In this special episode, we spotlight Ride to Inspire 2026 — a powerful three-day cycling experience uniting purpose-driven businesses, leaders, and communities to create meaningful social impact through sport, teamwork, and shared ambition.

More than just a ride, this unique event blends energising corporate fundraisers, leadership forums, and unforgettable experiences at iconic venues — from an exclusive dinner at Silverstone Museum to a VIP matchday at Liverpool Anfield stadium. It’s a unique platform where high-performance teams, inspiring speakers, and bold ideas come together to drive collaboration, connection, and real-world change.

We’re joined by two remarkable riders from last year’s event, including Justin Levene — a world Brazilian Jiu Jitsu world champion, record-breaking endurance cyclist, and leading advocate for equality whose story of resilience and achievement is nothing short of extraordinary — and Jack Prichard, CEO and healthcare leader, representing the calibre of purpose-led individuals behind the ride.

Alongside them, organisers Kirsten Warrender and Alex Garment share insight into the vision behind Ride to Inspire, the experiences that make it truly distinctive, and how businesses and teams can get involved.

From elite leadership conversations to inclusive participation opportunities — whether you’re tackling a fitness challenge, joining a team activation, or riding for a cause — this is an event designed to inspire action, unlock potential, and create lasting opportunities for underserved communities.

Tune in to discover how Ride to Inspire is redefining leadership through purpose — and why 2026 is set to be its most impactful year yet.

Donate to the Inspiring Leadership Foundation here

To learn more about the ride, or so sign up, click here

Tickets for the Charity Dinner at Silverstone Mueseum here

Tickets for the VIP Matchday Experience at Liverpool Anfield here

Use code PARTNER25 at checkout for 25% off all events

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John Sutherland is a married father of three, who lives with his wife and family in South London. He joined the Metropolitan Police Service in 1992 - serving as an officer for more than 25 years, until his early retirement on medical grounds in 2018.  

Having started out as a uniformed PC, responding to emergencies on the streets of inner London, he rose through the ranks to become a highly respected senior officer. His last operational posting was as the Borough Commander for Southwark. He is an experienced Hostage and Crisis Negotiator, having been a member of both the national and international cadres. 

Since leaving the Met, John has become an established author. His first book,'Blue: A Memoir’, was an instant Sunday Times bestseller and his second, ‘Crossing the Line’ was a BBC Radio 4 Book of the Week. His first novel, ‘The Siege’ - which introduced readers to the worlds of police negotiators Alex Lewis and Pip Williams - was published by Orion Fiction in June 2022 and shortlisted for the Specsavers Debut Crime Novel of the Year. Two sequels have since been published to significant critical acclaim: The Fallen in June 2023 and The Castle in April 2025. 

John is a sought-after public speaker - addressing subjects including leadership, communication and mental health - and a media commentator on matters relating to policing and society. He has appeared regularly on national radio and television and has written for a variety of national newspapers. 

You can find him on his website: www.johnsutherlandauthor.co.uk, on  

Instagram as john_sutherland_author, and on X as @policecommander 

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Nigel Morris is a renowned British businessman and pioneering fintech investor, best known as the co-founder and managing partner of QED Investors, a leading venture capital firm focused on financial technology. He is also widely recognised for co-founding Capital One in 1994, where as President and Chief Operating Officer he helped revolutionise consumer lending through the innovative use of data and analytics. 

Under his leadership at QED Investors, Nigel has backed some of the world’s most successful fintech companies, including Credit Karma, Nubank, Klarna and Remitly, helping to shape the modern global financial services landscape. Educated at London Business School with an MBA, he combines rigorous analytical thinking with a deep understanding of customer behaviour and business culture. 

On this episode of Inspiring Leadership, Nigel reflects on the lessons from building Capital One, his transition into venture capital, and what it takes to identify and scale category‑defining businesses. He also shares his philosophy on leadership, integrity and decision‑making in high‑growth environments, offering rich insights for CEOs, founders and senior leaders navigating rapid change. 

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 Dr. Coleman is a psychologist in private practice in the San Francisco Bay Area and a Senior Fellow with the Council on Contemporary Families, a non-partisan organization of leading sociologists, historians, psychologists and demographers dedicated to providing the press and public with the latest research and best practice findings about American families. 

He is a frequent contributor to The Atlantic and The Washington Post’s "Ask a Therapist" column and has also written for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Scientific American, NBC THINK, The Behavioral Scientist, Maria Shriver Sunday Paper, CNN, MarketWatch, the San Francisco Chronicle, and more. He has given talks to the faculties at Harvard, the Weill Cornell Department of Psychiatry, UC Irvine, Ohio State and other academic institutions. 

A frequent guest on the Today Show, NPR, New York University Doctor’s Radio, he has also been featured on Oprah, Sesame Street, 20/20, Good Morning America, PBS, as well as podcasts for The Atlantic, The Economist, CNN with Audie Cornish and Yasha Mounk’s The Good Fight. 

He is the author of numerous articles and chapters and has written four books: The Rules of Estrangement (Random House); The Marriage Makeover: Finding Happiness in Imperfect Harmony (St. Martin's Press); The Lazy Husband: How to Get Men to Do More Parenting and Housework (St. Martin's Press); When Parents Hurt: Compassionate Strategies When You and Your Grown Child Don't Get Along (HarperCollins) 

He is the co-editor, along with historian Stephanie Coontz of seven online volumes of Unconventional Wisdom: News You Can Use, a compendium of noteworthy research on the contemporary family, gender, sexuality, poverty, and work-family issues. 

His books have been translated into Chinese, Korean, Russian, Polish, and Croatian. 

Dr. Coleman is the father of three adult children, has a teenage grandson and lives with his wife in the San Francisco Bay Area.  He also writes music for television which has appeared on Keeping Up With the Kardashians, Lethal Weapon, Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, Pretty Little Liars, Longmire, Shameless, RuPaul's Drag Race, and many other shows. 

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Hatty Jackson is the founder of Troopr, a first-of-its-kind platform that helps the UK’s Armed Forces community easily discover the support, services and opportunities available to them from Forces-friendly organisations. A proud military child, Hatty grew up with a deep understanding of service life and has worked closely with her father, founder of ex-military recruitment business Salutemyjob. His leadership has been a major inspiration in her own journey. 

With Troopr, Hatty set out to solve a clear problem: the fragmented and time-consuming experience of finding support as a veteran, serving member, reservist or military family. Instead of scattered websites and word-of-mouth, Troopr brings everything into one trusted place — from jobs and housing to wellbeing, money and community support — all clearly linked to verified Forces-friendly organisations. 

But Troopr isn’t just about listings. It’s about recognition. Hatty believes organisations that step up for the Armed Forces community should be seen, celebrated and supported. Troopr helps those employers and service providers showcase their opportunities and connect meaningfully with the people they want to help. 

Hatty’s leadership blends commercial focus with real purpose. She’s building more than a platform — she’s building a movement that champions access, inclusion and respect for the Armed Forces community. Under her guidance, Troopr is rapidly growing and forming strategic partnerships with major organisations like NHS Scotland. 

Her vision is simple: to make it easy for the Armed Forces community to access everything they’re entitled to — and to give Forces-friendly organisations the tools to support them well. 

Link to Troopr - troopr.co.uk 

Troopr is one place for the Armed Forces community to go to discover all the support, services, opportunities and more offered to them from Forces-friendly organisations. 

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Donate to the Inspiring Leadership Foundation here: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/ride-to-inspire-2026?utm_medium=CA&utm_source=CL

Join the ride and/or events and find out more here: https://inspiringleadership.foundation/ride-to-inspire/

Use code PARTNER25 at checkout for 25% off for tickets to the Women Breaking Barriers and Champions Within events.

After the incredible success of Ride to Inspire 2025, where together we raised £30,999 for charity, we’re doing it again this year — and making it twice as big. This event is more than just a ride. It’s about raising vital funds, building awareness, and creating lasting connections to power the mission of the Inspiring Leadership Foundation — a charity that envisions a world where those from the most underserved communities can dream big and realise their full potential.

Ride to Inspire 2026 brings together purpose-driven businesses, leaders, and communities to celebrate inspiring leadership while tackling critical social challenges through sport, teamwork, and shared purpose.

• Three-day cycling event with energising fundraisers designed for corporates and teams.
• Leadership events featuring world-class speakers at iconic venues: Silverstone and Anfield Stadium.
• Purpose-driven engagement: businesses and leaders mobilised to create real impact.
• Diverse participation opportunities: from fitness challenges and fun rides to training sessions and team activations.
• Unique leader and team activations driving high engagement, collaboration, and performance.
• Amplified social impact: generating lasting opportunities for disadvantaged and underserved communities.

This years ride is sponsored and supported by: Dove – Unilever UK, B&M, Gleeds, Oxford Property Group, Freeze Tag Inc and Polyco Healthline

About the Inspiring Leadership Foundation

The Inspiring Leadership Foundation supports disadvantaged people in the UK and internationally. Founded in 2015 by Leigh Bowman-Perks, a survivor of domestic violence and adversity, the charity was created to address gaps in support for vulnerable individuals, including limitations in government resources and a lack of long-term, holistic services. Leigh, now a successful business leader, international speaker, coach, philanthropist, and author, attributes her success to mentors and supportive businesses, and she is committed to giving back.

Our mission is to connect those from underserved communities with a global network of inspiring leaders to deliver world-class development through mentorship, resources, and life-changing career opportunities.

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Aldo Kane is a Royal Marine Commando sniper turned world-record-holding adventurer and survival expert. Having faced erupting volcanoes, charged black rhinos, and the isolation of a 10-day bunker lock-in, Aldo has spent his life testing the limits of human endurance. From rowing across the Atlantic Ocean to diving on Captain Kidd’s pirate ship, his missions push the boundaries of courage, teamwork, and resilience.

In his book Lessons from the Edge Aldo shares powerful lessons shaped by his time in the military and the world’s most extreme environments. Aldo discussed how to build mental toughness, lead with purpose, and turn failure into fuel. With insights on flow, stoicism, and self-belief, Aldo’s message is clear: success isn’t about avoiding risk—it’s about mastering your own mindset and becoming the captain of your own ship.

His key lessons are:

- The importance of resilience: Surviving and thriving depend on mental toughness and seeing setbacks as opportunities to learn

- Developing mental fitness and compartmentalising emotions to focus on the task at hand in extreme environments

- Harnessing flow states for peak performance under pressure

- Valuing consistency over raw skill as the secret to long-lasting success

- Applying stoicism—remaining calm, grounded, and pragmatic when faced with adversity

- Learning that you must take action and “become the captain of your own ship” instead of waiting for things to happen

- Embracing failure as a pathway rather than a permanent condition—failure is not the end

- Leveraging self-belief and identity for sustained motivation in uncertain times

- Building courage to tackle challenges previously avoided due to fear

- Recognising that with the “right head game,” even the impossible can be made possible

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Mark Sedwill, Baron Sedwill of Sherborne GCMG FRGS, is a is cross-bench peer and a member of Parliament’s Joint Committee on national security. Lord Sedwill is Chair of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) and of the Atlantic & Pacific Future Forums (APFF). He is a non-executive director of Rothschild & Co (R&Co) and of Hakluyt, and a senior adviser for McKinsey, Temasek and Rasmussen Global.

Lord Sedwill is President of the Special Forces Club and of the Special Boat Service Association, a Vice-President of the Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charities (RNRMC), and an Honorary Colonel in the Royal Marines. He is President of the Civil Service Retirement Association, and a Trustee of St Andrews University and of the RNLI.

Lord Sedwill chaired the 2021 G7 Panel on Global Economic Resilience. He was Cabinet Secretary & Head of the Civil Service (2018-20), National Security Adviser (2017-20), Permanent Secretary at the Home Office (2013-17), and British Ambassador and NATO Representative in Afghanistan (2009-11). Before that he had a diplomatic and security career serving in Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Cyprus and Pakistan. He was educated at St Andrews and Oxford Universities.

Lord Sedwill is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and of the Institute of Directors, an Honorary Fellow of Oxford University and of St Edmund Hall, Oxford. He is an Honorary Doctor of Laws of St Andrews University, and an Honorary Bencher of Middle Temple. He is also the recipient of several other awards and honours for national and international public service.

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Born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya, Conrad Thorpe grew up immersed in East Africa’s wildlife and communities, which shaped a lifelong intellectual passion for the ethnography and cultures of the region. Conrad served 21 years in the Royal Marines, rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and specialising in maritime and amphibious operations. He is very modest about his achievements and operations yet had a highly distinguished career in the Royal Marines, serving on operations around the world, including in Iraq, Northern Ireland and Afghanistan. In 2001, he led the first UK forces team into Afghanistan to secure the British embassy building in Kabul, a high‑risk mission in the immediate aftermath of 9/11 and also the Kuwaiti Embassy in Iraq. 

After retiring from the Royal Marines, Conrad founded Salama Fikira (now part of the SF Group), a pan‑African and Asian risk management company based in Nairobi. Through this firm, he was responsible for managing the recovery of more than 50 commercial ships seized by Somali pirates during the height of piracy off the Horn of Africa in the 2000s and 2010s. These operations involved complex kidnap‑for‑ransom negotiations, maritime security planning, and coordination with navies and shipping companies, all conducted with a perfect safety record: no fatalities or serious incidents among the crews or his teams. His work in this space is widely recognised as a benchmark in maritime risk management and crisis response, and he continues to speak and advise on the resurgence of piracy threats in the region. 

Conrad is now Chairman of the Salama Fikira Group, a leading risk management and security provider with a presence across 80% of Africa and parts of Asia and Europe. The company specialises in enterprise risk, operational design, and security in complex environments, often in fragile or conflict‑affected states. He is also deeply involved in conservation and community development in East Africa, particularly in Kenya. In January 2026, he was gazetted by the Government of Kenya as an Honorary Warden under the Kenya Wildlife Service, a practical, frontline role in wildlife protection, anti‑poaching, and human‑wildlife conflict management. He is a director of Tsavo Trust and supports community‑centred initiatives such as a Sikh‑inspired “Zero Hunger for Langar” school feeding programme, reflecting his belief that conservation must be rooted in community engagement. 

In 2025, he and his team (Stephen White, Craig Howorth and Jamie Gillespie) repeated this feat, becoming the only all‑amputee team in history to cross the Channel twice. The 2025 swim, completed in 14 hours 40 minutes through rough seas and jellyfish, raised funds and awareness for Blesma, challenging perceptions of disability and inspiring other injured veterans.

He is particularly interested in the social structures, traditions, and histories of East African communities, and how these intersect with conservation, governance, and development. This deep cultural understanding informs both his business and conservation work, allowing him to design risk and security strategies that are culturally sensitive and community‑led. In conversation, he brings a rare blend of military precision, strategic business thinking, and anthropological insight into African societies, making him a compelling and passionate interviewee. 

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Andrew founded his Social Enterprise, SaluteMyJob, in 2015. He and his team are on a mission to better connect transitioning and former Service men and women, and their families, with ‘Forces Friendly’ organisations and the wide variety of opportunities they offer. This has led to the recent launch of a new platform, Troopr, to use technology to transform the experience for both organisations and individual members of the Armed Forces community. His former employer, IBM, is an important partner in this venture. Andrew joined Kenexa, a US provider of HR science, technology and services, In 2009, after a full career in the British Army. He was responsible for starting up the company’s government business, achieving $25m in sales and $12m in revenue in 3 years.  

For his last 4 years in the Army, Andrew was Director of Army Recruiting, responsible for the recruitment of 17,000 officers and soldiers annually into the Regular and Reserve Army. As part of this work, he led a project to identify how commercial best practices, capabilities, and expertise could help to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of Army recruiting. Earlier Army appointments included command of an Army brigade in Scotland; Responsibility for the Army’s UK Training Estate, and 3 years on the Commitments (Operations) Staff in the Ministry of Defence at the height of the Kosovo crisis. In 1996, he achieved his lifelong ambition to command 1st Battalion, The King’s Scottish Borderers. 

He sits on the board of a US Not-For-Profit, Corporate America Supports You. He is a volunteer mentor for SSAFA and an active supporter of Combat Stress. In 2023, he established and now leads a #JoiningForces initiative to foster and enable collaboration between ‘Forces Friendly organisations. 

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