Phil Ashby has faced down armed militias in the jungles of West Africa, polar bears on the Arctic ice and life-threatening illness at home – and walked away from each with a deeper understanding of courage, leadership and resilience. A former Royal Marines officer, Phil was deployed to Sierra Leone... Read more
Phil Ashby has faced down armed militias in the jungles of West Africa, polar bears on the Arctic ice and life-threatening illness at home – and walked away from each with a deeper understanding of courage, leadership and resilience.
A former Royal Marines officer, Phil was deployed to Sierra Leone as a UN peacekeeper during the brutal civil war. When a rebel faction turned against him and his team, he led a daring escape through the jungle – an experience that earned him the Queen’s Gallantry Medal, inspired his bestselling memoir Unscathed, and later became the focus of a TV documentary and feature film (in pre-production).
But Phil’s greatest test came not under enemy fire, but in a hospital bed back home, when injuries sustained on the mission led to sudden and total paralysis from the chest down. Told he might never walk again, Phil began a long and painful recovery. True to form, he filled the months with purpose, earning two Master’s degrees and plotting his next challenge.
That challenge came in the form of the North Pole, which Phil has skied to twice. He retrained as a civilian mountain guide, eventually earning the rare and elite IFMGA certification and founding Elite Mountain Guides. His mission today: to help others reach the summits they never thought possible, whether on a mountain or in life.
Now based in Dorset, Phil speaks around the world on resilience, adaptive leadership, and thriving under pressure. He has addressed audiences ranging from the United Nations to international businesses and charities. His story resonates with anyone facing change, uncertainty, or the limits of their own endurance.
Still driven by challenge and growth, Phil continues to guide alpine clients, volunteers with A Band of Brothers (mentoring young men emerging from the justice or care system), serves as a school governor, and recently began a new battle – against bladder cancer – with the same calm determination that’s defined his life so far.
In his spare time, he sets cryptic crosswords, skis with his wife and two daughters, and plans to DJ commercially at least once before he retires.
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You can book Phil Ashby through London Speaker Bureau by submitting the enquiry form on this page or calling our team. One of our consultants will respond promptly with Phil's current availability, speaking fees and any specific requirements for your event.
Phil Ashby's speaking fees depend on the event format (in-person or virtual), the location, the length of the engagement and the level of customisation required. Please contact London Speaker Bureau for an up-to-date fee quote for Phil tailored to your event.
Phil Ashby speaks on Communication, Conflict Resolution, Leadership, Leadership & Motivation, Motivation. Talks can be shaped around your audience, industry and strategic objectives - share your event brief with London Speaker Bureau and we will work with Phil to align the content with your delegates and goals.
London Speaker Bureau can book Phil Ashby for events worldwide, subject to Phil's schedule. Please send us your event date, location and format and we will confirm availability and handle travel and logistics on your behalf.
Virtual and hybrid keynotes are now a standard part of the speaking industry. Please contact London Speaker Bureau to confirm whether Phil Ashby is available to deliver a virtual session for your event and on which platform (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, a bespoke studio or your own).
Most keynote speeches run between 45 and 60 minutes, often followed by a 15-30 minute Q&A. Other formats - shorter conference slots, panel appearances or longer workshop sessions - may also be possible. Share your agenda with London Speaker Bureau and we will confirm what Phil can accommodate.
London Speaker Bureau will brief Phil Ashby on your audience profile, sector and objectives so the keynote can be shaped around your event. The level of customisation possible depends on the speaker and the lead time - contact us with your brief and we will confirm what Phil can offer.
Phil Ashby delivers keynotes in English. This profile may not list every language available; ask London Speaker Bureau to confirm. If you require simultaneous interpretation or a multilingual format, please mention this in your enquiry and London Speaker Bureau will arrange it for you.
Phil Ashby's areas of expertise include Communication, Conflict Resolution, Leadership, Leadership & Motivation, Motivation. To get a clear sense of Phil's style, credentials and how they engage an audience, please review the biography, popular talks and any videos or testimonials shown on this page, or request a detailed speaker brief from London Speaker Bureau.
Phil Ashby can be booked through London Speaker Bureau for corporate conferences, leadership events, internal team meetings, association gatherings and private client engagements where expertise in Communication, Conflict Resolution, Leadership, Leadership & Motivation, Motivation is relevant. Details of Phil's background and previous engagements are included in the biography above; contact us if you would like a more detailed list of past clients or case studies.
Beyond keynote speeches, many of the speakers on our roster also take part in workshops, executive masterclasses, panel discussions and fireside chats. Contact London Speaker Bureau with your preferred format and we will confirm what Phil Ashby is able to offer alongside or instead of a keynote.
We generally recommend enquiring at least three to twelve months in advance to secure your preferred date with Phil Ashby, particularly during peak conference seasons. Where possible we also accommodate shorter lead times - please contact London Speaker Bureau to check Phil's current availability for your dates.