David Harkin

David is an entrepreneur, a proud TEDx speaker and author who dedicates his life to connecting people with their own ideas. He does this via his ideas company 7billionideas, which was founded in 2012. The 7billGROUP operates in both the education and corporate sectors. Their education business exists to create memorable moments in and outside of the classroom that lasts a lifetime. Their corporate arm exists to help businesses become relentless when it comes to innovation. Recently, he was a finalist at the UK Business Awards 2018 in the category of ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’.

David made the leap from the corporate world to become an entrepreneur after spending the best part of a decade working for the technology giant IBM. At the age of 24, he was responsible for a multi-million dollar business and at 26 became the youngest Band 9 in the world, which was recognition of his contribution and potential on an international level. He decided that he needed to go and live and breathe his passion of connecting people with their own ideas.

David is proudly the Entrepreneur in Residence at Surbiton High School in London and Arcadia Preparatory School in Dubai. He is also the Director of Entrepreneurship at Harrow Hong Kong and British School of Jakarta. He is also a Non-Executive Director to a number of start-up business, supporting entrepreneurs whenever he can.

In his spare time, he works for the charity ‘Action for Children’s an independent visitor, which is someone who supports children and young people with their parents or families. He is also an active member of a Premier league cricket club and a playing member of the MCC.