Meet Chris Barton, the inventor of Shazam and founder of Guard, a drowning detection system. A former member of Google’s Android Partnerships team and an early contributor to Dropbox, Chris continues to inspire with his journey of overcoming obstacles to create transformative technologies.
Chris Barton is more than just an inventor; he’s a visionary who defies the impossible. Known as the brain behind Shazam, one of the most popular apps worldwide, and now venturing into life-saving technology with Guard, Barton proves that imagination combined with tenacity can make dreams come to life.
Chris Barton’s early life was far from the typical journey of a tech entrepreneur. With academic parents, he struggled due to undiagnosed dyslexia. Yet, he turned his challenges into strengths, attributing his dyslexia as the key to his out-of-the-box thinking and groundbreaking inventions. Not just an app, Shazam is a phenomenon. Created in 2000, well before the advent of iTunes or the iPhone, it faced numerous obstacles, including scepticism from tech experts at MIT and Stanford. Defying the odds, Chris built everything from scratch—from the world’s largest music database to a search engine supercomputer.
Chris’s latest venture, Guard, uses artificial intelligence to detect drowning in swimming pools—an unprecedented effort in both tech and safety realms. His impact goes beyond Shazam and Guard. From Google’s Android Partnerships team to Dropbox’s carrier partnerships, Chris has been a significant player in tech history. His 12 patents and investments in cutting-edge startups underline his position as a pioneering force in the tech industry.
When he’s not inventing, Chris takes the stage to share his wisdom, teaching audiences to imagine the unimaginable and take tangible steps to achieve their goals. Away from the screen and stage, Chris is an outdoor enthusiast and a devoted father, offering a holistic view of the man who changed how the world interacts with music.
…
When Mike Abrashoff took charge of the USS Benfold, he was the most junior officer in the Pacific Fleet, and the ship was one of the worst performers. Fast forward a year, and that very ship had risen to become the Navy’s best without swapping out the crew. What Michael Abrashoff achieved with the USS Benfold highlights issues that many organisations wrestle with. That’s why his story has been featured in publications like The Wall Street Journal, Harvard Business Review, and Fast Company. As a highly sought-after keynote speaker, he inspires others with his approach to leadership and organisational change. Book Mike for an event or workshop today.
Friederike Fabritius, a thought leader and passionate leadership expert, applies behavioural research and neuroscience perspectives to real-world insights. A bestselling author and sought-after speaker, she helps Fortune 500 companies optimise performance by understanding how the brain works, transforming executive thinking and learning for greater efficiency and success.
Cyriel Kortleven is a global expert in creative thinking and change mindset. With two decades of experience, he helps professionals navigate transformation by inspiring innovative thinking, empowering action, and making change accessible, practical and energising for organisations worldwide.
Former Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) at IKEA Group, Steve served on IKEA’s Executive Group Management from 2011 to 2017. Widely respected as a leading sustainable business professional and a recognised authority on sustainability and climate change.
Jade Simmons is a world-class concert pianist turned transformational speaker who crafts unforgettable keynote experiences. Her mind-shifting presentations inspire leaders and teams to break boundaries, lead with purpose, and embrace their boldest, most impactful selves—making her an exceptional choice for corporate events worldwide.
Mark Pollock is a globally recognised explorer and speaker whose powerful story of resilience and innovation inspires audiences to embrace adversity, optimise performance and collaborate for impact.
Pellegrino Riccardi is world-renowned for his ability to inspire corporate audiences with powerful insights on communication, connection, cultural diversity, and leadership. He shows leaders and teams how to build authentic relationships across distance, devices, and differences — so they strengthen communities, deepen collaboration, and unlock human potential through the power of real connection.
Greg Orme is an award-winning author and keynote speaker specialising in leadership development and organisational transformation. He has delivered over 400 talks worldwide as a C-suite advisor, educator, coach, and facilitator.
An entrepreneur and activist who co-founded the pioneering organic chocolate company Green & Black’s. An inspiring, engaging and passionate speaker whose story is as fascinating to entrepreneurs as it is to wider business or educational audiences both in the UK and internationally.
Catherine DeVrye is a globally experienced business speaker and bestselling author who brings authentic leadership insight, humour, and substance to every stage. With a dynamic international career and a compelling personal story, she empowers audiences to drive performance, resilience, and service excellence.
