David R. Blackburn

David R. Blackburn is one of the most awarded HR professionals working in the UK today, a recognised thought leader within his profession, he regularly contributes to articles, podcasts, roundtables and speaks at events across the UK and beyond. 

David is the founder of David R Blackburn Consulting, which offers strategic and operational support to organisations undergoing business and cultural transformation. His clients include Amnesty International UK, the CIPD, English Heritage, SHL, the Universities of Aberdeen, London Southbank and Oxford and the Bank of England where he is a Senior Independent Advisor for Skills and HR Evolution. David is also currently the Chief People Consultant at Gamble Aware.

Blackburn is a chartered companion of both the CIPD and the Chartered Management Institute. He graduated from the University of Aberdeen, London Business School, and the University of Cambridge Judge Business School, and is a Fellow of both the Royal Society of the Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (a global network) and the Institute of Leadership and Management, a Chartered Manager and a Freemen of the Company of HR Professionals.

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In addition, he is a governor and chair of both the Equity, Diversity and Access and Nominations Committees at The Place, the home of the London Contemporary Dance School and a Trustee of Positive East. He is married to Laurence I Clark.