David Lim, is best known in Singapore for leading the 1st Singapore Mt Everest Expedition in 1998 which succeeded in placing two members on the summit. The climb captured the imagination of the entire country and helped reset the parameters of what could be achieved by the small, flat, tropical... Read more
David Lim, is best known in Singapore for leading the 1st Singapore Mt Everest Expedition in 1998 which succeeded in placing two members on the summit. The climb captured the imagination of the entire country and helped reset the parameters of what could be achieved by the small, flat, tropical island nation.
A week after his return from Everest, he was totally paralysed by the rare nerve disorder Guillain-Barre Syndrome. Artificially ventilated for 42 days, he spent six months in hospital before returning home. Though he was permanently disabled in both legs, he made a dramatic comeback to climbing the world’s great mountains, and returned once more to Everest in 2001.
Lim’s climbing resume includes leadership in over 70 alpine ascents including two expeditions to Mt Everest and many SE Asian first ascents. In 2005, he made the 3rd solo ever of the world’s highest volcano, and three virgin peaks ascents in Central Asia. In 2007, he and his partner made a rare crossing, on foot, and unsupported, across the Salar de Uyuni, the world’s largest salt desert. After climbing his 7th virgin peak (Qinghai, China, Sep 2012), The Sunday Times described him as “unstoppable”.
He leads Everest Motivation Team, Inc, a company that helps organisations build teams and grow leaders through consulting, speaking, and programmes. In the corporate world, he spent nearly a decade in the media industry with positions in marketing, journalism management and multimedia. His other positions include being and adjunct lecturer at INSEAD Business School (since 2000)
Lim’s presentation style is breezy, humorous, and yet with an edge to make audiences consider embracing specific changes in their beliefs. David is the first Singaporean to receive the Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) designation, the highest accreditation for professional speakers, and only held by 11% of professional speakers in the 6000-member Global Speakers Federation. In Dec 2013, he was the first group of CSPs to receive the CSPGlobal designation.
He and his team have delivered programmes and presentations in over 28 countries and 68 cities worldwide. EMT clients include Accenture, Rockwell Automation, IBM, PriceWaterhouse Coopers, IKEA, Intel, Ministry of Finance, Danone, AP Moller/Maersk, Oracle, Prudential, AXA, TATA Steel, ABN Amro, Nokia, Standard Chartered Bank, Citibank, Bulgari, Singapore Telecommunications, and Novartis.
David Lim is an accredited coach and workshop leader. He is author of “How Leaders Lead: 71 Lessons in Leading Yourself and Others”, and the best-sellers “Mountain to Climb” and “Against Giants”. Lim was educated in Singapore and Britain, and graduated with a law degree from Cambridge University.
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You can book David Lim through London Speaker Bureau by submitting the enquiry form on this page or calling our team. One of our consultants will respond promptly with David's current availability, speaking fees and any specific requirements for your event.
David Lim's speaking fees depend on the event format (in-person or virtual), the location, the length of the engagement and the level of customisation required. Please contact London Speaker Bureau for an up-to-date fee quote for David tailored to your event.
David Lim speaks on a range of business, leadership and industry subjects. Talks can be shaped around your audience, industry and strategic objectives - share your event brief with London Speaker Bureau and we will work with David to align the content with your delegates and goals.
London Speaker Bureau can book David Lim for events worldwide, subject to David's schedule. Please send us your event date, location and format and we will confirm availability and handle travel and logistics on your behalf.
Virtual and hybrid keynotes are now a standard part of the speaking industry. Please contact London Speaker Bureau to confirm whether David Lim is available to deliver a virtual session for your event and on which platform (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, a bespoke studio or your own).
Most keynote speeches run between 45 and 60 minutes, often followed by a 15-30 minute Q&A. Other formats - shorter conference slots, panel appearances or longer workshop sessions - may also be possible. Share your agenda with London Speaker Bureau and we will confirm what David can accommodate.
London Speaker Bureau will brief David Lim on your audience profile, sector and objectives so the keynote can be shaped around your event. The level of customisation possible depends on the speaker and the lead time - contact us with your brief and we will confirm what David can offer.
David Lim delivers keynotes in English. This profile may not list every language available; ask London Speaker Bureau to confirm. If you require simultaneous interpretation or a multilingual format, please mention this in your enquiry and London Speaker Bureau will arrange it for you.
David Lim's areas of expertise include a range of business, leadership and industry subjects. To get a clear sense of David's style, credentials and how they engage an audience, please review the biography, popular talks and any videos or testimonials shown on this page, or request a detailed speaker brief from London Speaker Bureau.
David Lim can be booked through London Speaker Bureau for corporate conferences, leadership events, internal team meetings, association gatherings and private client engagements where expertise in a range of business, leadership and industry subjects is relevant. Details of David's background and previous engagements are included in the biography above; contact us if you would like a more detailed list of past clients or case studies.
Beyond keynote speeches, many of the speakers on our roster also take part in workshops, executive masterclasses, panel discussions and fireside chats. Contact London Speaker Bureau with your preferred format and we will confirm what David Lim is able to offer alongside or instead of a keynote.
We generally recommend enquiring at least three to twelve months in advance to secure your preferred date with David Lim, particularly during peak conference seasons. Where possible we also accommodate shorter lead times - please contact London Speaker Bureau to check David's current availability for your dates.