The Centre for Army Leadership Podcast

Ash Alexander-Cooper OBE is a former specialist military unit colonel in the British Armed Forces, world-championship athlete, award-winning international musician and author of Mindful Soldier: Building Resilience to Overcome Life's Challenges. During a 22-year career Ash spent 82 months deployed leading some of the world’s most elite forces in complex and hostile environments, including the Balk...

In this episode we're joined by General Christopher Donahue. General Donahue has led Soldiers at all levels in Airborne, Ranger, Light and Mechanized units, including service with 3 divisions, the 75th Ranger Regiment and USASOC. He has deployed 20 times in support of operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, North Africa, and Eastern Europe. He now serves as Commander Allied Land Command and Comman...

Professor Alex Hill is the co-founder and Director of the Centre for High Performance. Author of Centennials: The 12 Habits of Great, Enduring Organisations, he’s spent 13 years researching great organisations. In this episode we explore how organisations can use leadership to stay relevant and effective, as well as what leadership lessons we can draw from great organisations including NASA, the N...

We're joined by Amy Turner, England Rugby player, former Head Coach of England Women’s U20’s, former Head Coach of the Harlequin's Women's programme and current Pathway Coach of the Harlequin's Men's programme.⁠ In this episode we explore the journey from player to coach, and the changes that come from transitioning into a leader. Amy also talks about the challenges that come with being a woman in...

We’re joined by Floyd Woodrow MBE DCM - soldier, author and business leader. After 4 years in The Parachute Regiment Floyd became one of the youngest individuals ever selected for the Special Air Service. Author of “Elite” and “The Warrior, The Strategist and You” Floyd has years of practical leadership experience in the military and business.   In this episode we explore the importance of knowing...

In this episode we’re joined by Major General Nick Cowley OBE General Officer Commanding Army Individual Training Command, Director Army Leadership and Commandant Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.   He draws on his experiences to emphasise the principle of “Serve to Lead” and highlights the inherent contradictions of leadership, as well as the importance of creating the right culture from the begi...

In this episode, we’re thrilled to welcome Sir Gareth Southgate, a renowned figure in English football and a symbol of leadership both on and off the pitch. Gareth is best known for his leadership as manager of the England men’s national football team from 2016 to 2024. Under his guidance, the team reached the semi-finals of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup, and th...

In this episode, we’re thrilled to welcome Reverend Michael Parker, the Chaplain General of the British Army. Reverend Parker has been dedicated to military chaplaincy for over 25 years, offering unwavering spiritual and pastoral support to soldiers. As Chaplain General, he plays a pivotal role in overseeing the spiritual and moral guidance of the Army, ensuring the well being of its personnel in...

In this episode, we’re thrilled to welcome Donna Verdi, a distinguished and award winning leader with over 23 years of experience in the financial services industry. Donna has led initiatives that enhance leadership development, talent management, and cultural transformation, collaborating with strategic partners, influencing senior leaders, and leading diverse teams to produce impactful leadershi...

This episode contains discussions of trauma, war, and emotional challenges faced by those in the military. If you or someone you know is affected by anything mentioned in this podcast and needs support, please search for "British Army Ask for Help." Listener discretion is advised. In part two of our conversation with Brian Wood MC, we delve into his life after the Army, exploring the incredible ch...

This episode contains discussions of trauma, war, and emotional challenges faced by those in the military. If you or someone you know is affected by anything mentioned in this podcast and needs support, please search for "British Army Ask for Help." Listener discretion is advised. In this special two-parter, we’re thrilled to welcome Brian Wood MC, a decorated British Army veteran, bestselling aut...

In this episode, we’re thrilled to welcome Professor Peter Hawkins, a distinguished figure in leadership development, executive coaching, and systemic team coaching. Peter’s career spans over four decades, during which he has made significant contributions to the field of organisational transformation. As an Emeritus Professor of Leadership at Henley Business School, University of Reading, and Cha...

In this episode, we’re honoured to welcome General Sir Michael Rose KCB CBE DSO QGM, a distinguished British Army officer and renowned leader. General Rose is best known for his leadership in special forces operations, peacekeeping missions, and military strategy, with a career spanning over three decades. His notable roles include commanding the SAS during the Iranian embassy siege, playing a cri...

We're kicking off an exciting new chapter for the Centre for Army Leadership podcast with a fresh rebrand, featuring more diverse and interesting guests and a bold new look! In this episode, we’re thrilled to welcome John Volanthen, a world record holding British cave diver and expert in underground exploration and rescue. John is best known for his pivotal role in the 2018 Tham Luang cave rescue...

In our 50th episode, temporary host Lieutenant Colonel David Love - former SO2 Leadership at the CAL speaks to internationally renowned leadership expert and author, René Carayol whose journey from Gambia to the boardrooms of global giants like Pepsi and Marks and Spencer gives him a unique perspective on leadership. We explore René's philosophy that leadership is about energising people towards a...

In this episode, temporary host Lieutenant Colonel David Love - former SO2 Leadership at the CAL, speaks with Professor Alexander Evans OBE, a distinguished academic and seasoned diplomat with a career spanning over two decades in both public service and academia. Currently a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Army Leadership, Professor Evans brings a wealth of experience and insight into th...

In this episode, our host Lt Colonel Dean Canham OBE speaks with retired Army Colonel Guy Deacon CBE, a leader with a remarkable military career spanning over three decades. Commissioned into the Queen’s Dragoon Guards in 1985, Guy held numerous regimental and staff appointments across the globe, including commanding the Army Foundation College and supporting efforts to build the Afghan National A...

In this episode, our host Lt Colonel Dean Canham OBE speaks with Major General Zac Stenning, the Director of Leadership for the British Army, and Commandant of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. With an illustrious career spanning nearly three decades, he has commanded forces from Platoon to Brigade across diverse and challenging environments, including Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Iraq, Afghanist...

In this episode, we’re thrilled to welcome Warren Gatland, the legendary Head Coach of the Welsh National Rugby team. With a remarkable career spanning both playing and coaching at the highest levels, Warren’s story is one of passion and dedication.    Born in New Zealand, Warren began his rugby journey on the fields of his homeland, eventually earning a place in the All Blacks. His transition int...

In this episode our host, Lieutenant Colonel Dean Canham OBE, speaks to bestselling author, speaker and leadership and high-performance consultant, James Kerr.    James has worked with elite teams around the world, across numerous sports, businesses and military units, developing their cultures and leadership in the pursuit of success at the very highest level. He is the author of the renowned glo...

In this episode we speak with Doctor Victoria Carr, Primary School Head Teacher, Army Reservist in the Intelligence Corps, and Centre for Army Leadership Senior Research Fellow. Combining her experience in leading in the education sector and as a military leader, Victoria provides a unique insight into how teams can benefit from leadership skills and experiences that transcend notably different en...

In this episode we speak to Sir Alex Younger KCMG, the former Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service. Prior to his six-year tenure as ‘C’, Sir Alex was the Head of Counter Terrorism and obtained many operational roles worldwide. His time at MI6 was preceded by a stint in the British Army - first as a private soldier and later as a commissioned officer in the Scots Guards.  We discuss Sir Alex’s...

In this episode we speak to Brigadier Jaish Mahan, who commissioned into the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) in 1994 and has served in roles spanning the medical profession. He has deployed on seven operational tours, including Kosovo, Sierra Leone, the Iraq war and Afghanistan three times. Brigadier Mahan has been an Army Reservist since his transition from the Regular Army in 2016, and was Deput...

In this episode we speak to former England cricketer, coach and now performance psychologist, Jeremy Snape. Jeremy's cricketing and coaching success at the highest levels proceeded a career which has branched out into performance psychology in other sports and the business world to. He offers a captivating perspective on how leadership is about doing the right thing, which is well aligned to the A...

In this episode, we speak to US Army Major Ben Ordiway and Lt Colonel Kevin Cutright, based at the United States Military Academy at Westpoint. We discuss their developing concepts of Moral Terrain Coaching and how to consider empathy towards our adversary to gain an operational advantage. Both concepts are fundamentally important when the stakes are high, and for leaders to make time to engage wi...