His name is a byword for revolutionary innovation and design. But how did James Dyson become Britain’s most celebrated inventor? He joins Matthew Syed to tell his remarkable story.

How did a Royal College of Art graduate risk everything to found and lead one of the most inventive technology companies in the world?

In this livestream In Conversation event hosted by bestselling author and Times columnist Matthew Syed, Dyson will share the story of his life as an inventor and entrepreneur and explain why he is convinced that the solution to the world’s problems will be met by young engineering minds. It is a compelling and dramatic tale, with many obstacles overcome. Dyson has always looked to the future, even setting up his own university to help provide the next generation of engineers and designers. For, as he says, ‘everything changes all the time, so experience is of little use’.

Famously, over a four-year period, James Dyson made 5,127 prototypes of the cyclonic vacuum cleaner that would transform the way houses are cleaned around the world. In devoting all his resources to iteratively developing the technology, he risked it all, but out of many failures and setbacks came hard-fought success. His products – including vacuum cleaners, hair dryers and hair stylers, and fans and purifiers – are not only revolutionary technologies, but design classics.

This event is presented in partnership with Julius Baer.