We talk to Phil Holdcroft, high performance expert and former RAF combat pilot

Phil Holdcroft is a high performance expert and former combat pilot whose 20-year career saw him dodge bullets on the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan and extend to executive senior leadership of Defence, shaping Britain’s future on the global stage.

With an inspiring story like no other, Phil Holdcroft triumphed over adversity in every chapter of his remarkable life. He has made it his mission to share his powerful and transformative lessons, equipping others with the knowledge, skills, and mindset to achieve extraordinary results through high performance.

Phil is committed to pushing the limits of what is possible; he has tested his mind and body through record-breaking feats, as an elite endurance athlete and extreme adventurer, including rowing unsupported across the Atlantic Ocean.

The most daunting challenges have been thrown at him by life itself. Phil talks openly about ‘unravelling’ when his youngest daughter was diagnosed with leukaemia. An event he describes as “more harrowing than the terrors of battle or the fiercest of ocean storms”.

Thankfully, the outcome was a happy one. But the experience taught Phil life-lessons about the complexity of resilience and the power of purpose.

For his final role in the Armed Forces, Phil had the privilege of designing and delivering the senior leadership programme at the United Kingdom Defence Academy. This role allowed Phil to draw together his incredible life-lessons and experience to create the ultimate playbook of leadership, resilience and high performance.

Now officially a veteran, Phil Holdcroft is continuing to pursue his life’s purpose: helping others to conquer Big Hairy Audacious Goals. His keynotes are utterly captivating – he connects, energises, and inspires in equal measure. Audiences are left contemplating his favourite quote: “What would you attempt to do if you knew you couldn’t fail?”

Contact Great British Speakers today to book former combat soldier and inspirational veteran Phil Holdcroft for your next event.