Ian Windle

Ian Windle is an award-winning leadership speaker, Vistage Chair, TEDx presenter, and Amazon best-selling author who has inspired thousands of leaders around the world. With over two decades of experience in leadership development and executive coaching, Ian is renowned for his dynamic, engaging style and his ability to help people achieve what once seemed impossible. He is the author of ‘The Leadership Map: The Gritty Guide to Strategy That Works and People Who Care’, which became an Amazon No.1 Best Seller in Entrepreneurship, and creator of The Leadership Map programme, designed to empower middle and senior managers to lead with clarity, purpose, and impact.

Ian’s career began with sixteen years at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, where he served as a Senior Consultant and Political Officer in postings across Europe and Asia, including London, Hong Kong, Lisbon, Berlin, Brussels, The Hague, Oslo, Stockholm, and Rome. This international experience gave him a deep understanding of leadership in complex and multicultural environments. He later gained an MBA from Henley Business School, a Diploma in Marketing, and an Executive and Corporate Coaching Diploma (ILM7), credentials that underpin his evidence-based and practical approach to leadership development.

Following his government service, Ian became Managing Director of Celemi UK and Head of Global Consulting, working with organisations such as HSBC, J Sainsbury, and Toyota Europe. In 2006, he founded his own consultancy, IanWindle.com, and has since coached CEOs and executive teams across a wide range of industries. Since 2012, he has chaired Vistage CEO peer groups and delivered more than 130 speaker sessions for leaders in the UK, Canada, and the United States. His excellence on stage has been recognised through numerous accolades, including Vistage’s Most In Demand New Speaker Award and multiple Outperforming Speaker Awards.

Ian’s TEDx talk, “Why You Should Have an Unreasonable Dream“, has reached tens of thousands of viewers worldwide and captures his core philosophy of resilience, ambition, and purpose. As co-host of the ‘Gritty Leaders’ Podcast, he continues to share insights on strategy, leadership, and human performance. Known for his authenticity, warmth, and thought-provoking storytelling, Ian helps leaders unlock their potential, navigate complexity, and lead with courage and conviction in a changing world.