TEDx speaker, award-winning author and speaker coach helping audiences communicate ideas with confidence and simple sketches.
5.00 of 5
Top rated!5 of 5
“I truly enjoyed your presentation. Your message really resonated with me.”
Candee J. Chambers, Executive Director, Direct Employers Association
Indianapolis
Book Graham Shaw for an inspiring keynote that changes the way people communicate ideas. As an internationally recognised speaker coach, award-winning author and TEDx speaker, Graham has helped thousands of professionals deliver presentations with greater confidence and impact. He is best known for showing audiences how anyone can use simple sketches to explain business ideas clearly, regardless of artistic ability. Combining practical techniques, humour and audience participation, Graham delivers memorable presentations that leave people with skills they can apply immediately.
Graham Shaw is an international conference speaker, speaker coach and award-winning author who has spent decades helping individuals and organisations communicate more effectively. His work focuses on presentation skills and visual communication, giving audiences practical tools that make ideas easier to understand, remember and share.
His sessions challenge one of the most common beliefs people hold about creativity—that they cannot draw. Graham demonstrates that simple sketches are not about artistic talent but about making communication clearer. Through engaging demonstrations and interactive exercises, audiences quickly discover that they are capable of drawing ideas they never imagined they could.
This practical approach has made Graham one of the most sought-after speakers on visual communication, helping businesses, leaders and professionals improve the way they present information and engage others.
Graham's TEDx Hull talk, "Why people believe they can't draw – and how to prove they can," has been viewed more than 40 million times, making it one of the most-watched talks in the TED online library. The presentation has inspired millions around the world to rethink creativity and discover the power of visual thinking.
He has also spoken at TEDx Vienna, where he explored how drawing helps people remember more effectively, and he has coached TEDx speakers to deliver compelling presentations of their own.
His expertise has also been featured on BBC television and radio, including BBC World News Talking Business and BBC World Service Radio.
In recognition of his speaking excellence, Graham was named Speaker of the Year Regional Winner 2025 by the Professional Speaking Association UK & Ireland.
Before becoming an international speaker and consultant, Graham worked as Manager of Corporate Training at British Airways, where he played an important role in leadership and management development.
Over more than twenty-five years as a consultant, he has worked with organisations across industries, helping teams communicate more effectively, present with greater confidence and simplify complex information.
His client list includes:
Whether speaking to business leaders, sales teams, educators or conference audiences, Graham delivers practical ideas that can immediately be applied in everyday communication.
Graham has written books that have become valuable resources for professionals looking to improve their communication and presentation skills.
His book The Art of Business Communication was shortlisted for the Chartered Management Institute's Management Book of the Year Awards 2016, recognising its contribution to better business communication.
His later book, The Speaker's Coach: 60 Secrets to Make Your Talk, Speech or Presentation Amazing!, received a Highly Commended award at the Business Book Awards 2020 and was runner-up in the Personal Development category. The book reflects Graham's hands-on coaching experience and offers practical guidance for delivering engaging and memorable presentations.
As a speaker coach, Graham has helped thousands of people develop greater confidence on stage, refine their message and connect more effectively with audiences of every size.
Graham combines expertise with an approachable, energetic delivery that keeps audiences engaged from beginning to end. His presentations are interactive, entertaining and packed with practical techniques rather than theory alone.
Delegates leave with simple tools they can immediately use to:
His ability to make audiences realise they can draw—even if they have believed the opposite for years—creates memorable moments that continue long after the event has finished.
Away from the stage, Graham enjoys art and sport and is a keen runner and tennis player, interests that reflect the creativity, energy and discipline he brings to both his work and his presentations.
5 of 5
“I truly enjoyed your presentation. Your message really resonated with me.”
Candee J. Chambers, Executive Director, Direct Employers Association Indianapolis
5 of 5
“This workshop enables you to draw like you never thought you could. You will be pleasantly surprised! “
Kosta Christofi, Training Relationship Manager HSBC Bank
5 of 5
“Graham is an amazing communicator. I have no doubt in recommending him to anyone needing to engage a super coach on communication matters.”
Mauro Bartoletti, Head of Channel Development Epson European Marketing Division
5 of 5
“Graham is an excellent coach and event speaker. I have no hesitation in recommending him”
John Swallow, Head of Learning & Development Specsavers (Northern Europe)
5 of 5
"Thank you Graham for an amazing session. You once again captivated a Google audience.”
Stephanie Fastre, People Development Development, Innovation & Creativity Google
Keynote by Graham Shaw:
No drawing experience required – just an open mind.
Imagine being able to grab attention and explain ideas with a sketch.
Whether on a whiteboard, a piece of paper or a flipchart.
Your picture will stay in people’s minds and your message will stick!
The only problem is that most people don’t believe they can draw!
However, we can all learn to draw well enough to make ideas memorable.
In this highly practical session, the audience will discover drawing talents they may never have known they had. They will learn how to think in pictures and create simple, yet powerful sketches that will stay in the memory.
Audience takeaways
A ‘Visual Toolkit’ to enable delegates to sketch ideas in business, or any other topic.
The confidence to explain ideas with an easy-to-draw sketch.
The skills to use drawing in group work, such as problem-solving on whiteboards.
Tips to help teams create storyboards.
The skills to sketch symbols to make information easier to learn when studying.
And much more.
Keynote by Graham Shaw:
No drawing experience required – just an open mind and being prepared to have a go.
If you have ever watched someone drawing you may have found yourself completely absorbed as the picture develops.
As people marvel at the skill of the artist, they often confirm their existing beliefs, that they themselves are unable to draw. It must be a gift, something that only special people do.
In this practical session the audience will discover that they can in fact draw simple and effective pictures when they know how.
They just need to be prepared to have fun as they draw lively cartoon sketches and explore their beliefs about just what is possible for them to achieve.
Audience takeaways
Enhanced confidence in their ability to achieve things they otherwise thought were impossible for them.
The ability to sketch great-looking cartoons and easy-to-draw pictures.
Feeling inspired to share their new-found skills with family, friends and colleagues.
Keynote by Graham Shaw:
Success in getting a message across depends not only on what you say, but also on how you say it. If you have ever had to give a presentation, you may have noticed that there is so much to think about.
You may have wondered where to look, what to do with your hands or how to stand. Perhaps you have felt nervous when speaking and would like to feel more confident.
In this lively session participants will learn how to captivate their audiences and get messages across with impact every time, whether face to face or online.
Audience takeaways
How to structure talks to appeal to everyone in their audience.
Proven ways to immediately grab attention and connect with groups.
Using stance, or a seated posture, to enhance confidence and key messages.
How to make their voice engaging and easy to listen to.
Simple ways to use gestures to make their ideas easier to recall.
How to use eye contact to engage people and increase rapport.
Able to control nerves and feel confident.
How to increase audience rapport through gestures.
Tips to adjust to their presentation skills when presenting online.
How to end on a high and increase the chances of people taking the desired action.
Watch Graham Shaw in action
Watch Graham Shaw in action
