Doug Manuel

Biography

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Doug Manuel is a speaker and performer specialising in fostering purpose driven engagement and collaboration. He has performed at TED Global and with Oprah, and for 3 decades he has been delivering interactive virtual and in-person programs for Fortune 500 companies and leading business schools around the globe.

Doug Manuel’s clients include HBS, The World Economic Forum, LVMH, Google and literally hundreds of others. The foundation of his work draws on the timeless wisdom of rural Africa where he has traveled and lived for more than 25 years pursuing his passion for West African music and culture.

Doug Manuel is the creator of ‘Do You Speak Djembe?’ an award-nominated stage show (Chicago JEFF Awards). An ex-BBC documentary producer of 8 years, he has recently returned to film-making to produce a documentary for Netflix (BEATS AS ONE) about the cure to the loneliness and isolation epidemic. His not for profit ‘Lighting Up Lives’, encourages partnerships with rural villagers across West Africa inspiring and supporting local action to solve local problems putting words into action.

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Beats As One – The Solo 

A keynote for any event where you want to engage, energise and unite your audience from the outset. The Solo is dynamic, interactive and fun, using the BEATS framework (Breath, Energy, Agency, Trust and Soul) to spark individual leadership and collective awareness.

Beats As One – The Drums 

Perfect for when you want your people to truly feel what it means to collaborate, listen, and co-create. Everyone gets a drum or percussion instrument and is guided to move from chaos to cohesion, from hearing their own beat to playing… as one.

Beats As One – The Show 

An uplifting and unforgettable experience that brings everyone together through music, rhythm, and storytelling. Featuring live musicians from West Africa and Europe, this show is about celebration, diversity, and collective expression—ideal for gala evenings or conference finales.

Testimonials

Doug is one of those rare people who can immediately create a space where people feel safe, open and able to connect. His energy is infectious and his message is powerful.

– Tanya Accone, UNICEF Innovation

Doug helped our team find a common language – not through words, but through rhythm, energy and shared emotion. A truly transformational experience

– Thierry Muller, Country President, Novartis Switzerland

Doug’s keynote was one of the highlights of our event. He brought energy, insight and a depth of humanity that resonated across the entire audience.

– Katja Schipperheijn, Learning Strategist & Author

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