Ash Alexander-Cooper OBE

Keynote speaker Ash Alexander-Cooper OBE is a former Gurkha officer, combat helicopter pilot, and commander of specialist military units, including roles in the British and US Armed Forces. Honored with the appointment of OBE by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 2015, he is recognized for his significant contributions to military and national strategies, such as his role in designing the Afghan National Crisis Response Strategy.

During his extensive career, Alexander-Cooper spent a cumulative 82 months deployed in various challenging, complex, and hostile environments across the Balkans, the Middle East, Central Asia, and Afghanistan. Not only did he lead some of the world’s most skilled forces as a military commander, but he also excelled as an international elite athlete and an award-winning musician, bringing a unique blend of experiences to his endeavors.

Following his retirement from active duty, Alexander-Cooper transitioned to a leadership role in business, becoming a Senior Partner at McChrystal Group, where he focuses on leader development, talent management, and team-building solutions. He also joined Palantir Technologies, focusing on developing international strategic partnerships, and serves as a non-executive director at the geopolitical advisory firm Gatehouse Advisory Partners.

Drawing on his over 25 years of experience in managing and leading diverse multinational teams, Alexander-Cooper uses his military background to guide companies in enhancing team performance and business outcomes. He is renowned for his seminars and talks on leadership, resilience, and teamwork, where he shares principles from General Stanley McChrystal's 'Team of Teams' and his own experiences to highlight the importance of adaptable and interconnected teams.

In addition to his corporate roles, Alexander-Cooper is a passionate advocate for veterans and mental health, serving as an ambassador for the UK charity Remembered and its 'ThereButNotThere' campaign, and supporting several boards and charities focused on these causes. His commitment to leadership and resilience is further evidenced by his advisory roles to Fortune 10 and FTSE 100 companies, and his regular appearances in media discussing global crisis situations.

With a powerful combination of real-world experiences and theoretical insights, Alexander-Cooper assists businesses, leaders, and teams of all sizes to adapt, overcome adversity, and achieve peak performance, empowering them to fulfill their potential.