Josh Valman

Josh Valman is an entrepreneur, engineer, and business leader specializing in rapid innovation, manufacturing, and supply chain management. He serves as CEO of RPDK, innovation advisor to the Royal Academy of Engineering, investment committee board member at the BDF, and board member of multiple engineering and innovation businesses. Valman's expertise includes engineering, supply chain transformation, and organizational change, with a focus on translating technical challenges into actionable business strategies.

Valman began his engineering career at age 10, designing his first robot for the BBC2 show "Robot Wars." Self-taught in engineering, he quickly progressed to designing complex components and systems, seeking out manufacturers to produce them. By age 13, he sent his designs and savings to a factory in China, and by 15, he was working as a freelance engineering and supply chain consultant, managing international conference calls after school. At 17, after being dismissed due to his age, Valman founded RPD International, a company dedicated to bridging the gap between ideas and mass production.

This practical experience led to the creation of RPD International, which helps corporations accelerate product development cycles and drive innovation in sectors such as consumer electronics, medical devices, and industrial equipment. RPD supported over 100 research and development departments worldwide, including companies like Vodafone, Air New Zealand, and Unilever. The company operated a global network, leveraging a distributed creativity model that brought together expertise from engineering, design, and the arts. RPD International was later acquired and became RPDK, part of the Kinara International manufacturing group.

Valman returned to "Robot Wars" in later series with Team Rapid, focusing on extreme design. In addition to his business ventures, he advises several committees at the Royal Academy of Engineering, multiple startups, and investment committees. He has collaborated with organizations ranging from large corporations such as Carlsberg, Unilever, and GSK to startups launching global products, emphasizing the importance of people and organizational change in driving innovation.

As a keynote speaker, Valman addresses topics including agile manufacturing, accelerated innovation, and supply chain transformation. He is known for breaking down complex processes into accessible concepts, helping audiences apply agility and efficiency in product development. Valman is critical of overused innovation terminology, focusing instead on practical insights that organizations of all sizes can implement. His presentations provide audiences with a grounded understanding of what it takes to build, scale, and sustain innovation in today's business environment.