About
In 2025, Aspire is evolving. Why? Because the workplace and world needs something different.
Aspire, founded in 2001 by Dr. Sam Collins, was the first pioneering company in the UK to specialise in leadership events and coaching for women leaders and is an internationally recognised and award-winning leader in the field. Our content is specifically tailored and is not a generic training and development agenda. We welcome and are inclusive of male allies who want to grow their own leadership and champion equality and inclusion.
Dr Collins was named as ‘One of the Top 200 Women to Impact Business and Industry’ by the late Her Majesty The Queen, 'Top 30 Women Trailblazer in the City of London" by Brummel Magazine and ‘A Woman Shaping the World’ by CNN.
Those who have previously attended our programmes from organisations such as KPMG, Vodafone, BMW, Centrica, Lloyds of London, PA Consulting, AstraZeneca and Save the Children over the past 24 years have consistently fed back that weare "different, best in class, inspiring, powerful, space to think, challenging, innovative, personal yet business focused, empowering".
We are passionate about gender equality through leadership development and coaching of individuals, teams, organisations and communities to create change.
Yet, at the current rate of progress, it will take until 2158, which is roughly five generations from now, to reach full gender parity, according to data from the World Economic Forum.
Now it's time for the next chapter.
How we'll do it
Aspire is a global movement to develop 1 Million Change Leaders by 2030—leaders who are pioneering inclusive, ethical, and visionary transformation across business, politics, and society.
We work with women and men who are ready to lead change—not wait for permission. People who want to lead with integrity, not ego. People who want to make a difference in their organisations, communities, and the world.
Our Leadership Model: Collective Intelligence
We don’t believe in lone heroes. We believe in collective intelligence—where diverse voices, lived experiences, and technology converge to solve complex problems.
Aspire’s programmes help individuals and organisations tap into this power to lead change more effectively and inclusively. In a world shaped by climate disruption, AI acceleration, and rising inequality, collective intelligence is not just a leadership model—it’s a survival skill.
Why This Matters
Men still hold 74% of global business leadership roles and over 75% of political seats. That’s not just a statistic—it’s a call to action.
We need leadership that reflects the world we live in. Diverse. Inclusive. Visionary. Aspire is here to make that happen—by developing leaders who lead from purpose, not pressure.
Join the Movement
Whether you’re a CEO, activist, teacher, entrepreneur, or ally—if you believe in the power of leadership to change the world, you belong here.
Be one of 1 Million Change Leaders by 2030. Join us. Attend an event. Partner with Aspire.
What makes this different?
Aspire is to "direct one's hopes or ambitions towards achieving something great. To ascend/soar and to seek something great".
Our focus and passion is helping you to make a difference in your life, work and world. And in doing so, we contribute towards creating a more equal and inclusive world for everyone.
We're not about PowerPoint presentations and lectures. This is hands-on stuff that works at three levels - your life, your work and your impact on the world. It's about making deep changes that last, not just feeling good for a day or two after an event.
You get the support, guidance and external validation of being around people who want to help you and show you what good actually looks like - as well as a safe space and structured time to actually stop and think.
Reality based, hands on personal development with a good dose of inspiration and challenge to do and be more.
Who's it for?
We're passionate about transforming leadership and equality and our programmes are for both women and men who:
- Want a completely fresh perspective on living and leading differently.
- Get that equality is going to take both women and men together,
- Are sceptical of typical personal development and training courses.
- Are looking for an honest and real approach to both success and failure.
- Need practical and humble frameworks that can be applied to real life and work.
- Want ‘behind the scenes’ advice to navigate careers and organisations.
- Thrive on ideas, engagement and debate with others.
- Want to connect with something bigger than themselves.
- Really want to make a difference and leave a legacy.
Looking ahead
This is a natural next step for Aspire. It builds on everything we've learned over the past 24 years while responding to what the world needs now.
We're bringing together practical transformation with a deeper understanding of human potential, helping create leaders who can handle today's challenges while staying human and making a real difference.
