David Thomas is one of the few Western strategists genuinely embedded in emerging Asia not flying in with a briefing pack, but living and working on the ground in the Philippines, with over 30 years of experience spanning Hong Kong, London, Sydney and across the ASEAN region. He travels from... Read more
The practical leadership required to navigate complexity, build trust across cultures and make consequential decisions when certainty is not available.
The biggest commercial opportunity of our time is not where most leaders are looking. What it actually takes to move capital, founders and companies intelligently along the corridor connecting developed markets to ASEAN.
In Asian markets, the relationship always precedes the transaction. What it actually takes to build trust in cultures where patience, consistency and genuine curiosity are the real entry requirements.
How the weaponisation of supply chains, maritime chokepoints and currency corridors is redrawing the rules of global commerce – and what it means for your organisation.
David Thomas is one of the few Western strategists genuinely embedded in emerging Asia not flying in with a briefing pack, but living and working on the ground in the Philippines, with over 30 years of experience spanning Hong Kong, London, Sydney and across the ASEAN region. He travels from Asia.
He lived in Hong Kong through the 1980s and 1990s, running his own wealth management firm while watching the Sino-British handover negotiations unfold at close quarters. His first visit to Beijing was in 1989 – the year that showed the world how power actually works in China. Over the following 29 years in Australia, he became one of the country’s most recognised voices on business and investment between China and Australia – co-founding the BRIC+ Program in 2006, among the first in the world to run investment study tours into all four BRIC markets. Today, he is based in Cebu, active in ASEAN business circles, and reading the signals before they become headlines.
A Cyberport Global Ambassador (Australia) and author of ten books on doing business in Asia, David’s signature work, Three Cups of Tea distils his philosophy into a simple framework: in Asian markets, you begin as a Stranger, become a Friend, and eventually – if you stay, show up, and invest in the relationship rather than rushing to the transaction – you become Family.
Only then does the real business begin. It is a philosophy he has lived, not invented. From the moment he steps on stage, David does something most speakers cannot – he makes geopolitics personal. His audiences leave not with a sense of the world’s complexity, but with a clearer understanding of what it means for them, and what to do about it.
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You can book David Thomas 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 Thomas'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 Thomas speaks on Asia, Authors, Business & Management, Geopolitics, Global Trends. 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 Thomas 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 Thomas 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 Thomas 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 Thomas 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 Thomas's areas of expertise include Asia, Authors, Business & Management, Geopolitics, Global Trends. 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 Thomas can be booked through London Speaker Bureau for corporate conferences, leadership events, internal team meetings, association gatherings and private client engagements where expertise in Asia, Authors, Business & Management, Geopolitics, Global Trends 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 Thomas 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 Thomas, 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.