David Coleman Keynote Speaker

David Coleman is a Royal Marines Commando turned multiple award-winning business owner and public speaker. An open book of extraordinary stories from a lifetime of adversity—and how he overcame it—David inspires audiences with candour and practical perspective. Despite a lifelong stammer that, until recently, left him unable to say his own name, he now addresses rooms with clarity and purpose.

Joining the Marines at 16, David passed elite Commando training at the first attempt as the youngest member of his troop. Deployed to Afghanistan at 18, he was blown up by a grenade, sustaining multiple injuries to his neck, face, body and legs. Refusing to accept that the fight was over, he returned to the frontline a month later, before contracting a very rare flesh-eating disease and being sent back to the U.K. for further medical care.

Having experienced so much so young, David’s mental health declined. Following a suicide attempt and the loss of multiple close friends, he was diagnosed with severe anxiety, depression and PTSD—experiences he speaks about openly to help others seek the support they need. He persisted with his speech until the stammer was all but gone and has now fully overcome it, despite being told he would never be able to do so.

David has spoken in the House of Commons for Parliament, on BBC News, and delivered the keynote for multiple global corporations—including the largest Mercedes-Benz dealership in Europe at its annual business briefing. In the corporate and professional sports sector, he regularly plans and delivers high-pressure military-style team-building events to boost leadership, resilience and performance, working with clients such as Red Bull, Bosch, HM Police Force, Warrington Wolves and Land Rover.