About
Aspen UK’s mission is to help leaders become better leaders, by being more aware of their own values, more tolerant of others’ perspectives, and more inspired to contribute to positive change. We do this by bringing together a wonderfully diverse range of leaders at seminars and other convenings.
All our activities provide an environment where participants can learn with and from people who might have fundamentally different views and life experiences. We use the unique Aspen method of text-based and professionally guided conversations which help people reflect on their leadership skills, and encourage them to play an active role in bridging the UK’s political, social and cultural divides.
Aspen UK provides opportunities for leaders to come together to debate and confront their own ideas and values, and to explore effective solutions to pressing social issues.
We are committed to building communities of actively engaged and enlightened leaders, inspiring them to work for the common good.
“The seminar was an unprecedented and unique opportunity for me to engage in deep discussions with a diverse group of leaders that I would not typically come across in my professional and social lives. Debating with thoughtful, diverging perspectives really helped me grow as a leader .”
Pierre Mercier
Managing Director and Senior Partner, Boston Consulting Group
People
Toby Coppel
Toby Coppel (Trustee) is a co-founder and partner at Mosaic Ventures, a European venture capital firm managing $300 million and focused on early stage investing. Toby
Thomas Eymond-Laritaz
Thomas Eymond-Laritaz (Trustee) is the CEO and founder of Highgate, a C-suite strategy advisory firm. He has 20 years’ experience advising Presidents, Prime Ministers, CEOs
Elliot Gerson
Elliot Gerson (Aspen Advisor) is the executive vice president at the Aspen Institute responsible for its Policy Programmes, its Public Programmes and its relations with
Zelmira Koch Polk
Zelmira Koch Polk (Trustee) is a senior business executive with extensive experience building and turning around businesses internationally. She has worked in finance, crisis communications
Laura Lauder
Laura Lauder (Aspen Advisor) is venture philanthropist in Silicon Valley, focused on leadership, education, and Jewish community areas. She joined her husband Gary in their
Charlotte Leslie
Charlotte Leslie (Trustee) is a former Conservative MP and Managing Director of the Conservative Middle East Council (CMEC), building UK – MENA relationships and enabling
Amelia Loveday
Amelia Loveday is Aspen UK’s Programme Officer. Before joining the organisation in February 2020, she worked with the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) and
Penny Richards
Penny Richards (CEO) is the Managing Director of the Aspen Initiative in the UK. She’s a CEO with an exceptional track record of delivering change
Jan (Jacek) Rostowski
Jan (Jacek) Rostowski (Trustee) was born in London, and has worked as an economist at Kingston Polytechnic, London University and the LSE until 1995, when
Desmond Shum
Desmond Shum (Trustee) is a serial entrepreneur with experience in IT, financial investment and real estate development in greater China region. He is an Honorary
Ed Williams
Ed Williams (Chairman of the Board of Trustees) is the President and CEO of Edelman EMEA. Prior to that he led Edelman UK and Ireland
“Leaders are increasingly confronted with moral dilemmas not technocratic problems. These seminars address head on these moral questions, providing structured space for reflection, and help individuals to understand their own moral compass. It’s a life changing experience.”
Sir Stuart Etherington
Chief Executive, The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO)