About
Aspen UK is an independent, not for profit education body. It educates leaders from a cross section of the UK society, teaching them how to transform themselves and their society. It uses the unique Aspen method of text-based and professionally guided conversations, building the skills of the participants. From that process, leaders will play an active role in bridging UK’s political, social and cultural divides.
It provides opportunities for leaders to come together to learn, debate and confront their own ideas and values, and to explore effective solutions to pressing social issues.
Aspen UK is committed to teaching and building communities of actively engaged and enlightened leaders, inspiring them to work for the common good.
Aspen UK carries out its mission through seminars, conferences and leadership programmes. It offers a safe environment for people to debate political and social issues and confront different perspectives. Sessions are led by expert moderators and are held in small groups to promote an exchange of ideas and perspectives.
Aspen UK is not a think-tank. It is the opposite of a club – we aim to bring people together who may disagree with each other. Its mission is to help people become better leaders, by becoming more aware and tolerant of other people’s values, ideas and perspectives, and to recognise how they can contribute to positive change.
“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)