If change is not optional, then neither is foresight.
Brad Howarth is a respected facilitator, researcher, keynote speaker and MC with more than 30 years’ experience exploring the impact of technology, change and innovation on business and society.
His career spans journalism, social research, public speaking, executive facilitation and advisory work, giving him a distinctive ability to translate complex ideas into clear, practical insights. Brad helps leaders and organisations understand the forces reshaping their world, make better decisions in periods of uncertainty, and turn strategy into successful execution.
His extensive research and reporting on emerging technology also makes him particularly effective at demystifying complex developments such as artificial intelligence and translating them into practical implications for organisations and their people.
As a business and technology journalist, Brad has contributed to leading publications including The Australian, BRW, AFR Boss, GQ Australia and Rolling Stone Australia. He is the author of four books, including Managing for Change and Innovation is for Everyone, co-authored with Peter Fritz AM.
Today, Brad’s work primarily involves facilitating discussions and workshops that explore strategic responses to change and the challenge of turning strategy into action. His specialisation in the field of Execution Economics, and the related concept of Decision Sovereignty, gives him a distinctive perspective on why some change programs succeed while others fail, and what organisations can do to improve the likelihood of successful execution.
As a keynote speaker and workshop facilitator, Brad works closely with clients to understand their objectives and uses his research skills to surface insights that are relevant, engaging and practical for each audience. His presentations are bespoke and designed to challenge established thinking, introduce new perspectives and equip audiences to respond more effectively to change.
Brad is a highly regarded MC and event facilitator. He brings a calm, intelligent presence to the stage, combining deep preparation with strong research and storytelling skills to bring clarity to complex discussions. He is particularly effective in panel and in-conversation formats where subject-matter understanding, insightful questioning and narrative flow are critical. Brad has hosted and facilitated events for organisations including the Australian Food & Grocery Council, Committee for Melbourne, AHRI and WorkSafe Tasmania.
In addition, Brad works with organisations to strengthen their storytelling capabilities through workshops and one-on-one executive coaching. These programs help leaders use storytelling more effectively in public speaking, presentations and thought-leadership content to engage audiences, communicate ideas and drive commercial outcomes. His clients include Village Roadshow Group and numerous leading Australian and global technology companies.
Whether delivering a keynote, facilitating a strategic discussion or guiding a conversation on stage, Brad Howarth helps audiences make sense of what’s next, and equips them with the insight, tools and perspective to turn change into action.
Talking Points
Execution Economics – Achieving Successful Transformation in the Age of AI
Why do only some transformation programs succeed while many others fail?Execution Economics – Achieving Successful Transformation in the Age of AI
In a fast-moving, AI-powered world, the cost of failure can extend far beyond wasted time and money. But in many cases, the problem lies not in the strategy, but in the organisation’s ability to execute it.
This presentation introduces the emerging field of Execution Economics and explores the factors that determine whether strategy translates into successful outcomes. It examines the relationship between choice, foresight, strategy, and execution, and highlights how targeted interventions in execution capability can improve the likelihood of success.
Drawing on the related concept of Decision Sovereignty, the presentation gives audiences a new way to think about transformation, execution, and organisational capability in an environment of accelerating change. It also explores what these ideas mean at an individual level – how the choices people make, the foresight they develop, and the autonomy they retain, can shape their ability to turn intention into action.
Each presentation is tailored to the circumstances, priorities, and challenges of its audience.
Key takeaways:
- Understand the four key factors of choice, foresight, strategy, and execution, and how they interact.
- Explore how Decision Sovereignty shapes both organisational and individual capacity to execute successfully.
- Learn how the key elements of Execution Economics can be strengthened to improve outcomes in organisations, teams and individual work.
Building Trust in AI
AI is often described as the most transformational technology of our generation, heralding great improvements in business productivity and quality-of-life. Unfortunately for its supporters, a lot of people also worry that AI can make mistakes, take their jobs, misuse their data, or make decisions they don’t understand.Building Trust in AI
So how can business and public sector leaders gain the benefits of AI if the people they need to use it, work with it, or be served by it, simply don’t trust it?
In this presentation, Brad Howarth explores what sits behind our distrust of AI, and what leaders can do about it.
Drawing on original research and interviews with people who are successfully putting AI to work, Brad examines how trust is built through education, experience, transparency, social reinforcement, and good design.
He looks at why different people respond to AI in very different ways, why some attempts to build confidence can backfire, and what leaders can do to turn scepticism into real adoption, better decisions, stronger services, and measurable value.
Key takeaways:
- An understanding of the factors that shape trust and distrust in AI.
- An understanding of why different audiences may require different approaches to trust.
- Practical ideas for creating the conditions for responsible and confident AI adoption.
- Ways to use education, transparency, experience, and social reinforcement to build confidence.
- An appreciation of how poor implementation and communication can unintentionally increase distrust.
- A framework for thinking about trust as a driver of adoption, service quality, organisational value, and public confidence.
Workshop: Storytelling with Intent – Crafting and Delivering Stories to Achieve Outcomes
This workshop teaches attendees the essential elements of effective professional storytelling and how it can be used to drive commercial outcomes by influencing how people think, feel and behave. Designed for executives, business leaders, and sales teams, it demonstrates how discipline in narrative development and delivery can improve the likelihood of achieving intended outcomes.Workshop: Storytelling with Intent – Crafting and Delivering Stories to Achieve Outcomes
Brad draws on 30 years’ experience in journalism and an extensive background in media and presentation training to show how storytelling can be used to build engagement in media appearances, public speaking, group presentations, and thought leadership content. He also introduces ideas from the worlds of fiction and folklore to explain how storytelling captures human attention and influence what is retained and acted upon.
The workshop blends theory and discussion with practical exercises to ensure attendees develop skills they can immediately apply in their professional communications.
Key takeaways:
- Use storytelling to change how people think, feel or behave
- Understand the importance of focus and how to craft a Minimum Viable Story
- Maximise engagement and retention by crafting Moments that Matter
- Balance the ‘what’, ‘why’ and ‘how’ for maximum engagement
MC, Host & Facilitator
Brad Howarth is a skilled and engaging MC, event host, and interviewer, known for his calm authority, meticulous preparation and ability to bring meaningful structure to live events. With a background in storytelling honed through journalism and research, he brings substance and clarity to panel discussions and on-stage interviews, 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 transformation to engage guests in conversations that can be both playful and thought-provoking.
Professional, composed and insightful, Brad ensures events run smoothly, conversations stay relevant and audiences remain engaged, whether on stage or online.
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 was very committed to delivering a presentation that met our organisational needs.We asked that he speak to our frontline worker's about accumulated/vicarious trauma, as this type of trauma is quite prevalent in our industry. Brad proactively visited our site prior to the event date to meet some of our employees and to see their workplace environment. This really came through in his presentation as he was able to tailor his stories and his key message to our staff, who were extremely engaged throughout the presentation and provided positive feedback after the event ended. Brad definitely went above and beyond and we are very grateful to have had him as our speaker for this event.
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.
