- Co-founder of Diplomatic Rebels
- Former Senior Innovation Director at LEGO
- International keynote speaker and executive advisor
David Gram is an innovation leader and the co-founder of Diplomatic Rebels, a company dedicated to empowering organisations and intrapreneurs to become stronger innovators.
With a career spanning over 17 years, David has honed his expertise in radical innovation and lean start-up methods within both small businesses and large global corporations. His work is characterised by a unique blend of design thinking and agile development, which he has applied to numerous innovation projects from early incubation to full maturity.
David's journey in innovation leadership includes pivotal roles such as Senior Innovation Director at LEGO's Future Lab and Head of Innovation at Scandinavian Airlines. During his nine-year tenure at LEGO, he led multidisciplinary teams in developing breakthrough business initiatives, ensuring the company remained at the forefront of the toy industry. His efforts were instrumental in establishing LEGO Ventures, the strategic venture arm of the LEGO Brand Group, further cementing his reputation as a key figure in corporate innovation.
The "Diplomatic Rebel" concept is central to David's philosophy. He believes that anyone can become an innovator within their organisation by balancing the rebellious spirit needed to challenge the status quo with the diplomatic skills required to garner support. This mindset is crucial for driving change in complex organisations, and David's work with Diplomatic Rebels aims to instil these principles in companies worldwide.
David's insights and methodologies have been recognised in various forums, including his role as an Unreasonable Mentor, where he has advised numerous companies. He has shared his expertise with organisations such as British Airways and the creative agency Two Degrees Below, and facilitated design-thinking workshops for international audiences.
As an international keynote speaker and executive advisor, David continues to inspire organisations to embrace change and innovation, ensuring they remain viable in an ever-evolving world.
David's Showreel and Videos
Topics, Sessions and Talks
Radical Innovation Through Intrapreneurship
From Corporate Giant To Agile Ecosystem
David Gram explores how large companies can transform into agile ecosystems through corporate venturing. As organisations grow, they often become slow and risk-averse, stifling innovation. Gram suggests that future companies should act as open platforms, engaging partners, startups, and customers to create value. Attendees will learn how to make their organisations nimble and adaptive, fostering collaboration with startups and empowering employees to innovate. Gram's experience with The LEGO Group's ecosystem, including LEGO Ventures and LEGO Ideas, underscores his expertise.
The Foundation For Effective Innovation
David Gram emphasises the importance of establishing a solid foundation for successful radical innovation. Companies must define a clear purpose and strategy to explore new territories effectively, identifying the right Opportunity Spaces to avoid overwhelming efforts. Attendees will learn why a clear purpose and understanding of core capabilities are crucial for driving effective innovation and how setting limits can significantly enhance success. With 15 years of experience at companies like SAS and The LEGO Group, David Gram is well-versed in building innovation strategies.
Diplomatic Rebels: Disrupting Large Organisations From Within
David Gram, co-founder of Diplomatic Rebels, shares insights on disrupting large organisations from within. He explores how to challenge the status quo with innovative ideas while maintaining support from colleagues and management. Balancing the rebel spirit with diplomatic skills is crucial to avoid burnout or conformity. Attendees will learn the five habits of impactful intrapreneurs and how to cultivate these skills to lead an organisation of Diplomatic Rebels effectively.
David Gram will share his expertise in design thinking, drawing from his extensive experience at LEGO, where he pioneered innovative methods. He will discuss how LEGO successfully integrated design thinking into its culture, highlighting both successes and challenges. Attendees will learn about essential methodologies, including customer immersion and rapid prototyping, as well as the mindset needed for effective innovation. The session promises an engaging presentation style, with interactive elements to enhance the learning experience.
Why We Recommend Booking David
Unlock radical innovation with David Gram, Co-Founder of Diplomatic Rebels and former LEGO Ventures leader. With expertise in design thinking and agile development, David guides teams to become change-leading innovators. Transform your business challenges into opportunities. Book David now to inspire and implement impactful change in your organization.
David was an excellent speaker. I really appreciated his ability to pull together a session plan at short notice, and he fulfilled the brief well, tailoring his content to suit our audience. The problem statement he chose, exploring how to blend AI with empathy, was incredibly timely and resonated with attendees.
Kiera Martin, Head of Conference
Head of Conference, IQPC
