and small businesses. Even before founding School for Startups he actively mentored, coached and supported many entrepreneurs. In 2008, after teaching a one-day class in entrepreneurship, Doug decided to found an enterprise dedicated to helping people start better, more profitable, businesses. Since 2008 he has taught thousands in face to face and online classes across the UK.
His wry, candid, practical and ultimately upbeat courses in how to start a business quickly, with a minimum of outside investment and how to market and grow a business efficiently make him a sought after speaker.
As Doug says, “Entrepreneurship can be taught and must be learned.”
If you need help starting a new business, or making your current enterprise more profitable, Doug invites you to attend a School for Startups or S4Stv event. We look forward to helping you succeed.
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