Be amongst the first to experience this inaugural immersive leadership development event.

Business on the Battlefield Pilot

Leadership lessons from Operation Market Garden

Thursday 17 September 2026

This is your exclusive invitation to step away from the demands of your business and immerse yourself in a unique leadership development experience unlike any other.

Business on the Battlefield combines the moving stories of Operation Market Garden with facilitated leadership discussions, coaching and reflection to help you think differently about the challenges facing your business.

Beginning at the magnificent Belton House, you'll travel to several nearby Market Garden battlefield locations where the landscape itself becomes the classroom. Rather than simply learning military history, we'll use the events, decisions and experiences of those who fought there to explore the realities of leadership in business.

Throughout the day we'll examine themes including:

· Leading through uncertainty

· Decision-making under pressure

· Building resilient teams

· Communication when it matters most

· Strategic planning and execution

· Trust, accountability and leadership under pressure

Every discussion is designed to help you draw practical insights that can be applied within your own organisation.

Meet your facilitators

Ian Astley is a retired Lieutenant Colonel and an experienced executive coach, mentor and leadership consultant who works with business owners, directors and senior leaders across the UK. Drawing on his distinguished military career alongside extensive coaching and mentoring experience, Ian helps leaders improve performance, develop their people and navigate complex organisational challenges. He has participated in, and led, battlefield studies with The British Army across the world.

Joining Ian is Mike Ainsworth, a retired Wing Commander who helped develop the acclaimed Soldiers from the Sky heritage trail. Mike brings Operation Market Garden to life through the stories of the people, places and decisions that shaped one of the most famous and stretegically important airborne operations of the Second World War.

Together, Ian and Mike create an experience that blends history, leadership and practical business application.

Why attend?

This event is the inaugural pilot of Business on the Battlefield before its full commercial launch later this year. Places are available by invitation only, and as a pilot participant, you'll be among the first to experience this innovative leadership programme while helping refine it for future audiences.

Your place is available at a special introductory rate of just £22, which helps cover the day's costs and confirms your attendance.

Book your place by 1 September 2026 to secure your place on this exclusive pilot event.

Description supplied by the event organiser.