About

Here’s me in 30 seconds or so:

I’m an educator, leadership coach, and project builder based in NYC (originally from London).

I believe we all have the potential to go beyond: to do more original, creative and interesting things to further ourselves, the people around us, and the wider world.

I aim to help people do just that: to go from here to there.

There are 4 main areas that underpin what I’m interested in:

I’m exploring where these areas can be fused, remixed, and reimagined.

My eclectic background includes founding and successfully exiting two companies; managing the touring careers of creative artists performing in over 60 countries; working with a range of technology startups across health & fitness, sustainability, and ecommerce; building knowledge sharing systems at a Ministry of Defence technology lab; and promoting raves in the forests of South-East England.

More about all that here.

Outside of work some of the things I enjoy include:

  • Music (techno, post-punk, afrobeat and a lot more – I’m also considering coming out of DJ retirement…let’s see)
  • Boxing (southpaw)
  • Football/soccer (centre-back to play, Crystal Palace to watch – both are erratic and unglamorous, but sometimes pretty effective)
  • Traveling (wherever I can)
  • Improv & Standup Comedy (trying not to be a 3rd rate Larry David)
  • Yoga (frog, on a very good day)
  • Cycling (single speed)
  • Kayaking (slowly)
  • Reading (mainly non-fiction plus some Nordic noir)
  • Cooking (from the Gjelina cookbook)

Other (possibly) useful information: I’m a Gemini, INFJ, Enneagram Type 5, left-handed, and very tall.

And here are some of my favourite things right now.

Origin Story

Bio

(Shorter)

Howard is an educator, coach, and entrepreneur based in New York City.

He leads education programs for senior executives at IBM, Mastercard, UBS, and GE; is a leadership coach and advisor to entrepreneurs across the creative and digital industries; and produces a podcast series featuring guests from Airbnb, Adobe, and The New York Times.

Howard is also a mentor at The New School, a member of the advisory board of SXSW, runs workshops in partnership with Creative Mornings and Betaworks Studios, and is a certified professional coach through Leadership That Works in NYC.

Originally from London, Howard’s eclectic background includes founding and successfully exiting two media & entertainment companies; managing the touring careers of creative artists performing in over 60 countries; leading product management at ecommerce and sustainability startups; building knowledge sharing systems at a Ministry of Defence technology lab; and promoting raves in the forests of South-East England.

He regularly posts articles, slide decks, and mixtapes at www.howardgray.net

(Longer)

Howard is an entrepreneur, educator, and coach with a background spanning digital agencies, live entertainment, and technology startups.

His eclectic background includes founding, building and successfully exiting two companies, booking over 5000 live shows in 60 countries as a talent agent, managing complex enterprise software builds, and designing and delivering education programs for leading Fortune 100 companies, universities, and non-profits.

Starting his career in London’s digital advertising industry, as a creative technologist and producer he delivered high-profile campaigns and products for clients including Telefonica, Microsoft, and Audi.

In 2008 Howard launched Reprise Music Group, a full-service entertainment agency representing some of the world’s most exciting independent music talent for touring, publishing and PR. After both divisions of the company were acquired in 2012 he spent 3 years as a talent agent at Primary Talent in London before starting his own consultancy practice helping startups develop their people, products and partnerships.

Since moving to New York in 2017, some of Howard’s recent projects include designing and facilitating the curriculum for the City of New York’s AMP NYC accelerator program, advising on commercial strategy for an Asian entertainment brand, and leading product strategy for a sustainability startup.

Howard is also a professional coach working with entrepreneurs and executives in the creative & tech industries; a mentor with BUILD NYC and The New School; and is the host and producer of the ‘Tickets’ podcast, featuring guests from companies such as Airbnb, The New York Times, Sonar Festival and Duolingo.

Gear

Some of the technologies and tools I use in my work: