David Shukman

David Shukman is the inaugural Science Editor for BBC News, a landmark role created to provide expert analysis on the most pressing environmental and scientific developments of our time. Over a distinguished career at the BBC, he has served as World Affairs Correspondent, Defence Correspondent, and European Correspondent. His reporting has seen him broadcast from the furthest reaches of the globe, including the first live transmission from a British Antarctic base and a record-breaking television report just six hundred miles from the North Pole. With a geography degree from Durham University, David possesses the technical grounding needed to translate complex global crises for a mainstream audience. He spearheaded the BBC's coverage of pivotal events, ranging from the Fukushima nuclear disaster and the Gulf of Mexico oil spill to international climate summits. Now working as an independent consultant and advisor, he focuses on communicating the urgent reality of the ecological crisis while championing innovative solutions and sustainable progress. As a prolific author of titles such as An Iceberg as Big as Manhattan and Reporting Live from the End of the World, David combines field-based expertise with a talent for storytelling. He is a highly regarded choice for organisations seeking a speaker who can navigate the intricacies of ESG and climate change with the authority of a frontline witness. On stage, David Shukman is best known for talks on Science, Energy & Sustainability and Esg & Social Responsibility. Audiences leave with a clear, practical view of the subject rather than a generic overview — every keynote is shaped around the brief and the room. Their work resonates with leaders across Media & Broadcasting and Sustainability & Environment, where the themes translate directly into team decisions, customer experience and growth strategy. David Shukman is regularly booked for Conference Speaker, adapting tone, length and format to suit the event — from a 20-minute opener to a full conference keynote with Q&A. To check availability or request a tailored brief for your event, send an enquiry and we'll come back with fees, dates and a short summary of how David Shukman would approach your audience.