Patrick Cordingley DSO

Patrick Cordingley

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Former Commander of the Desert Rats in the First Gulf War

Invited to speak in the UK, Europe and internationally, Patrick shares his opinions and experiences on leadership, teamwork and dealing with times of crisis with his trademark modesty and good humour.

Audiences appreciate his engaging style. Patrick tailors each speech individually with the understanding that each event, and each audience, is different, with its own focus and challenges.

He is invited as a keynote speaker, a motivational and inspirational speaker and also to speak after lunch or after dinner. He enjoys Q&A sessions and tackling difficult topics. He is invited by national and international TV and radio to commentate on Defence and Strategy matters.

In 1991, Major General Patrick Cordingley commanded the 12,000 soldiers of the 7th Armoured Brigade, “The Desert Rats” during the first Gulf War. He then wrote his No1 best-selling book In the Eye of the Storm, an account of leading Britain’s largest armoured deployment since 1945.

Awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) for his leadership and bravery, Patrick is in demand nationally and internationally as a leading commentator on international affairs.

He is a visiting scholar at the University of Hull, where he is a Doctor of Science. His subject? Decision Making.

His principal speaking topics include: Leadership in Periods of Tension, High Intensity Conflict, Motivation, Building a Successful Team, Risk and Strategy, and Decision Making.

Patrick was appointed OBE in the 2017 Birthday Honours for services to the National Memorial Arboretum

In 2007, The Times Chief Sports Reporter wrote:

“…if Great Britain does achieve its stated goal of finishing fourth in the Olympic medals table in 2012, we may have to attribute much of the success to… Patrick Cordingley. If you ask a group of the best young sports coaches in the country, they will tell you that they have learnt as much about their trade from this man as any other.’”

The results of Team GB and Paralympic Team GB at London 2012 spoke for themselves.

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