Paul Stead

Business leader, Change Agent, Connector, Designer, Entrepreneur, Idea generator, Marketer, Parent, Photographer, World traveler

Paul is a highly experienced designer, innovation expert and serial entrepreneur. Having grown and sold businesses, sat on the board of a FTSE 250 company, been the CEO of a global agency he has a unique creative business perspective which few can replicate. Paul is now involved with several creative and business ventures within Shirlaws Group, BreweryLondon and has a number of board positions supporting a portfolio of business interests. Shirlaws Group – advisors to private enterprise, currently working with clients in 26 countries across the globe. BreweryLondon – a Creative Business Catalyst, specialising in growing brands through Design + Innovation. Midas – building legacy beyond Fame, a Celebrity Branding Agency. Surgery Group - lifestyle branding agency with strong retail and fashion portfolio. NewEdge inc - Innovation Consultancy, delivering growth from opportunity.

At work.. Innovation, growing businesses & brands. At home… Family, wife of 30 years, renovating properties, tennis, cycling ,yachting, travel. Over-all… living, having fun!

"You can kill an idea, you can't kill an opportunity " Innovation has become focused on ideas, ideation, idea generation. Careers in innovation are often risky as few projects deliver on their initial promise. Opportunities based innovation is the future. Opportunities exist in the marketplace, its about finding the right idea within the opportunity space that critical.

Business strategy, Design, Innovation & Business Development, Innovation & technology, Innovation - Cross Industry Value, Innovation acceleration from idea to impact, Market Development, Marketing research, Product / Brand Development, trends innovation

My life until recently has been full … working to live + living to work, bringing up a family, building a business using my skills in the only way I know how. I been scared of loosing, scared of coming second and have driven myself harder and harder to succeed. Two years ago Carl Haney ( ex VP R+D P&G ) suggested I join TED to “open my eyes to the possibilities” … so I am here to listen, learn, look for new views on the world, see how my life can adapt and adopt new ways for the remaining 40+ years ahead!

My childhood was spent building houses/garages with my dad. In my 20’s we continued in the family traditions developing houses by doing it ourselves. Also being dyslexic I can see in three dimensions!