The Rt Hon Tobias Ellwood was born in New York in 1966 to British parents and holds dual British-American nationality. He was schooled in Bonn and Vienna before Loughborough University. He commissioned into the Royal Green Jackets, reached the rank of captain, and still serves as an Army reservist, now a lieutenant colonel and County Colonel for Dorset.

He was Conservative MP for Bournemouth East from 2005 to 2024. In government he served as a Foreign Office minister covering the Middle East and Africa, then as Defence Minister for Veterans, Reserves and Personnel. He chaired the House of Commons Defence Select Committee from 2020 to 2023, which put him at the centre of British thinking on Ukraine, NATO and the Middle East.

Two moments shaped the man behind the politician. His brother Jonathan was killed in the 2002 Bali bombing. Then in March 2017, during the Westminster terror attack, Tobias Ellwood knelt over PC Keith Palmer and gave him CPR as the officer lay dying, ignoring the risk that the attacker might have left a second device. He was later appointed to the Privy Council, which gave him the "Right Honourable" prefix. He lost his seat in 2024 and now works as a consultant and commentator on defence and geopolitics.

The book: a two-line synopsis

Ten Steps to Prevent World War Three argues that the rules-based order has come apart, and that the next global conflict will not be fought on one front but across many at once: Russia and Ukraine, Iran and the United States, Israel and Palestine, and a new cold war between America and China forught with information, influence and ideology.

Tobias Ellwood then sets out a practical plan to step back from the brink: rebuild hard power, restore soft power, strengthen alliances, and build the off-ramps that let adversaries de-escalate without losing face.

It has landed well. William Hague calls it crucial reading on how the global order came apart, and it carries endorsements from Peter Frankopan, John Kerry, Rory Stewart and General Jim Mattis.

Website: https://jonathanperks.com/podcasts/

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Greg Zlevor is the Founder and President of Westwood International, a global leadership development and consulting collaborative dedicated to helping organizations lead wisely and thrive in a rapidly changing world. For more than 25 years, Greg has partnered with Fortune 50 companies, government agencies, healthcare systems, and global organizations across North America, Europe, Asia, South America, and Australia to design transformative leadership programs, executive retreats, strategic planning initiatives, and culture change efforts.

Through his work, Greg has helped organizations including Johnson & Johnson, General Electric, Honeywell, Kimberly-Clark, Pfizer, Volvo, Intel, United Airlines, Massachusetts General Hospital, and the U.S. Army unlock leadership potential and drive meaningful business outcomes.

Known for his ability to blend practical business acumen with deep personal insight, Greg has led award-winning executive development programs that have trained hundreds of leaders, improved retention rates, accelerated internal talent development, and generated millions of dollars in organizational value. A former Senior Manager and Director at Arthur Andersen Business Consulting, Greg is also an accomplished author, speaker, coach, and recipient of the Global Coaching Leadership Award from the World Coaching Congress.

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Karl Hinett is a British Army veteran, ultra-endurance athlete and motivational speaker whose life is a lived example in resilience and the power of the human spirit. Born and raised in Tipton, West Midlands, Hinett’s journey from a wounded soldier to a world record breaking runner has inspired many around the globe.

Service and Sacrifice

Driven by a desire for adventure and service, Hinett joined the Staffordshire Regiment at just 16 years old. By age 18, he was deployed to Basra, Iraq, serving as a gunner in a Warrior armoured vehicle. In September 2005, his life changed forever during a mission to rescue two fellow British soldiers. Amidst a violent riot, his tank was hit by multiple petrol bombs. Engulfed in flames, Hinett was forced to exit the vehicle while still alight. He sustained 37% third-degree burns to his face, hands, arms, and torso.

The road through to recovery is now life long. Hinett spent ten days in an induced coma and underwent over 20 major reconstructive surgeries at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. Rather than allowing his injuries to define his limitations, he used his recovery period to set a radical new goal: he would run for those who couldn't.

Reclaiming Life Through Endurance

In 2011/12, Hinett made global headlines by completing 100 marathons in two years, raising significant funds for the burns unit that saved his life. This was only the beginning. He transitioned into the world of high altitude mountaineering and ultra endurance racing, summiting Mount Manaslu and joining the Walking With The Wounded team for an Everest expedition.

His competitive drive led him to the Invictus Games, where he represented the UK and secured a Silver medal in the 1500m at the 2018 Sydney games. His thirst for extreme challenges recently culminated in "Project Fire and Ice," a 514km trek across the Arctic Circle in early 2025. Alongside SAS: Who Dares Wins stars Jason Fox and Aldo Kane, Hinett braved temperatures of -30°C to raise over £190,000 for SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity.

Legacy and Advocacy

Today, Hinett is a sought-after motivational speaker in the UK, specialising in mental fortitude and overcoming trauma. As a proud ambassador for The Scar Free Foundation, he champions medical research into scarless healing, and he remains an active member of the CASEVAC Club, supporting veterans who survived life changing battlefield injuries.

Through his documentary work, including the 2026 Channel 4 special Arctic Adventure: Ultimate Survival, Hinett continues to prove that while trauma shaped his life, progression need not stop because of it.

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Mark ‘rusty’ leruste is  a sought-after inspirational Keynotespeaker, leadership communication expert and Bestselling author of glow in the dark, on a mission to Redefine what it means to be human at work .

As Founder and CEO of StoryCast®, he teaches business leaders how to harness the power of personal storytelling to connect with audiences, motivate teams, and drive organisational success. His deeply transformative insights have inspired thousands of professionals at global conferences and some of the largest and most influential organisations in the world, including Google, L’Oréal, Nike, Microsoft, and The Premier League.

A guest lecturer at INSEAD, investor and advisor to purpose-driven startups, Mark is passionate about creating a future worth striving for. His work as a former seven-figure fundraiser for The Movember Foundation helped change the face of men’s health globally.

His award-winning podcast, The Unconventionalists, shares the unfiltered stories of unconventional leaders, dreamers, and doers who took the road less travelled to spark change and live extraordinary lives. Mark has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, The Guardian, and other major media outlets. The City of London named him among their “50 Most Inspiring People.” His TEDx talk “What They Don’t Tell You About Entrepreneurship” has garnered over a million views and was recognised by Steven Bartlett, host of The Diary of a CEO, as the number one TED Talk every entrepreneur should watch.

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Larry Kramer has been President and Vice Chancellor of the London School of Economics and Political Science 1 April 2024.

He served as President of the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation from 2012 to 2024. Under his leadership, the foundation significantly adapted its strategies to meet changing circumstances and seize new opportunities, including new efforts to respond to pressing and timely challenges related to democracy, economics, climate change, and racial justice.

Larry spent most of his career in the academy, most recently as the 15th Dean of Stanford Law School, a position he assumed in 2004. During his tenure, he spearheaded significant educational reforms. He pioneered a new model of multidisciplinary legal studies, while growing the clinical education program, incorporating a public service ethos, and enlarging the physical campus.

Previously, Larry researched and taught at the University of Chicago, the University of Michigan, and New York University, where he served as Associate Dean for Research and Academics and Russell D. Niles Professor of Law. He clerked for U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Henry J. Friendly of the Second Circuit and U.S. Supreme Court Justice William J. Brennan Jr., following his education. Larry holds an A.B. in Psychology and Religious Studies from Brown University and a J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School.

Larry’s teaching and scholarly interests include American legal history, constitutional law, federalism, separation of powers, the federal courts, conflict of laws, and civil procedure. He is the author of numerous articles and books, including The People Themselves: Popular Constitutionalism and Judicial Review.

Larry is a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and a member of the American Philosophical Society. He serves as board chair of iCivics and has been a director on the boards of numerous nonprofit organizations, including the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, the ClimateWorks Foundation, the Independent Sector, and Equal Justice Works.

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Alexander S Hoare is an eleventh‑generation Partner at C. Hoare & Co., Britain’s oldest privately owned bank, where he has played a central role in stewarding a multi‑century institution through modern financial, technological, and cultural change.

A leading voice on values‑based leadership, Alexander is the author of Impact Banker, a reflective memoir that explores what it means to lead with purpose across generations. His work challenges conventional models of growth and profitability, arguing instead for stewardship, trust, and long‑term thinking as the true foundations of enduring organisations.

Drawing on decades of experience at the heart of a historic family business, he speaks widely on topics including legacy leadership, purpose‑led governance, and the moral responsibilities of finance. His approach emphasises relationships over scale, culture over short‑term optimisation, and leadership as a custodial duty to future generations.

Beyond the bank, Alexander is an advocate for impact investing and contributes to a range of social and civic initiatives. He serves as Chair of Trustees at Intermission Youth, is a Patron of Royal Trinity Hospice, and is a Non‑Executive Director at Tribe Impact Capital.

Alexander S Hoare brings a rare perspective on how institutions can balance tradition with innovation—and how leaders can build organisations that endure.

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Greg Sampson grew up in a small coal‑mining town north of Sydney, Australia, and was among the few in his school to leave. As the first in his family to attend university, he moved to Sydney at 18, drawn by the pace and opportunity of city life.

He began his career in veterinary vaccines before moving into commercial roles, where he quickly found both success and a platform for growth. Over time, Greg built an international career across Australia and the United States, taking on senior roles in general management, sales, and marketing. He developed his leadership not through theory, but through real responsibility, often stepping into complex situations where teams needed alignment, trust, and performance under pressure.

Greg has worked across start‑ups, IPO environments, and global organisations. At CooperVision, he served as the first Vice President of U.S. Field Sales for seven years, where he led a doubling of sales and expanded the organisation while maintaining a strong focus on people and culture, particularly during COVID. Earlier, he led the Australian business to the number one market position and held leadership roles at Panasonic, where he focused on aligning teams and simplifying execution.

His leadership style centres on clarity, accountability, and inclusion. He believes leadership is earned through trust, not title, and that teams perform best when people feel heard, respected, and empowered to challenge.

Greg is now the founder of Masen Strategies, where he works with CEOs and senior leaders to strengthen alignment, leadership behaviour, and execution.

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Andy Foote is a Birmingham-based entrepreneur, founder, and philanthropist whose career spans property, recruitment, investment, and charitable leadership. With a portfolio of successful ventures built on strategic growth and social impact, Andy is known for combining commercial strength with a strong sense of purpose.

He is the Founder and Chairman of Joseph Mews Property Group, a prominent UK-based property investment and development company. Joseph Mews is recognised for delivering high-quality residential projects and investment opportunities across the UK, with a growing international client base. Andy’s leadership has been central to the group’s expansion, reputation, and investor trust.

Andy is also the Founder and CEO of Seven Invest Ltd, the former sales and marketing arm of Seven Capital PLC, one of the UK’s leading property development companies. Through Seven Invest, Andy played a pivotal role in shaping Seven Capital’s sales strategy, investor relations, and international presence, helping the group become a major name in UK real estate.

In addition, he is the founder of BMS Homes and BMS Land, both focused on residential and mixed-use property development. These companies reflect Andy’s passion for delivering well-designed, community-enhancing homes that meet modern standards and create long-term value.

Andy is also the founder of Alexander Daniels, a specialist recruitment consultancy working across the accountancy, finance, and executive search sectors. Built on trust, industry insight, and people-first thinking, Alexander Daniels has become a leading name in talent acquisition and career development.

Outside of business, Andy is a dedicated philanthropist. He founded Fetcher Dog, a registered rescue charity that rehomes dogs from abuse and abandonment. He is also the Co-Founder of The Brain Tumour Charity, one of the UK’s most influential medical charities, and the Matt Gallagher Foundation, which supports his close friend’s values and impact for the MND community.

Andy’s leadership is defined by clarity, integrity, and a belief in building ventures that deliver lasting impact. Whether in property, recruitment, or charitable work, he leads with purpose and a commitment to doing the right thing.

Firmly rooted in Birmingham, Andy remains closely involved in both the city’s business and charitable communities. His work reflects his core belief: success is measured not just by profit, but by the positive difference you leave behind.

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Alex Konanykhin is the founder and CEO of Unicoin, an audited, public reporting, and regulations-compliant cryptocurrency company. His background is so implausible that he resorts to media reports to summarize his life story:

The Wall Street Journal: “Mr. Konanykhin was a whiz-kid physics student who became a pioneering Russian capitalist in early 1990s, building a banking and investment empire valued at an estimated $300 million all by his mid-20s. He was a member of President Boris Yeltsin's inner circle.”

ABC TV: “Russian Bill Gates.”

The Baltimore Sun: “Business whiz kid.”

CNN: “Alex Konanykhin controlled Russia's largest commercial bank in the 1990s”

The Times [of London]: “By the time he was 25 he was one of the most important figures in post-Communist Russia. But in 1992, while on a business trip to Hungary, Alex Konanykhin was kidnapped.”

Forbes: “Alex Konanykhin defected to the United States in 1992 and became the first person to be granted political asylum in the United States for opposing corruption in post-Soviet Russia.”

Washington Post: “National Republican Congressional Committee chose Konanykhin "New York Businessman of the Year"

The Sun: “Alex Konanykhin fled Russia in 1992 and won asylum in the US after the collapse of the Soviet Union. The entrepreneur had set up 100 different companies in Russia and had an estimated net worth of $300 million by the time he was 25. He is regarded as one of the first Russian millionaires after the fall of the Iron Curtain. One of the newly open country's leading lights, he even met with US President George HW Bush in 1991 on a joint visit with Russian leader Boris Yeltsin. However, he was then kidnapped in 1992 while visiting Budapest and all of his business assets were seized in Russia. … Being hunted by the Russian state, Konanykhin won asylum in the US in 1997 and set up a new life - but the shadow of the Kremlin continued to loom over him.He went on to rebuild a business empire and set up multimillion dollar firms such as TransparentBusiness in the US.”

Los Angeles Daily Journal: “Representing himself through much of the process, Konanykhin managed to convince an immigration judge of an alleged INS and KGB conspiracy and cover-up. Following the court's admonishment, the INS agreed to drop all charges and also pay $100,000..The judge also ordered an investigation of the Justice Department. In separate actions, Konanykhin subsequently won multimillion dollar libel judgments against two Russian newspapers. A $100 million lawsuit against the Justice Department is pending, alleging perjury, fraud, torture and witness tampering by U.S government officers on behalf of the Russian Mafia.”

Profit Magazine: “Imagine you are a teenage physics genius who quickly amasses a $300 million empire of real estate and banking ventures, has dozens of cars, six hundred employees, several mansions and two hundred bodyguards—but you are nonetheless kidnapped by those you trusted, threatened with torture and death, and have your entire empire stolen from you one dark night in Budapest. You escape with your life by racing through Eastern-block countries and flying to New York on stashed-away passports—only to have the KGB and Russian Mafia hell-bent on your hide and the U.S. government jailing you and conspiring to serve you up into their clutches. All this before your 29th birthday. Sound like a Tom Clancy thriller? No. . . just a slice in the life of Alexander Konanykhin.”

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Colonel John Blashford-Snell (JBS), one of the world’s most renowned and respected explorers, has organised and led over one hundred expeditions including an exploration and first navigation of the Ethiopian Blue Nile. In 1972, using the first Range Rovers and a Landrover, he led the first vehicle crossing of the Darien Gap including the infamous Atrato Swamp. In 1971/72 this team was the first to complete the drive from Alaska to Cape Horn. In 1974 he navigated almost all 2700 miles of the Zaire (Congo) River. Most of his expeditions have environmental, medical and scientific objectives.

In 1969, he and his colleagues formed the Scientific Exploration Society, which became the parent body for several worldwide ventures launched by HRH the Prince of Wales. JBS then raised funds and selected a team to run Operation Drake involving 400 young explorers from 27 countries on a 2-year circumnavigation. Ultimately a much larger global youth programme was organised and by 1992 Operation Raleigh had enabled 10,000 young people from 50 countries to take part in challenges and expeditions around the world. Now, as Raleigh International, over 580,000 young men and women have benefitted from this unique programme. Many of them, like Major Tim Peake have become explorers in their own right.

Retiring from the Army and as Director-General of Operation Raleigh in 1991, his commitment to young people continues. In 1993, he became Chairman of a £2.5 million appeal to establish a centre to provide vocational training and guidance for the young of Merseyside. This Centre now known as “The Door” has helped over 40,000 less privileged young people. Later he chaired The Liverpool Constructions Craft Guild to promote the training of skilled craftsmen in Liverpool.

In 2000 he delivered a Grand Piano to the Wai Wai people of Guyana. A BBC film of this helped to raise $2 million to conserve the tribal area. In 2017 he took an ambulance boat to a remote tribe on the Amazon.

The Colonel’s work has been recognized by the award of the CBE, and in 1974 of the Segrave Trophy, the Livingstone Medal of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society (1975), the Patrons Medal of the Royal Geographical Society (1993) and the Gold Medal of the Institute of Royal Engineers (1994). He has also received medals from Bolivia, Colombia, Mongolia and the Explorers Club (USA).

His expeditions are acknowledged for developing inflatable boats for white water rafting, paramotoring on scientific expeditions and other technical advances.

JBS has written 16 books, broadcasts and lectures whilst leading expeditions worldwide with the Scientific Exploration Society and projects with the Just A Drop water charity.

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