Some speakers inform. Some inspire. Big Ian Donaghy does both, and usually has the room in tears and laughter before the time is up.
We are delighted to welcome Big Ian to the Learning Disability Leaders Conference 2026, where he will be presenting:
MAGNIFICENTLY DIFFERENT!
Who is Big Ian?
Big Ian Donaghy has one of the most unusual CVs in health and social care, and he wears it with pride. His journey started as a bouncer in the north-east of England. It then moved through a career as an SEN specialist teacher, a national role running Crime Reduction in Secondary Schools for the Home Office, and eventually into life as an author and speaker known across the care sector.
He has spent 18 years teaching young people with additional needs and 15 years working in the world of care. That combination of classroom experience, frontline knowledge, and genuine storytelling ability is what makes him such a compelling speaker.
Big Ian works tirelessly to raise dementia awareness and combat loneliness and social injustice, always keeping the individual at the centre of everything he does.
A speaker who connects
Ian has earned a reputation in the sector for being knowledgeable, entertaining and genuinely inspirational. His emotive storytelling and warm sense of humour bring audiences with him completely: laughing, thinking and, yes, sometimes crying too.
He is not just someone who talks about change. He is, as he would say himself, a DOER.
Never Stop Drawing
Ian is also the author of ‘NEVER STOP DRAWING’, a book about a little boy who has ADHD and dyslexia. The book is currently used in over 100 schools across the country and is being adapted into a musical for theatres and schools.
It is a story that reflects everything Ian stands for: seeing people as individuals, celebrating difference, and refusing to let labels define what someone can achieve.
What to expect from his session
MAGNIFICENTLY DIFFERENT! promises to be one of the most memorable sessions of the day. Ian brings heart, humour and honesty to every stage he steps onto, and his message is one that sits at the very core of what good Learning Disability support should look like.
We will not give too much away. Just come along.
Join Big Ian at the conference
The Learning Disability Leaders Conference takes place online on Thursday 18 June 2026. It is completely free to attend, and every session will be recorded and made available afterwards.
Big Ian is one of 8 expert speakers joining us across the day. More announcements coming soon.
How to sign up
The conference is completely free. All you need to do is register using the link below, and we will send you everything you need ahead of the day.
We look forward to seeing you there.