If change is not optional, then neither is foresight.
Brad Howarth is a respected researcher, writer, and speaker with more than 30 years’ experience exploring the impact of technology, change, and innovation on business and society. His work spans journalism, research, public speaking, executive facilitation, and advisory work, helping organisations navigate complexity and prepare for the future with clarity and confidence. Brad’s ability to translate complex themes into accessible, actionable insight makes him a trusted advisor to leaders navigating fast-paced change.
As a business and technology journalist, Brad has contributed to leading publications including The Australian, BRW, AFR Boss, GQ Australia and Rolling Stone Australia, as well as international outlets. He is the author of four books, including Managing for Change and Innovation is for Everyone, co-authored with Peter Fritz AM.
As a Keynote Speaker, Brad works with clients to understand their specific objectives and applies his research skills to surfacing insights that are relevant and engaging for audiences. Presentations are bespoke for each client and designed to challenge audiences to consider new perspectives.
Brad is a highly regarded MC and Event Facilitator. He brings a calm, intelligent presence to every event, using his skills in research and storytelling to craft insightful questions that bring clarity to complex issues. His extensive preparation makes Brad particularly effective in panel and in-conversation formats where domain expertise and narrative flow are critical. He has hosted and facilitated events for organisations such as the Australian Food & Grocery Council, the Committee for Melbourne, AHRI, and WorkSafe Tasmania.
Brad also works with clients to improve their storytelling capabilities through workshops and one-on-one coaching sessions that build the persuasive skills of executives at all levels. Workshop sessions teach attendees how to use storytelling as a tool for driving commercial outcomes in scenarios such as public speaking, group presentations, and thought leadership content development. Brad’s clients include Village Roadshow Group and numerous leading Australian and global technology companies.
Whether on stage, on screen, or in print, Brad Howarth helps organisations and audiences make sense of what’s next, equipping them with the foresight, tools and perspective to respond with purpose.
Talking Points
Better Choices = Better Futures: Adaptive Management for Uncertain Times
Change is unavoidable, yet many organisations find themselves responding too late, with only poor options left on the table. In this keynote, Brad Howarth draws on three decades of research, reporting and direct engagement with organisations to show how anyone can expand the number of good choices available to them. Every keynote is tailored through Brad’s in-depth research into the client’s industry or skill set, drawing on his natural curiosity to ask the questions that uncover better opportunities and practical strategies for achieving them,Better Choices = Better Futures: Adaptive Management for Uncertain Times
Key Takeaways:
• Why organisations run out of good choices, and how to avoid doing the same.
• Practical ways to anticipate and plan for change before it arrives.
• How clear communication creates resilience and alignment through uncertainty.
Business Transformation in the Age of Technology
Technology is the engine of almost every transformation underway in business today.Business Transformation in the Age of Technology
From AI to robotics, Brad Howarth investigates how these forces are reshaping industries and roles, then tailors his presentations to the specific realities of the audience. His curiosity-driven approach ensures he goes beyond broad trends to uncover the shifts most relevant to clients’ teams, customers, and business models, providing clear strategies to ensure transformation delivers meaningful outcomes.
Key Takeaways:
• The technologies driving transformation and their impact on your sector or profession.
• How to align transformation initiatives with organisational purpose and culture.
• Lessons from organisations that got transformation wrong, and how to avoid their mistakes.
Disruption, Innovation, and Emerging Technologies: Future-Proofing Your Organisation
For 30 years Brad Howarth has tracked the technologies and ideas disrupting industries, from the dot-com boom to the rise of AI and neurotechnology.Disruption, Innovation, and Emerging Technologies: Future-Proofing Your Organisation
Known for his curiosity and research-led process, Brad tailors every keynote to highlight the emerging technologies and disruptions most relevant to each client. He challenges leaders to rethink how disruption could reshape their industry, profession, and organisation, and equips them with strategies to foster innovation, avoid the graveyard of failed ideas, and prepare their teams for the future.
Key Takeaways:
• The emerging technologies most relevant to your organisation.
• How to foster a culture that adapts to disruption and drives innovation.
• Strategies to avoid failed innovation and future-proof your organisation.
AI’s Greatest Risks May Not Be What You Think
Every leader faces the same challenge: how do you harness AI’s potential without exposing your organisation to unacceptable risk?AI’s Greatest Risks May Not Be What You Think
Drawing on research with the Governance Institute of Australia and global technology leaders, this keynote provides clear, practical advice for adopting AI safely in a landscape defined by hype, uncertainty, and escalating pressure to act.
It explores the balance between the risk of doing something versus the risk of doing nothing, the roles leaders play in deploying AI responsibly, and the controls and techniques that mitigate AI risks.
Key Takeaways:
- How to evaluate AI’s risks versus its rewards
- The roles leaders can play in introducing AI safely
- Techniques for mitigating AI-related risks
Strategies for building strong AI governance
Workshop:Strategic Storytelling: Driving Commercial Outcomes Through Narrative
This workshop session covers the core elements of effective professional storytelling and its use in driving commercial outcomes by influencing how people think, feel and behave.Workshop:Strategic Storytelling: Driving Commercial Outcomes Through Narrative
Brad Howarth draws on his experience across journalism, fiction, and corporate communications to show how storytelling can be used to build engagement in media appearances, public speaking, group presentations, and thought leadership content. The workshop blends theory and discussion with practical exercises to ensure attendees develop skills they can immediately apply in their professional communications.
It covers:
Why storytelling is effective for changing how people think, feel, and behave.
The core elements of strong stories.
Creating engagement and being remembered.
Common storytelling mistakes and how to avoid them.
Utilising different storytelling concepts.
Making your audience the hero of your story.
Where This Session Works Best
- Executive offsites to align leadership and strategy
- Team retreats to build connection and communication skills
- Sales kick offs to inspire and equip teams with tools to influence
- Leadership programs to strengthen impact and presence
- Media and presentation skills training to build confidence and engagement in public forums
- Industries where influence is critical, including professional services, finance, health, retail, and technology
MC, Host & Facilitator
Brad Howarth is a skilled and engaging MC and event host, known for his calm authority, meticulous preparation and ability to bring meaningful structure to live events. With a background as a journalist and researcher, he brings substance and clarity to panel discussions, keynote sessions and conferences, ensuring ideas are communicated with precision and purpose.MC, Host & Facilitator
Brad tailors his approach to each client and audience, drawing on his deep subject-matter knowledge across business, technology and change. He is particularly effective in panel moderation and in-conversation formats, where his well-honed questioning and thoughtful facilitation help surface insights and keep discussions on track.
Professional, composed and insightful, Brad ensures events run smoothly, conversations stay relevant, and audiences stay engaged, whether on stage or on screen.
Video
Brad Howarth | Introduction | Saxton Speakers Bureau
Brad Howarth is obsessed with change. Brad has been examining the impact of technology-driven change on business and society for 25 years as a writer, researcher and author.Brad Howarth | Digital Inclusion | Saxton Speakers Bureau
Brad Howarth is obsessed with change. Brad has been examining the impact of technology-driven change on business and society for 25 years as a writer, researcher and author.Brad Howarth | The Future of Work | Saxton Speakers Bureau
Brad Howarth is obsessed with change. Brad has been examining the impact of technology-driven change on business and society for 25 years as a writer, researcher and author.Brad Howarth | Want and Need | Saxton Speakers Bureau
Brad Howarth is obsessed with change. Brad has been examining the impact of technology-driven change on business and society for 25 years as a writer, researcher and author.Alyssa and I would like to formally thank you. Working with you was seamless, your pre-preparation excellent and so calm and considered over the two days. We both thought your facilitation o ... keep reading Australian Food & Grocery Council (AFGC)
Brad Howarth was recommended to us as an inspiring speaker, and he exceeded expectations. Brad engaged and motivated our workforce and delivered a highly impactful presentation at our international Guide Dogs conference, addressing hundreds of global Guide Dogs organisations on the importance of innovation and technology in our sector and client experience. His session received outstanding feedback from attendees.
I was looking for a new face in regard to the subject of the future and technology. Not just another futurist talk about stuff that people would never use, something more hands on for business owners as well as having the knowledge at a far greater level. Brad was perfect. His presentation was pitched right at the required level. He took the time to talk to the Members of our Industry to find out their thoughts and needs and he also took the time to not only talk with me on the phone but also in a face to face meeting about the theme of the conference and what I was trying to achieve. He was actually interested.
Brad did an excellent job as MC of our HR Technology Conference. He was very well received by the audience and guest speakers. Brad has an easy going communication style and is professional and easy to work with.
Brad is an exceptional presenter who understands the intricacies of the ever-changing world of technology and also manages to actively involve the audience throughout his presentations. Brad presented on the 'Next Big Things' that will happen in the online/interactive industry at the end of year wrap up panel for Interactive Minds. He also participated in our expert panel discussion. His insights and knowledge are exceptional and his easy rapport with the other panellists and audience made him a standout guest speaker.
We were thrilled to have Brad present at Martech World Forum. He has a great ability to translate complex, technical topics into insights that resonated with everyone in the room. He is engaging and clear on topics that tackle the future of technology.
I have worked with Brad for over 10 years. All my interactions with Brad as writer, reporter and more recently as Panel Host or Master of Ceremonies have been positive. And whether it was the public face of Oracle, Intel or currently TIBCO that I manage, I can rely on Brad to assist and guide me.
Brad is an exceptional emcee and moderator who consistently elevates every event he is part of. His depth of industry knowledge and experience allows him to go far beyond simply hosting—he actively shapes the conversation, engages the audience, and keeps the energy in the room high throughout. What truly sets Brad apart is his ability to draw out meaningful insights from panellists. His thoughtful—and often provocative—questions unlock deeper perspectives and bring real substance to discussions, particularly in customer and thought leadership panels. He has a rare talent for turning complex topics into compelling narratives that resonate with audiences long after the event concludes.
Brad is a skilled and professional moderator. He oversaw two sessions at our forum, on relatively technical and obscure Internet-related issues. He was able to strike a balance between making the sessions accessible to the average layperson and useful for those with previous subject matter knowledge. Brad's pacing of the sessions was excellent, allowing our panellists to make their points and audience members to contribute frequently. He was well briefed and well prepared and I would not hesitate in engaging him again and recommending his services to others.
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