Chris Gibson

Chris Gibson MBE is an internationally respected organisational development adviser, high-performance coach and former British Army Colonel with more than thirty-four years of distinguished service. As Co-Founder of Growth Pod Ltd, he helps organisations around the world unlock performance, strengthen culture and build resilient, high-trust teams. Known for his pragmatic, human-centred approach, Chris draws on a lifetime of leading in extreme environments to equip executives, athletes and public-sector leaders with the skills needed to perform at the highest level. His unique blend of military leadership, innovation expertise and behavioural insight has made him a sought-after keynote speaker and strategic adviser.

Chris’s military career took him to some of the world’s most challenging environments. Beginning as a Warrant Officer in the Ministry of Defence in 1984, he went on to lead Special Forces teams and high-risk protection operations across the Middle East, Africa and the Balkans. His work included eighteen months in Beirut supporting efforts to secure the release of Terry Waite, a year in Sarajevo capturing indicted war criminals, and sixteen months in Sierra Leone managing presidential security during civil war. He later led close-protection operations for world leaders, including the personal security of Prime Minister Tony Blair. His expertise in training and organisational culture grew during his time as Chief Instructor at the Army Medical Services Training Centre, where he co-developed a training methodology now recognised internationally by the US, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand militaries.

Alongside operational leadership, Chris has held senior strategic roles within defence and government. He played a pivotal role during the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, where he trained and deployed more than one thousand two hundred military and NHS volunteers. His achievements have earned him numerous honours, including the MBE, the Health Service Journal Special Recognition Award, and multiple innovation awards from IdeasUK and the Ministry of Defence. In recent years, he has advised the Ministry of Justice, contributed to reducing violence across Britain’s most volatile prisons, and supported the London Ambulance Service’s successful exit from Special Measures.

Today, Chris combines his field experience with a deep understanding of organisational psychology to help teams perform with clarity, discipline and purpose. He has advised the Football Association, the Bank of England, Bristol Rovers Football Club and the College of Policing, and has delivered keynotes for global organisations including Microsoft. Whether coaching senior leaders or guiding culture transformation, Chris brings authenticity, insight and a proven track record of helping people and organisations thrive under pressure.