Royal Navy Captain Sam Kinsey-Briggs MBE: Top Military Keynote Speaker UK & London

From the battlefield to the boardroom: inspiring leadership, resilience, and purpose.

 

Royal Navy Captain Sam Kinsey-Briggs MBE is one of the UK’s most compelling keynote speakers. With nearly three decades of service across the British Army and Royal Navy, global operational experience in Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Falklands and NATO, and a remarkable journey from Private Soldier to Royal Navy Captain, Sam brings a unique voice to leadership, resilience, and transformation.

 

As a member of the LGBTQ+ community who served during the ban on openly gay personnel in the Armed Forces, Sam’s story reflects extraordinary courage in the face of adversity and the importance of authenticity in leadership. Her lived experience offers audiences not only military insight but also a powerful message of inclusion, identity, and resilience.

 

Now co-founder of ACSIS Life Coaching, Sam is helping organisations, leaders, and individuals embrace clarity, courage, and confidence in times of challenge and change.

 

Whether addressing a corporate audience, a university, or a public event, Sam blends hard-won military lessons with personal warmth and practical tools that leave audiences inspired and ready to act.

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Why Book Sam as a Keynote Speaker?

 

Battle-tested leadership insight – From commanding logistics on global operations to leading diverse teams in high-pressure environments.

 

Authenticity and humanity – Sam’s story of serving under the LGBTQ+ ban, transitioning between services, and balancing family life makes her deeply relatable.

 

Global perspective – Having grown up in South Africa and the USA, taught scuba diving in Egypt, and served around the world, Sam connects across cultures and industries.

 

Transition expertise – As a serving Captain moving into civilian life, Sam understands identity, purpose and resilience in transition better than anyone.

 

High-impact delivery – Sam doesn’t just share stories. She delivers lessons that audiences can apply immediately in their own lives and organisations.

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Keynote Speaking Topics

 

Sam’s talks are tailored to each audience. Popular themes include:​

 

Leading with Courage and Clarity in Times of Chaos

How to make decisions, inspire others, and maintain integrity when the pressure is on.

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From Command to Coaching: The Art of Servant Leadership

Why modern leaders must listen, adapt, and empower rather than command and control.

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Resilience Without Burnout

Tools from triathlon, scuba, and operations to manage stress, recover quickly, and protect mental health.

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Veterans and Identity Beyond the Uniform

Helping organisations understand the veteran transition journey and the value veterans bring to civilian life.

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Nature, Neuroscience & Performance

What coral reefs, triathlon, and neuroscience teach us about balance, focus, and sustainable high performance.

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AI, Agile Thinking & the Future of Human Leadership

How leaders can embrace technology and agility without losing authenticity and human connection.​

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Who Sam Speaks To

 

Sam has inspired audiences across:

 

• Corporate organisations – Leadership, DE&I, resilience and change management.

• Public sector & government – Welfare, wellbeing and purposeful leadership.

• Universities & schools – Future leaders seeking courage and confidence.

• Conferences & events – Engaging, story-driven keynotes that spark conversation.

• Podcasts & media – Trusted guest with global perspective and relatable insights.​​

 

Example Talk Titles

 

• “Courage Under Pressure: Lessons in Leadership from the Royal Navy”

• “From South Africa to Sandhurst: A Journey in Resilience and Purpose”

• “Beyond Burnout: Finding Clarity in a Noisy World”

• “The Veteran Advantage: Why Service Leadership Matters in Business”

• “AI and Authenticity: The Future of Human Leadership”

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​Why Sam Stands Out

 

Sam Kinsey-Briggs is not just another leadership speaker. She has:

 

• Lived and led under pressure – warzones, ships, and operations where decisions mattered.

• Sat on and chaired promotion boards – knows what leadership is really judged on.

• Balanced service with family life – proof that leadership must include welfare and wellbeing.

• Built ACSIS Life Coaching – bringing military clarity to civilian transformation.

 

Sam embodies clarity, courage, and confidence – and she helps audiences find the same within themselves.

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Book Captain Sam Kinsey-Briggs as a Keynote Speaker

 

If you are looking for a high-profile UK keynote speaker who blends military leadership, global perspective, and human insight, Sam Kinsey-Briggs delivers.

 

- Based in the UK with strong ties to London’s speaking circuit

- Available for events across the UK and internationally

- In-person and virtual speaking available

 

Email contact@acsis.co.uk to book Sam today to inspire your organisation or event. Or, submit an enquiry via our contact form.

 

✉ contact@acsis.co.uk

📞 07777558033

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Who is Captain Sam Kinsey-Briggs?

Captain Sam Kinsey-Briggs is a Royal Navy Captain, leadership coach, and keynote speaker with nearly 30 years of service across the British Army and Royal Navy. She is recognised as one of the UK’s top military speakers, known especially for her work on resilience, authentic leadership, and LGBTQ+ inclusion.

 

What makes Sam one of the UK’s leading keynote speakers?

Sam combines lived military experience in Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Falklands and NATO with a deeply personal journey of serving as a female leader in a male-dominated environment and as a member of the LGBTQ+ community during the ban on openly gay personnel in the Armed Forces. This unique perspective allows her to speak with authority, authenticity, and empathy.

 

Does Sam speak on LGBTQ+ topics?

Yes. Sam is a powerful voice for inclusion, identity, and authenticity. She draws on her experience of serving during the ban on LGBTQ+ personnel to highlight the importance of diversity, belonging, and leadership that values people for who they truly are.

 

Why is Sam’s story particularly relevant today?

Her career shows what it means to lead under pressure and to thrive through change. As someone who has balanced operational command with family life, built a business in ACSIS Life Coaching, and continues to support others in transition, Sam understands the challenges leaders and organisations face today—resilience, authenticity, and adapting without burnout.

 

What topics does Sam cover in her keynotes?

Popular themes include:

 

• Leading with courage and clarity in times of chaos

• Resilience without burnout

• Servant leadership in modern organisations

• LGBTQ+ inclusion and authenticity in leadership

• Veterans, transition, and identity beyond the uniform

• Neuroscience, nature and performance

• Human-centred leadership in the age of AI

 

Who is Sam’s message for?

Sam has inspired audiences across corporate organisations, public sector bodies, government, education, and international conferences. Her insights resonate with leaders at every level, future leaders in training, and anyone navigating change or seeking authentic resilience.

 

Why should we book Sam over other military speakers?

Unlike many military speakers, Sam brings the perspective of a female officer who has broken barriers in a male-dominated environment, alongside her identity as an LGBTQ+ leader who served during one of the most challenging periods for inclusion in the Armed Forces. Her talks are not just stories—they are practical lessons on resilience, authenticity, and purpose that audiences can apply immediately.

 

Where does Sam speak?

Sam is based in the UK with strong ties to London’s speaking circuit but is available for events across the UK and internationally. She delivers both in-person and virtual keynotes.