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A former British Army Colonel, Chris Gibson MBE is a globally recognised expert in leadership, organisational culture, and high performance team development.
With over three decades of experience leading elite teams in some of the world’s most challenging environments, Chris has dedicated his career to understanding what drives success—and what holds organisations back. His unique insights into culture, leadership, and innovation have transformed organisations across sectors, from healthcare and government to sports and business.
A Proven Track Record in High-Stakes Environments
Chris’s career has been defined by his ability to adapt military leadership principles to civilian contexts, creating cultures of excellence and resilience. His operational experience spans the globe, including:
• 18 months in Beirut as part of a joint Special Forces team leading efforts to secure the release of Terry Waite.
• 12 months in Sarajevo as part of a Special Forces team tasked with capturing indicted war criminals.
• 16 months in Sierra Leone managing the President’s personal security during the civil war.
• Leading Close Protection operations in the Middle East during the 2nd Gulf War, including the protection of world leaders such as Prime Minister Tony Blair.
These experiences honed Chris’s ability to build trust, foster collaboration, and drive performance in high-pressure environments—skills he has since applied to transform organisations across industries.
Pioneering Innovation in Healthcare
Chris’s work in healthcare exemplifies his ability to adapt military precision and discipline to civilian challenges. As Chief Instructor of the Army Medical Services Training Centre, the world’s largest medical simulation centre, he co-developed a training and assurance methodology that has been adopted as international best practice by the militaries of the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
His leadership was instrumental in combating the Ebola Virus Disease in West Africa, where he trained and deployed over 1,200 military and NHS volunteers. For this ground-breaking work, Chris was appointed an MBE and awarded the Health Service Journal Special Recognition Award. He was also named International Innovator of the Year 2017-18 by Ideas UK.
Transforming Organisational Culture
Chris’s expertise in cultural transformation extends beyond healthcare. He has been called upon to tackle some of the most complex cultural challenges in the UK, including:
• Reducing violence in prisons: Seconded to the Ministry of Justice, Chris worked with then Minister Rory Stewart to address the culture of violence in the 10 most volatile prisons in Britain.
• Revitalising London Ambulance Service: Tasked by the Department of Health, Chris supported the service’s journey out of Special Measures by reshaping its culture and operational practices.
• Elevating sports performance: As a Non-Executive Director at Bristol Rovers, Chris played a key role in the club’s promotion following relegation. He has also contributed to the Football Association’s High-Performance Module for the Pro Licence.
A Trusted Advisor to Leaders
Chris’s ability to shape strategy and culture has made him a sought-after advisor to C-suite executives and senior leaders. He has worked with the Bank of England, the College of Policing Strategic Command Course, and numerous businesses to develop high-performance cultures that deliver results. His keynote speeches on leadership, cultural development, and innovation are in high demand at leading academic institutions and corporate events worldwide.
Chris’s mission is clear: To help leaders at all levels understand the power of culture and equip them with the tools to create environments where people and organisations thrive.
In a world where innovation is both a necessity and a challenge, how do leaders cut through the noise and make decisions that drive progress? Drawing inspiration from the high-stakes environment of the West African Ebola crisis and other major projects, this keynote explores how innovation under pressure is not just possible but transformative when leaders embrace clarity, structure, and decisive action.
What does it take to lead teams to extraordinary success in the most challenging environments? Drawing on over three decades of experience leading elite teams in high-stakes military, healthcare, and corporate settings, Chris Gibson MBE reveals the secrets to building high-performance cultures that thrive under pressure.
In this powerful keynote, Chris shares hard-earned lessons from the frontlines—whether securing the release of hostages in Beirut, combating Ebola in West Africa, or transforming volatile prisons in the UK. He distills military precision, resilience, and adaptability into actionable strategies for leaders in any industry.
Discover how to:
Chris’s insights will equip you with the tools to transform your team’s potential into measurable results, proving that the principles of elite leadership can be applied anywhere—from the battlefield to the boardroom.
What separates high-performing organisations from the rest? It’s not just strategy or resources—it’s culture. Drawing on his unparalleled experience leading elite teams in some of the world’s most challenging environments, Chris Gibson MBE reveals the key steps to creating a workplace culture that drives success, innovation, and resilience.
From commanding specialist operations in war zones to transforming volatile prisons and revitalising the London Ambulance Service, Chris has consistently proven that culture is the foundation of high performance. In this insightful keynote, he shares actionable strategies to:
Chris’s proven framework will equip you with the tools to transform your workplace culture into a competitive advantage. Prepare to leave with a clear roadmap to building a winning culture that not only achieves goals but also inspires loyalty, innovation, and long-term success.
Change is inevitable, but how we respond to it defines our success. Drawing on his extraordinary career leading teams through some of the most volatile and unpredictable environments—from war zones to global health crises—Chris Gibson MBE shares powerful insights on how to not only survive change but thrive in it. In this compelling keynote, Chris reveals practical strategies to:
Chris’s unique experiences include turning around a professional football club from relegation to automatic promotion the following season, showcasing his ability to inspire teams to achieve the extraordinary. Whether navigating organisational restructuring, market shifts, or personal transitions, Chris’s lessons from the frontlines—whether in Sierra Leone, West Africa during the Ebola crisis, or volatile UK prisons—will equip you with the tools to lead with courage and clarity.
Prepare to leave inspired and empowered to turn change into your greatest competitive advantage.
What does it take to build true resilience and wellbeing in the workplace? For Chris Gibson MBE, the answer is deeply personal. As a widower raising two young children, a recent cancer survivor, and a leader who has navigated some of the world’s most challenging environments, Chris brings a unique perspective on overcoming adversity and fostering strength—both individually and collectively.
In this deeply moving and practical keynote, Chris shares his journey of resilience and the strategies he’s used to build wellbeing in high-pressure workplaces, from war zones and healthcare crises to corporate boardrooms. He reveals how to:
Chris’s story is a testament to the power of resilience, and his strategies are grounded in real-world experience. Whether you’re leading a team, managing change, or striving to create a healthier workplace, this keynote will leave you with actionable tools to build a culture of wellbeing and resilience that lasts.
Chris has come into our organisation and been a fantastic influencer in helping us grow as leaders. He has helped us forge our principles on a group effort towards excellence. He is a man who has solutions to most problems. He has taught us all so much in a short space of time. A wonderful mentor.”
Chris is an inspirational speaker. His experience showed just what can be achieved through innovation in healthcare. The clear link between theory and practice was brilliant. The audience was inspired by his exceptional leadership and achievements.”
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