Ian Windle

Ian Windle is an award-winning keynote speaker, leadership coach and Amazon best-selling author who has inspired thousands of leaders across the world. With over 130 speaker sessions delivered to Vistage CEO groups in the UK, Canada and the US, Ian is known for his ability to challenge, engage and energise audiences. His TEDx talk ‘Why You Should Have an Unreasonable Dream’, has been viewed more than 40,000 times and captures the essence of his speaking philosophy: to empower people to achieve what once seemed impossible. His biggest achievement to date is the publication of his book, ‘The Leadership Map’, which became an Amazon No.1 Best Seller in Entrepreneurship.

Ian’s early career was shaped by 16 years at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, where he worked in London, Hong Kong, Lisbon, Berlin, Brussels, The Hague, Oslo, Stockholm and Rome. Rising through roles such as Senior Consultant and Political Officer, he developed skills in diplomacy, cultural awareness and leadership in high-pressure environments. During this time, he also headed graduate recruitment, introducing assessment centres and influencing long-term policy. Keen to develop academically, Ian gained an MBA from Henley Business School, specialising in strategic marketing, alongside a Diploma in Marketing, and later an Executive and Corporate Coaching Diploma (ILM7). These experiences laid the groundwork for his transition into business leadership and professional speaking.

In the corporate world, Ian became Managing Director of Celemi UK, where he also served as Head of Global Consulting, leading international accounts with organisations including HSBC, J Sainsbury and Toyota Europe. In 2006, he founded his own leadership consultancy, and since then has worked with CEOs and executives across multiple industries. His impact as a speaker has been recognised through several honours, including Vistage International's Most In-Demand New Speaker Award and multiple Outperforming Speaker Awards from Vistage. Alongside speaking, Ian co-hosts the Gritty Leaders Podcast, where he interviews entrepreneurs, CEOs, and thought leaders on the realities of leadership. 

Today, Ian is one of the UK’s most respected leadership speakers, offering practical strategies alongside powerful storytelling. At a time when organisations face constant transformation, Ian helps leaders look beyond the obvious, embrace challenge and create a culture where people can thrive. His sessions are not only inspiring but also deeply practical, leaving audiences motivated to act and ready to achieve extraordinary results.