David King

Former Special Representative for Climate Change to the Foreign Secretary, Head of the Climate Change Advisory Group & Fellow of the Royal Society

  • Former Brunner Professor of Physical Chemistry at the University of Liverpool
  • Former Master of Downing College, Cambridge & Fellow of St John’s College, Downing College & Queen’s College
  • Former Director of the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment
  • Former Chief Scientific Adviser to the UK Government & Head of the Government Office for Science

Discover David King’s biography of published work below.

The Hot Topic
The Hot Topic: How to Tackle Global Warming and Still Keep the Lights On
Energy, Transport & The Environment
Energy, Transport & the Environment

Sir David King is a preeminent figure in the battle for a more sustainable future, having worked a prolific career across government affairs and academia. Currently the Head of the Climate Crisis Advisory Group, David is best known for his former role as the Chief Scientific Adviser to the UK Government and the UK Government’s Special Representative for Climate Change to the Foreign Secretary. Pioneering action regarding climate change and sustainability, David is now following opportunities as a sustainability speaker – having addressed climate change at events such as COP26 and COP27.

Moving to the UK in the 1960s, David’s career in academia began as a Shell Scholar at Imperial College London, before becoming a Lecturer at the School of Chemical Sciences at the University of East Anglia. Proving his expertise in academia, David was later sought to become the Bruner Professor of Physical Chemistry at the University of Liverpool – teaching the next generation of chemists to follow in his footsteps. Passionate about education, David was also appointed as the President of the Association of University Teachers from 1976-77. Other prominent academic roles of David’s have included being the Professor of Physical Chemistry at the University of Cambridge, Master of Downing College, Director of the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment and Chancellor of the University of Liverpool.

Aside from his career in academia, David has committed his interests to government affairs. Appointed as the Chief Scientific Adviser to the UK Government and Head of the Government Officer for Science, David worked alongside Prime Ministers Gordon Brown and Tony Blair pioneering scientific policies – such as raising the government’s profile on climate change action. During his time working for the UK Government, David was largely responsible for creating the Energy Technologies Institute and the horizon scanning process that enabled the government to assess a variety of issues – from flooding and global warming to obesity. Other prominent roles of David’s have included being the Senior Science Advisor for UBS, the Chairman of the Future Cities Catapult and Leader of Independent SAGE.

Now hired as a sustainability speaker, David shares his deep-rooted passion for sustainability and the need to act against climate change. Stating that he sees ‘climate change as the greatest challenge facing Britain and the World in the 21st century’, David has formerly given evidence to the House of Commons about climate change and publishes reports that encompass curbing emissions and removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Aside from climate change, David is also an avid expert on energy, having strongly supported nuclear electricity generation in opposition to fossil fuels and spoken out about biofuels and low-carbon solutions. If you are looking for a passionate climate change and energy speaker to share their expertise at your next sustainability-themed event, don’t hesitate in hiring Sir David King today.

To enquire about David King for your event or corporate function, simply contact us via agent@sustainability-speakers.com or call a booking agent on 0207 1010 553.