
10 Month In-Person Programme: Phoenix 2025: Leadership for Transforming Self, Business and Society
March 3 - November 11
£2,195.00 – £2,495.00
Phoenix: Leadership for Transforming Business and Society is Aspire’s new core programme for 2025, delivered through three connected in-person 2 day events – Take Flight, Achieve the Impossible and Pioneer Change combined with six virtual coaching and accountability webinars throughout the year.
Whether you want to define your next chapter, advance your leadership, inspire high performing teams, change the world or all the above. Our unique experiential and diverse attendee approach allows for multiple goals and projects to be achieved and help to be exchanged.
Join Dr Sam Collins, CEO and Founder Aspire and start with Take Flight, where you’ll get clear about the vision and strategy you want to create, the programme moves through Achieve the Impossible, where you’ll develop communication and influence skills to handle challenges, and culminates in Pioneer Change, where you’ll learn to embed the lasting skill of resilience.
Why attend?
For you: Because you’re ready to transform yourself and make a bigger impact and you know the old ways aren’t working.
For your organisation: Because leaders who can blend analytical thinking with intuitive intelligence create better results.
For the world: Because we need more people who can think bigger and contribute towards societal change.
Still not sure? Ask yourself:
- Do I know exactly what I want to create in 2025 and beyond?
- Am I thinking big enough about my potential impact?
- Do I have the tools and network to create genuine transformation?
If you answered no to any of these – and you’re ready to do something about it. Welcome to Phoenix.
What is Phoenix?
Phoenix is where transformation happens. Not through PowerPoint presentations or lectures, but through Dr Sam Collins’ unique and tested approach to collective intelligence (CQ).
Let’s be clear: if you’re looking for a comfortable day out of the office, this isn’t it. But if you want to create real change – in yourself, your organisation and the wider world – you’re in the right place.
This programme helps you get crystal clear about what you want to change and why it matters. In an increasingly AI world, our human skills – like vision creation, genuine intuition, real empathy and deep understanding – are becoming our edge.
Who is it for?
Team leaders, managers, directors and executives from across different industries and sectors who:
- Understand that learning, education and a broad network is key to their success.
- Are successful but want to have a bigger influence on others.
- Want to gain a network, benchmarks and innovative perspectives outside of their company or industry.
- Lead teams or organisations but sense there’s a better way to engage and motivate others.
- Need to deliver results in an ever complex and changing environment.
- Want tools that work in real and often difficult day to day life.
- Are ready to think differently about what’s possible.
- Care about people, equality and inclusion.
- Get bored by lectures and purely academic type programmes.
- Can be skeptical of traditional development and want something different.
- Struggle with multiple home and work stressors and finding time to focus on themselves.
- Have been told that they are too “emotional/nice/much/assertive” in the past and know this isn’t a bad thing.
- Feel sometimes hopeless about world events and want to do something.
- Know they have the potential to make a real and lasting difference.
What to expect:
- No theory without real life implementation.
- No nodding politely.
- No complaining or blaming.
- No mindless chat.
- No corporate buzzwords.
Instead:
- Ways to challenge the status quo and do things differently.
- An understanding of how hard it is to make change.
- A reality check that failing and learning from it is inevitable.
- A completely fresh perspective on leadership beyond the usual rhetoric.
- Redefinition of “soft skills” as essential results, revenue and delivery strengths.
- Individual and group systems coaching to move you forward.
- Practical tools that use science and research with intuition to make a difference.
- Real conversations and help exchange between attendees.
- Challenging exercises that push your boundaries.
- Tools you can actually use tomorrow morning.
- Great food and a killer playlist.
- Accountability to do what you say you’ll do even when the going gets tough.
Phoenix 1: Take Flight with Dr Sam Collins and special guests
3rd + 4th March 2025 In-Person Conference
Key Learning Skills: Vision & Strategic Thinking
What you’ll get:
- Develop your skills to create an inspiring vision for yourself and others for 2025 and beyond.
- Know who you are, your strengths and abilities.
- A bigger and better view of your potential.
- Self-belief that you can move mountains.
- Vision for yourself of your next chapter.
- How to challenge the status quo.
- An interdisciplinary approach of psychology, leadership, science and culture.
- A new view of leadership – from transactional to transformational to transrational.
- Techniques to quiet the analytical noise and access better insights.
- A self-care revolution.
- Tools to put learning into actual practice in daily life and work.
- Network with global attendees with multiple perspectives and stories.
- A room full of people who want to help you.
Phoenix 2: Achieve the Impossible with Dr Sam Collins and special guests
30th June + 1st July 2025 In-Person Conference
Key Learning Skills: Communication & Influence
What you’ll get:
- Develop your mental toughness and stamina.
- Communicate powerfully and with impact.
- Learn how to be braver and bolder.
- Do things other people find too hard.
- Thrive with multiple stressors and constant change.
- Overcome doubts, fear of failure and rejection.
- Leave behind worn-out habits, defences and beliefs.
- Challenges others’ perceptions of you.
- Develop your empathy and intuition superpower.
- Keeping the faith when it gets difficult.
- How to not give up.
- Planning tools that work.
- Tools to put learning into actual practice in daily life and work.
- Network with global attendees with multiple perspectives and stories.
- A room full of people who want to help you.
Phoenix 3: Pioneer Change with Dr Sam Collins and special guests
10th + 11th November 2025 In-Person Conference
Key Learning Skills: Resilience & Impact
What you’ll get:
- Develop your skills to be truly resilient.
- Learn the tools to be consistent and implement changes.
- Increase your tolerance for stress and uncertainty.
- Know how to adapt and pivot fast.
- Maintain momentum and not burn out.
- Keep daily habits going.
- Getting back on track tools.
- How to mentor others to be resilient.
- Allies, collaborators and mentors to help you.
- Empower Collective Intelligence (CQ) for group and team change.
- Pay it forward and empower others.
- How to influence on a bigger scale.
- Deliver incredible results.
- Tools to put learning into actual practice in daily life and work.
- Network with global attendees with multiple perspectives and stories.
- A room full of people who want to help you.
Accountability Webinars
Make sure change actually happens. Attend live or listen to the recording of 60 minute virtual seminars in February, April, May, July, October and November 2025.
- Set goals and prepare for 2 day events.
- Ask questions and discuss learning.
- Do what you say you’re going to do post events.
- Celebrate successes.
- Hold yourself and others to account to do what you/they say they will do.
- Develop consistent habits in-between events.
- Support others.
- Implement learnings in the real world.
- Gain a new network and community.
- Additional tools and support.
Collective Intelligence (CQ) Methodology
Phoenix is designed to access the skills, contacts, perspectives and ideas of all the participants and speakers attending both in-person and virtually from around the world.
- Peer buddy groups that face problems and discuss issues in a safe space.
- Strategic networking to practically help each other.
- Special interest groups for mutual support on topics that range from job opportunities, parenthood, NED roles, negotiating pay, finance skills, alternative career paths, well-being and boardroom politics.
- Creation and tracking of your M.A.D. (Making a Difference) projects in life, work and world.
- Underpinning of coaching and mentoring, not therapy or counselling.
- Holistic life skills to find out who you are and develop the self belief that we can move mountains together.
Aspire Special Touches
- Extensive pre-questionnaire to understand you and your goals.
- Sensory room for quiet time and space.
- ‘Dopamine dressing’ as our dress code.
- No name badges, people ask ‘How can I help you?’, not ‘What do you do?’.
- Virtual interaction that keeps you engaged and maximises results.
Accommodation
Accommodations for in-person attendees are not provided as part of this programme. Those who are travelling to Aspire will need to make their own arrangements. Aspire discounted rooms at the Hilton Hotel Heathrow Terminal 4 can be booked directly HERE until February 10th, 2025 and there are various other hotels nearby. We suggest travelling in early and staying afterwards to maximise your experience and to take some well deserved time for yourself.
Full Programme Includes:
- 3 x face to face two day conferences.
- 6 x virtual 1 hour events.
- Optional post event pro bono mentoring programme.
Discounts
Additional discounts for multiple bookings, groups and teams.
2 tickets = 10% discount | 3 -5 tickets = 15% discount | 5 – 9 tickets = 20% discount| 10 + tickets = 25% discount
Phoenix Programme Leader and Guest Speakers

Dr Sam Collins, Aspire CEO and Founder
Sam is a leading global voice on leadership, equality and change, a social entrepreneur, international speaker, coach and author.

Dr Zareen Roohi Ahmed, Founder & CEO, Gift Wellness | Chair at GWF & Halimah Trust
Dr Zareen Roohi Ahmed is a visionary entrepreneur, philanthropist, accomplished author, and sought-after professional speaker.

Brian Ballantyne, Product Marketing Manager
Brian Ballantyne pioneered change at Vodafone by instigating the launch of a global LGBTQ+ network.

Lilly Lewis, Founder, Watering your Soul CIC
Lilly has first hand experience with domestic abuse, substance misuse, and the Criminal Justice system.

Sarah Kitakule, Management Consultant
Sarah Kitakule, a private sector development specialist worked with Public Service before moving on to World Bank.

Karen L Sherman, Co-founder and CEO, Virunga Mountain Spirits
Karen L Sherman is the Co-founder and CEO of Virunga Mountain Spirits, a new premium craft distillery/agro-tourism site based in Rwanda.

Kamila Sidiqi, Activist
Kamila Sidiqi is a prominent women’s rights and economic activist who has worked in leadership roles in different sectors in Afghanistan and the United Kingdom.

Kate O’Brien, Executive Director, Costa Foundation
Kate has worked for over 20 years across the private, public and not-for-profit sectors, in both international and national organisations.

Zoe Holland MBE, Group Chief Commercial Officer, Fletchers Group
An entrepreneurial, C-Suite leader (Fletchers Group Chief Commercial Officer), NED, Trustee, experienced Executive Coach, Neurodiversity Coach and motivational speaker.

Professor Mona Bafadhel, Professor, King’s College London
Professor Mona Bafadhel is Professor of Respiratory Medicine at King’s College London (KCL) and a National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Research Professor.

Destiny Vaughan, Founder, Mind the Gap Ireland
In 2019, Destin Ayo Vaughan Founded Mind the Gap Ireland, the country's first anonymous story platform for survivors of sexual violence.

Alvaro Montenegro, Product & Engineering Director, Velonetic
Alvaro started his professional career as an architect (designing beautiful places and spaces, not systems ), successfully designing, project managing.

Nicole Mott, Enterprise Account Director, ActiveOps
With over three decades of experience, Nicole is a passionate and innovative leader specialising in insurance, operations.

Sarah Finch, CEO, Marches Academy Trust
Sarah Finch is CEO of The Marches Academy Trust (MAT), a multi-academy sponsor based in Shropshire, UK.

The Pioneers, Velonetic
The Pioneers is a network of talented and highly capable women, brought together by a shared goal of empowering.

Amy Lynch, Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Europe, Thoughtworks
Amy (she/her) has been working with technology teams for over 12 years and currently works for global tech consultancy.

Dr. Susanne Coles, Director, Innovate UK
Dr. Susanne Coles is a senior leader at Innovate UK, the UK’s Innovation Agency, where she serves as Deputy Director for the Innovation Finance.

Carolyn Clarke, Chief Pioneer, BRAVE Within LLP
Carolyn Clarke is an entrepreneur, advocate for responsible business practices and a leading governance and finance professional.

Claire Dale, Founder, Director, Physical Intelligence® Institute & Companies in Motion
Claire Dale is a neurophysiology specialist with a background in contemporary dance. She leads powerful development programmes for coaches and for global businesses.

Nasreen Sheikh, Founder, Empowerment Collective
Nasreen Sheikh is a survivor of modern slavery and a visionary leader committed to ending this issue through survivor-led initiatives.

Daljeet Jutta, CFO, Velonetic
Daljeet is an experienced CFO and board member at Velonetic, with a passion for mentoring and team building.

Robert Silverstone, Coach, Writer, Speaker
Robert Silverstone is an accomplished coach, writer, and speaker with a passion for helping.

Tracey Cramond, Chair, Health Care Supply Association’s Women’s Network
Tracey is Chair of the award-winning Health Care Supply Association’s (HCSA) Women’s Network dedicated to celebrating the achievements.

Kerry Rainer, Chief Strategy Director, Velonetic
Kerry is an experienced senior leader with a career spanning customer relationship management, executive leadership, and large-scale technology transformation.