KEYNOTE: Keith Coats

The world needs a new leadership response to a global context of change, complexity and uncertainty. Keith is passionate about helping audiences around the world to understand what this response looks like and to equip leaders with the tools needed to respond to this changing context. His research and global experience of over 20 years has helped him identify the key-defining factors of a successful leader in the 21st century with the ability to learn, grow and be adaptable. Multiple clients with whom Keith has worked frequently comment on his ‘out of the ordinary’, his ‘exceptional’ and his ‘world class’ input that has made a profound difference to their leadership thinking and practice.

Keith works in numerous international executive leadership programmes and with business schools including London Business School, Duke CE, the Asia Pacific Leadership Program and the Gordon Institute of Business Science. He consults directly with clients at a board, executive and senior leadership level across a wide range of industries and sectors on subjects that include the future of leadership, global trends, strategy, diversity and talent. He is the co-author of ‘Leading in a Changing World.

Having enjoyed a long career in manufacturing after originally studying music at university, I believe strongly in balancing numerate, structured and logical thinking, with highly creative, visual and innovative flair to provide a comprehensive approach to business issues.

I worked in the corporate sector for nearly 40 years, holding CEO, Managing Director and President positions in both private and public companies. My whole career was in the manufacturing sector including several companies in consumer durables and engineered products.

I have been responsible for operations in Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and extensively across Asia. This included a 5-year period living and working in the USA in both North Carolina and Chicago, Illinois.

May mantra has been to enthusiasticly drive to achieve results swiftly, centred upon the idea of collaboration, built around trust, communication and accountability.

I live near Bridgnorth. I have two children, Rachel, a qualified Hypnobirth Practitonner in London and Simon, an Operations Manager in Manchester and I have been married to Rhys for 13 years. I am currently just 8 states short of completing visits to every state in the USA so further trips planned post the Covid period. 

I am currently Chair of Governors at Shrewsbury Colleges Group, a 9000 student sixth form and tertiary college serving much of Shropshire.