INTERNATIONAL KEYNOTES , AUTHOR AND PODCASTER ON
Creativity
INNOVATION
DESIGN
AND A RECOVERING PROFESSIONAL ARTIST
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Simon Banks
International keynote speaker, author and podcaster on creativity, innovation, design and a recovering professional artist
Reclaiming the human edge in an AI-driven workplace
Guess what’s topping the World Economic Forum’s wish list for 2030? Creativity my friend! But hold on, is creativity just a special gift for a chosen few, or is it something we’ve all stashed away and need to dig out?
Remember that kid who could turn any nook into a possibility and make an adventure out of every chance? Well, being child-ish is quite different from being child-like; in fact, kids have a massive leg up on us adults. They’re naturally imaginative, curious, and can create without a single worry hogging their minds. It’s high time we hit pause, listen to our old creative friend and rekindle those skills we left behind.
In the whirlwind of automation and AI taking over, the future of work is waving its hands desperately, shouting, “We need your creativity, like, yesterday!” It’s not asking politely; it’s practically on its knees. Your creativity is your secret weapon in this ever-changing game.
Creativity isn’t just a buzzword; it’s the magic wand that unlocks a world of possibilities in your personal, career, and organisational puzzles. It’s the superhero cape you wear to tackle challenges big and small in ways nobody else can.
Ready for a ride? It’s time to shake things up: jump on board this keynote to infuse a splash of creativity into your every day, at work, home and play with.

Key outcomes
- Explore the science behind creativity and how it makes us human.
Understand that we all have unique creative intelligences and how to make use of them.
Apply a creative mindset to both simple and complex problem solving.
- Develop the creative confidence to take risks and taking charge of your own creative journey.
- Learn how to get rid some of the organisational speed bumps that can pop us and stop us saying, “hello creativity, my old friend’.
- Develop the creative confidence to bring your awesome ideas into the world.
Curiosity may kill cats, definitely not humans
The secret to spotting opportunities others miss
Ever wonder what’s really going on around you? Are you the kind of curious cat who stops, explores, and takes in all the goodness life has to offer? Are you?
Curiosity is like your superhero cape…and the good news is that this cape is available to anyone, anywhere, anytime. All it takes is a sprinkle of wonder and a dash of adventure and then you’re good to go on a journey where the ordinary transforms into the remarkable.
The future belongs to the bold question-askers, the fearless explorers, and the daydreamers. Curiosity is like the cool kid in town—it sparks discovery, customer centricity, and challenges the old, well-known ways of doing what’s always been done: skills that are very much in demand right now.
But how do you amp up your curiosity? Simple, it all starts with opening your eyes. When we do, we spot things others miss, things we didn’t even know were there. And that’s exciting.
But here’s the kicker: This isn’t a keynote like the ones you’ve seen before.
You will develop your curiosity and learning to see by embarking on an explorative quest into some of the most famous artworks of all time digging into their most hidden details, their connections and the stories behind them. Brace yourself for an explorative quest that goes beyond the surface, delving into hidden details, unravelling intricate connections, and uncovering the captivating stories behind these masterpieces. You’ll train your eyes in the skill of seeing the unseen, challenging paradigms and unearthing the stuff we usually speed past.
Curious yet? You should be!.

Key outcomes
Learn how to use your visual intelligence to create new connections.
- Discover how the neuroscience of curiosity leads to discovery.
- Explore the crucial relationship between curiosity and critical thinking when solving complex problems.
- Embrace curiosity as a pillar of lifelong learning culture.
Shed the blinkers and paradigms that narrow our thinking, moreover, never ever look at work of art in the same way.
- Apply your visual intelligence skills to all areas of your life.
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The Art of Occupational Philosophy
Why better questions, not quick answers, power leadership in the age of AI
The thinking that led to the challenges we’re facing won’t be the thinking that resolves them. It’s crucial to challenge our biases and filters, letting go of presumed knowledge and becoming comfortable in the grey areas of ambiguous scenarios, where multiple truths and correct answers coexist.
Introducing ‘Occupational Philosophy’!
Inspired by ancient thinkers asking: “How should we live?” We bring that curiosity to work—asking: “How should we work?” Let’s ditch answers for better questions. In our complex world, embracing uncertainty, humility, and intense curiosity sparks creativity, empathy, and innovation—crucial for success in business, society, and overall in life. Philosophy isn’t just for dusty bookshelves; let’s make Occupational Philosophy a ‘thing’! You can be an Occupational Philosopher too, changing how organisations work and spreading the approach to our communities. Humility and curiosity cut through life’s polarised debates, making a difference everywhere.
Packed with smiles, a new outlook, and a touch of adaptability and openness, this keynote is your ticket to making sense of a world that sometimes defies understanding.

Key outcomes
- Discover how to feel comfortable in a space where right or wrong may not be the answer.
- Get new insights on the moral and ethical principles that rule the world we’re living in.
Learn about how philosophy opens up to new perspectives on complex topics.
- Embrace curiosity as a pillar of lifelong learning culture.
- Gain a fresh point of view by reframing your questions.
Leading with Innovation:
Now we’re talking!
Because innovation doesn’t start in a spreadsheet. It starts with your people
Leading a continuous culture of innovation may seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. You don’t necessarily need to invest in bean bags, a ping pong table, or even set up a craft brewery in the lunchroom—unless, of course, that’s your jam.
The real game-changer is in the little stuff, the things that pack a punch. Your organisation’s got potential itching to break free, and you’re the visionary to unleash it. Forget about spreadsheets and Gantt charts; the real magic wand is right in front of you: it’s your awesome people!
This keynote is for those who’re ready to initiate and guide an innovative culture, unlock their organisation’s hidden powers, and ride the wave of constant “aha” moments that keep the progress train chugging along as they delight their customers and smoke the competition; all aboard the innovation express!
Key outcomes
- Embrace innovation: from a hard task to daily approach.
- Learn how to foster a culture where authenticity is not just encouraged but expected.
- Create an environment where people and innovation thrive, promoting ideas generation, fostering market-leading thinking, and outstanding results.
- Acquire the tools to enable your teams to fulfil their innovation potential and envision possibilities they may have never seen before.
Implement cost effective strategies to identify and remove innovation barriers.
Learn how to generate a continuous flow of ideas and how to transform them into tangible actions focussed on driving positive change.
The Art of the Story
Because no one ever remembered bullet point 5, slide 13
Humans have been telling stories since day one. They are an essential part of our communication. A good story makes us think, feel, and speaks to us in ways that numbers, data, and presentation slides simply can’t. Most importantly, it puts information in a way that our 21st Century minds crave – simple, meaningful and engaging. Whilst technology can spice up storytelling, it’s the most basic human traits of human connection that drive a story and its ability to cut through.
If you’re after a session that busts through your company’s addiction to corporate speak and teaches you how to tell awesome stories, this one’s for you. (And think you can’t draw? Get ready to bust that myth once and for all!)
Key outcomes
- Understand the neuroscience of storytelling and why we need to put storytelling into factual presentations to engage the brain.
Be able to craft and create simple and compelling pictures to explain complex problems.
- Develop a framework to tell a purpose-led story about yourself and your company in a way that is engaging and captivating.
Present with energy and positivity and always leave a positive emotional legacy.
How to put storytelling at the heart of your culture and the way you connect with your clients.
Have some Keynote Speaker questions?
I’ve got some answers
I live by the science of ‘you move, you improve’. As such, I always get people out of their seats, chatting with others, engaging in short, sharp activities and have highly visual content. This means loads of live drawing, bringing the screen to life. Throw in some smiles and laughter and it’s a pretty good launchpad for audience engagement.
Great question! It’s great to kick off your event with a BANG and get everyone into the right headspace for the day/s of content. A great keynote speech can also often come at the end of the event, with a “How can we send everyone off on a high and with a big smile?” Either way, always make sure the start and end of your event are full of energy. Your audience will thank you for it, and they won’t be asleep, either.
Not really! Let me explain: when I think of motivational, I think of someone shouting, “You can do it, believe in yourself!” This is great – I love Tony Robbins – however, I don’t really speak about motivation. I get excited about opening people’s eyes to the creative intelligence/creative potential that they already have. And bringing that out in a fun way that stays with them long after the keynote is over. Saying that, if people don’t feel motivated and just a little excited after you’ve spoken to them, maybe you’re in the wrong career.
Yes, yes, yes! (And with bells on!) All keynotes can be delivered from one-hour all the way up to three -day workshops. Get in touch to talk with me about what you’ve got in mind.


