Dan Allum
Award-winning Playwright, Speaker & Coach
Romani Gypsy who taught himself to read
Later graduated with a BA (Hons) degree
Plays broadcast by the BBC
Screenplays developed with the BBC, ITV & Left Bank Pictures
Work presented at the National Theatre, Royal Court & Royal Opera House
Creator of A Road of My Own
A cultural project exploring identity, belonging and narrative
“Your story is the most powerful navigation tool you possess.
Not the version others told about you, but the deeper story unfolding beneath your life. When you learn to read its patterns, turning points, wounds and strengths, it becomes a compass for the road ahead.
Through writing, speaking and coaching, I invite individuals and organisations to explore the stories shaping identity, belonging and direction, and discover the clarity and courage to walk their own road.”
Dan Allum
A Road of My Own
Identity, Belonging and the Courage to Choose Your Path
A Road of My Own. It is a living cultural project exploring how identity is created, and how it can be consciously redefined.
At its centre is a powerful, story-led keynote I designed for universities, cultural institutions, adult learning environments and leadership programmes seeking depth rather than slogans.
Drawing on my journey from Romani Gypsy roots to becoming an award-winning playwright and screenwriter, with work spanning theatre, television, education and culture, including collaborations with the BBC, the Royal Court Theatre and the University of Cambridge, I invite audiences to reconsider the narratives they have inherited and the ones they still have the power to write.
The keynote is also available as an extended workshop or multi-session engagement, designed to provoke reflection, deepen awareness and encourage conscious leadership.
“Rise above yourself and grasp the world”
ARCHIMEDES
A Growing Body of Work
The project spans:
- Memoir in development
- Rehearsed reading at the East Anglian Storytelling Festival (2026)
- Companion reflective eBook, A Road of Your Own (2026)
- Stage adaptation in development in partnership with Cambridge Junction, leading toward a live theatre production at the Food Museum, Stowmarket, Suffolk, in 2028.
- Major public exhibition in development for 2028
Organisations engaging with the keynote become part of a wider, evolving cultural conversation around identity, belonging and transformation.
Extend the Impact
Many organisations choose to deepen the keynote experience through facilitated workshops exploring:
- Identity and narrative awareness
- From conditioning to conscious action
- Resilience as adaptive identity
- Story as a tool for leadership and growth
Half-day and full-day formats available.
*Workshops can be delivered independently or alongside the keynote.
Work With Dan
To host a keynote, commission a workshop or explore collaboration:
Dan is passionate about inspiring people.
Teaching himself to read and becoming an award-winning writer opened the doors to a whole new world.
Now he wants to help people free themselves and say: I CAN DO MORE!
RECENT INSPIRATIONAL CLIENTS
TESTIMONIALS
“The delegates were captivated and awed by Dan’s enormous achievements while at the same time finding his practical step by step approach to achieving our full potential invaluable.”
“BRILLIANT and very inspiring!! A great talk – beautifully structured without a word wasted. The entire audience was engaged from Dan’s first word to the last.”
“I loved Dan’s talk, what struck me most was his authenticity. His story is extremely compelling. He was calm, cool and composed and phrased sentences with great impact. His mission is very honourable as he is all about being at the service of others and inspiring them. Hats off to you Dan!”
“A thought-provoking, incredibly inspiring talk from Dan. His relaxed demeanour put the audience at ease immediately and the content kept them engaged and wondering which direction it would lead until the end. They were not disappointed!”
“Dan, many thanks for all your help with training our senior managers here at Shell. Your professionalism and extremely high standards really took them to a totally new level of presentation delivery.”
“Adds a new dimension to public speaking. Fantastic… truly inspirational… I was in tears at the end.”
AWARDS
2018 – Bus Stop wins award at Ink Drama Festival
2011 – Atching Tan – shortlisted for the BBC’s Imison and Audio Drama awards
2004 – Film – A Gypsy’s Wish short-listed for Institute of Public Relations award
2003 – Winner of a Community Champions award for excellence
2000 – The Boy’s Grave screenplay won invite to Scottish Screen’s Opening Shots
1997 – First theatre play won 4 Awards at the Brantham Play Festival
1990 – Winner of silver and bronze medals for acting from the Lamda Arts Academy
PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY
GET IN TOUCH
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