Speakers
Major Phil Ashby
Phil Ashby is a genuine hero. His autobiography ‘Unscathed’ (published by Macmillan in May 2002) rocketed into the bestseller list and is now being made into a major feature film with Hollywood giants, Miramax. Colin Farrell is to play the part of Phil Ashby and filming has started. While serving in the Royal Marines he volunteered for a 6-month tour with the United Nations as a Peace Keeper in war-torn Sierra Leone. The mission was brought to a violent end when the rebels restarted the country’s civil war. Phil led the escape of the Western soldiers in captivity on a daring and dramatic race to freedom through the hostile jungle. He was awarded the Queen’s Gallantry Medal for his actions.
Phil remains very humble about his accomplishments but as a speaker, he can really reach, move and entertain his audience. Phil is a powerful and charismatic speaker and natural storyteller who can adapt to suit any occasion. He has shown real flair on television and radio with his appearances on CH4’s Richard and Judy, CH5’s Gloria’s Open House, R4’s Midweek with Libby Purves, R5 Live’s Simon Mayo Show and numerous serious current affairs programmes. He is an accomplished journalist writing articles for a wide variety of publications including the Sunday Times, The Daily Mail and The Lancet. He has recently been commissioned by The National Geographic Magazine to write about his first climb since being ill – an attempt on the North Face of Mount Robson in the Canadian Rockies
“Please pass on our thanks and congratulations to Phil for an excellent keynote session. Everyone I spoke to thought that Phil told a captivating story – never trying to show himself as a hero but emphasising the teamwork and skills needed for successful results. It seemed to us he read his audience really well and moved the line of his story to the area that would keep their interest, whilst somehow managing to bring his experiences into what made a difference in whatever you were doing. A fantastic job and a great start to a very successful conference.” Mavis Grover, European Technology Hewitt Associates
