Graham Shapiro

Professor Graham Shapiro’s journey into design and entrepreneurship began with a simple belief, that visual communication can transform both businesses and lives. Over twenty-five years ago, he founded Graham Shapiro Design (GSD®), then a small graphic design studio that has since evolved into a leading creative agency serving global names such as Rolex, Samsung, Philips, Siemens, Fiat Chrysler, and Liverpool F.C.

Transitioning from traditional print design to the digital era was not easy. As technology advanced, Shapiro had to constantly learn, adapt, and rethink how design could connect people and brands. Guided by Charles Darwin’s words, “It is not the strongest that survives, but the one most adaptable to change”, he built a career defined by innovation and resilience.

That adaptability gave rise to two groundbreaking inventions: the Interloopmailer® and Reggie®. The Interloopmailer® reimagined direct marketing, creating a patented tactile and interactive mailer that allowed brands to engage audiences in a physical yet inventive way. Reggie®, meanwhile, brought innovation into education and safety. It began as the world’s first app enabling teachers to take attendance via mobile phones, then evolved into Reggie® Fire Drill, an automated GPS check-in system ensuring every individual is accounted for during emergency evacuations. Both inventions reflect Shapiro’s belief that innovation must always solve real problems and improve lives.

In 2009, a health crisis changed his outlook completely. After suffering a brain spasm and suspected bleed on the brain, Shapiro reassessed what success truly meant. The experience inspired him to create The Graham Shapiro Foundation in 2019, a charity dedicated to supporting mental health, wellbeing, and young entrepreneurs in the UK. For him, this initiative became his most meaningful project, proving that true success lies not in profit but in purpose, in helping others, sparking innovation, and normalising conversations around mental health.

Running GSD® for over two decades has taught Shapiro that longevity requires constant reinvention. From print to digital, local to global, static visuals to interactive experiences, his agency has evolved alongside technology, staying ahead through curiosity and courage. Yet even amid business growth, Shapiro remains devoted to education. As Visiting Professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the University of Westminster, Professor in Practice at the University of Dundee, and Ambassador of Innovation for the University of Cambridge, he shares his experiences with the next generation. Teaching, he says, keeps him grounded, the questions and perspectives of students remind him that innovation begins with curiosity. Drawing on insights from his studies under the late Professor Clayton Christensen at Harvard Business School, Shapiro combines academic theory with practical experience to mentor future innovators.

Recognised as a Fellow of the Chartered Society of Designers, the Chartered Institute of Marketing, and the Royal Society of Arts, as well as a Freeman of the City of London and three-time finalist for GB Entrepreneur of the Year, Shapiro values these distinctions not as accolades but as responsibilities, reminders to uphold excellence and use success to inspire others.

To emerging entrepreneurs, his advice is clear: be driven by purpose, not just profit. “In my early years, I was scared of failure and obsessed with success,” he reflects. “I’ve learnt that failure isn’t the opposite of success, it’s part of the journey toward it.” Each obstacle, he believes, builds character and resilience. Equally, he urges young leaders to remain endlessly curious. “The moment you think you know everything is the moment you stop growing,” he says. Whether crafting a design or building a business, he asks: Does this solve a real problem? Does this add genuine value? If the answer is yes, pursue it relentlessly.

Shapiro also highlights the power of collaboration, surrounding oneself with people who think differently and aren’t afraid to challenge ideas. Innovation, he insists, rarely happens in echo chambers. Many of his best concepts have come from conversations with students, colleagues, and clients who dared to see things another way.

For Professor Shapiro, legacy is not measured in awards but in impact. Success becomes meaningful only when it lifts others and creates lasting value. Through GSD®, the Interloopmailer®, Reggie®, and The Graham Shapiro Foundation, he continues to bridge creativity with conscience, designing for purpose and building with humanity.

As he mentors the next wave of thinkers and creators, Shapiro remains guided by one principle: the future belongs to those who embrace change. His story is a testament to adaptability, empathy, and perseverance, and a reminder that visionary leadership is not about being the strongest or smartest, but about evolving, caring, and never stopping the pursuit of meaningful innovation.