Chris Ashford
Transform leadership and decision-making under pressure with Chris Ashford, speaker and military leadership expert. Chris works with executives to build resilient teams and optimise performance, delivering battle-tested frameworks for organisations including the RAF and major pharmaceutical companies.
London, United Kingdom
Enquire Now
Send us your event details
.svg){kind=icon}
With experience serving directly under Her Majesty and commanding artillery units in various global theatres, including Afghanistan, Chris brings a unique perspective to the corporate world.
His journey has taken him through roles that few encounter, from leading complex operations in combat zones to coordinating sensitive military movements and evacuations. As a former Executive Officer to military Generals and an Artillery Officer, Chris has honed his ability to make decisive actions under extreme pressure, successfully navigating complex situations, including military judicial proceedings.
Chris's expertise has significantly impacted organisations at the highest levels. He has optimised RAF early-service retention programmes and transformed employee wellbeing initiatives in major pharmaceutical companies, leading to reduced sick days and improved staff retention. He has worked with over 1,500 individuals on performance enhancement, alongside coaching for prestigious institutions like the Behavioural Insights Team, with a commitment to fostering both individual and organisational success.
As a dedicated father and husband, Chris understands the importance of balancing professional performance with personal well-being. This perspective informs his approach to sustainable success and energy management, which he shares with executives and teams worldwide.
Chris's unique skills are due to his combination of high-stakes military experience and a practical understanding of contemporary corporate challenges. His frameworks for building resilient teams, maintaining peak performance, and making critical decisions have been tested in environments where failure is not an option. Through his speaking and coaching, Chris translates these hard-won lessons into actionable strategies for business leaders aiming for exceptional results.
Topics, Sessions And Talks
Resilience is not just about surviving adversity - it’s about thriving under pressure. Drawing from military experience, including commanding soldiers in Afghanistan and working directly under Her Majesty The Queen, Chris Ashford reveals the battle-tested strategies that ensure high performance in any environment. Attendees will gain actionable insights on mental toughness, stress management and adaptive leadership - skills forged in the most demanding conditions and tailored for the modern corporate world.
In both combat and business, success hinges on the ability to make decisive choices under pressure. With experience in high-stakes military operations, executive leadership and strategic decision-making, Chris Ashford translates battlefield-tested methodologies into boardroom success. This session equips leaders with the tools to assess risk, act with confidence and navigate complex challenges with clarity - ensuring they stay ahead in fast-moving, high-pressure environments.
Executives operate in a highly demanding environment where mental and physical endurance is non-negotiable. Drawing from a career in the British Army, including high-intensity operations and elite performance coaching, Chris Ashford provides a framework for sustainable stamina. This session covers energy management, strategic recovery, and performance optimisation - giving leaders the tools to maintain peak output without burnout.
Elite military teams succeed because they operate with trust, discipline and accountability. As a former military commander and executive coach, Chris Ashford brings first-hand experience in cultivating high-performance teams that deliver under pressure. This session unpacks the leadership principles behind military cohesion and translates them into practical strategies for building a culture of excellence, resilience, and execution in corporate teams.
The most important battle is often the one within. Having trained, led, and coached individuals in some of the world’s most demanding environments, Chris Ashford understands how self-talk shapes performance. This session explores how executives can harness the power of mindset, self-discipline, and mental framing to drive success. By mastering inner dialogue, leaders can unlock resilience, confidence, and sustained high performance.
Burnout is not a badge of honour - it's a leadership failure. Having operated in extreme environments where endurance and decision-making are critical, Chris Ashford understands the fine line between high performance and burnout. This session provides practical strategies for achieving long-term success without compromising health, wellbeing or personal life. Attendees will leave with a blueprint for balancing ambition with sustainability, ensuring they lead with energy, clarity, and resilience.
.svg)
Book
.svg)
.svg)
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about booking an expert speaker, facilitator, host or entertainment for your event.
- If you'd like to book one of our expert speakers, email us at hello@peptalk.com, send us a chat message or give us a call, and we’ll help you out.
- We’ll take your event details — topic, audience, budget, date, and location — and create a custom speaker proposal for you within 48 hours.
- If you already have someone in mind, that’s okay too; just let us know their name! Even if they aren't listed publicly on our website, we have a huge network and work with almost everyone.
- Once you've reviewed our speaker propsal and have selected and expert shortlist, we'll double check availability and fees with your chosen expert.
- You're welcome to have a chemistry call with the speaker before making the final decision, too.
- Next, we'll send out contracts to confirm the booking. One of our experienced event producers will liase with both you and the talent on the finer details, and arrange travel if necessary, taking the stress off your plate.
Not necessarily. While the speakers listed on our website may not have worked with PepTalk in the past, they are recognized professionals in the industry and known to engage in similar events and engagements. We work with a wide variety of speaker agents and talent agencies to ensure we have the best selection of speakers, hosts, comedians and entertainers available.
We do not accommodate requests for birthday messages or any other personal, non-commercial contact with the speakers, comedians or entertainers.
We work with speakers across a variety of fee ranges, giving you the flexibility to choose someone who fits your event's needs. Virtual keynote fees in the UK and Europe typically start at £2,000, while in-person top-tier speakers can reach £25,000. In the US, virtual in-person fees range from $5,000 to over $100,000, depending on the speaker and format, such as after-dinner talks, conference keynotes, Q&As, or podcasts. Comedians generally start at £1,500 or $2,000 for a 20-minute set.
Our goal is to help you find the speaker who best matches your event’s goals and budget. We take the time to understand your event, objectives, and audience to recommend the right fit. The most expensive option isn’t always the best one, and our priority is finding the ideal speaker or expert for your needs; not the highest-priced one.
Reach out for personalised recommendations and detailed information on specific speaker fees. We’re here to offer a tailored service and are always happy to discuss your unique requirements!
There’s no additional cost for our services beyond the speaker fee — simply contact us to find the right speaker for your next business or team event. We can also work with your corporate procurement team to negotiate favourable long-term rates, simply email hello@getapeptalk.com for more information.
Partnering with PepTalk means elevating your events with our curated roster of top motivational speakers, industry experts, delivering punchy keynotes that leave a lasting impact. From talent selection, to contracts and logistics, we handle it all. We have global expert network, with over 3000 speakers from over 33 countries on our line-up.
We also provide a full range of talent, from event hosts and moderators to interviewers and corporate entertainment, ensuring your event’s success from start to finish.
PepTalk workshops are interactive learning experiences for leaders at all levels, blending theory with practical insights from industry experts. These programs, led by experienced facilitators, are designed to drive real mindset changes and equip participants with actionable skills. Workshops can be customised to meet your organisation's specific needs. Explore our workshop examples and contact us today to learn how your team can benefit.
If you notice something that needs attention or have any queries regarding an expert speaker profile, feel free to email us at experts@getapeptalk.com, and we’ll be happy to assist.