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David Parrish — International Creative Industries Speaker, Author and Trainer

David Parrish is an international keynote speaker, author and creative business trainer who specialises in the creative industries, creative entrepreneurship and the creative economy. He has worked with entrepreneurs, businesses, governments and organisations in more than 60 countries.

He is the author of T-Shirts and Suits: A Guide to the Business of Creativity and Chase One Rabbit: Strategic Marketing for Business Success.

International Keynote Speaker

David speaks at conferences and events worldwide, combining fresh ideas with practical business insights drawn from his extensive international experience working with creative entrepreneurs, businesses and organisations.

Each presentation is adapted to the audience, theme and local context.

He has spoken about the creative economy and creative entrepreneurship at international events including the United Nations in Geneva and the European Commission in Brussels.

Find out more about David Parrish as an international keynote speaker

David Parrish speaking at Ejadah Confex in Saudi Arabia
David Parrish speaking at Ejadah Confex in Saudi Arabia

Creative Business Training Workshops

David designs and delivers interactive training workshops for creative entrepreneurs and for organisations supporting the creative industries and creative economy. His workshops combine creative thinking with practical business expertise in areas including entrepreneurship, strategy, marketing and business development. Programmes can range from a single workshop to multi-day international projects, tailored to the needs of participants and the commissioning organisation.
David has delivered creative business training internationally for creative hubs, business support agencies, development organisations, government agencies and other organisations working with creative entrepreneurs..

Find out more about creative business training workshops

David Parrish with creative entrepreneurs at a training workshop in South Africa
David Parrish with creative entrepreneurs after a training workshop in Nelspruit/Mbombela in South Africa

International engagements can combine keynote speaking, workshops, books for participants and publishing collaborations, creating a programme tailored to the conference, organisation or country.

David Parrish with creative business training participants holding copies of T-Shirts and Suits in Georgia
Creative business training participants with David Parrish and his book ‘T-Shirts and Suits’ in Tbilisi, Georgia.

Books and International Editions

David is the author of T-Shirts and Suits: A Guide to the Business of Creativity and Chase One Rabbit: Strategic Marketing for Business Success, together with other publications for creative entrepreneurs and organisations.

T-Shirts and Suits has been translated and republished internationally in 14 editions, with further translations and publishing collaborations welcomed.

David’s books can also form part of international projects — for example, as paperback books for workshop participants or conference delegates, or through translation and publishing partnerships linked to speaking and training engagements.

Find out more about David’s books and international editions


What Clients and Conference Organisers Say about David

“David’s speech about ‘Creative Business in the Digital Economy’ was enlightening. It was ideal for our audience that included startups, government officials, investors and agencies from Serbia and other countries. We were delighted with the positive impact that David made on the creative industries here in Serbia.”
Tatjana Kalezic. Creative Industries Cluster of Vojvodina KVIK.

“Creative entrepreneurs from all over Russia said that David’s presentation was very inspiring, entertaining and very useful for them.”
– Olga Kizina. Director. Creative Industries Agency. Moscow. Russia.

“Workshop participants were very impressed and inspired by David’s speech and book because he avoided using jargon, gave clear illustrations … and explained the general principles of running a creative business.”
– HsinYi Ku. British Council, Taiwan

Read more testimonials from conference organisers, training clients and creative industries organisations worldwide

International Experience

David has worked with creative entrepreneurs, businesses, conference organisers, governments and creative economy organisations in more than 60 countries from Azerbaijan to Zimbabwe.

His international experience spans Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa and the Americas, working across different cultures and economic environments. His clients and partners have included government agencies, NGOs, creative hubs, business support organisations, universities and international institutions.

This experience enables David to adapt his keynote speeches and training programmes to different audiences, countries and creative economy contexts.

Read more about David Parrish, his international work and experience

David Parrish speaking about the creative industries in Valparaiso, Chile.
David Parrish speaking about the creative industries in Valparaiso, Chile.

About David Parrish

David’s approach combines his own experience as an entrepreneur and business owner in the creative industries with professional business expertise and decades of international work with creative entrepreneurs and organisations.

“David’s ability to establish a rapport with creative and cultural entrepreneurs is second to none.”
– Sean Durney. Culture Liverpool. Liverpool City Council.

He has an MBA (with distinction) and professional credentials including Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (FCIM), Chartered Marketer, Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute (FCMI) and Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA).

Find out more about David Parrish

Work with David Parrish

David works internationally with conference organisers, creative economy organisations, governments, development agencies, creative hubs and other organisations supporting creative entrepreneurs.

Contact David to discuss a keynote speech, training programme, publishing collaboration or an international project combining several activities.

Contact David Parrish