We recently had the opportunity to have a conversation with Ann Palmer, a reputed Leader, Consultant, Speaker, and Executive Coach. Bringing an experience of over 35 years spanning across education, government, non-profit, and corporate sectors in the UK and globally, Ann blends visionary leadership with operational rigour. As the CEO of Fig Tree International, she leverages her expertise in offering high-quality training and help for educational institutions.
Ann is also the creator of the accredited Race and Conscious Equality (RACE) Charter Mark for schools and colleges. Additionally, as the Executive Director of Race to Excellence, she works with national and global corporations to embed DEIB into their core framework. An award-winning CEO and pioneering leader, Ann Palmer is empowering professionals in their leadership journey.
Spark Behind the Journey
We started the interview by asking, “Could you start by telling us about your professional journey and inspiration behind jumping on this path?”
Ann shared, “My professional journey began in education, leading large-scale institutions and major capital projects, one of which involved overseeing a £32 million new-build programme, but over time, I became increasingly involved in organisational strategy, leadership development, and systems thinking. That naturally expanded my reach into the corporate and non-profit sectors.
A key turning point was founding two companies, Fig Tree International, Race to Excellence and more latterly, Elevate Ed Global. Through these consultancies, I’ve worked with global organisations across sectors, engineering, finance, recruitment, and infrastructure, helping senior leaders and boards embed equity, improve decision-making, and deliver sustainable change. We’ve designed strategic frameworks, facilitated board-level training, and introduced accreditation models that drive accountability and impact.
Another pivotal moment has been my role on the UK’s Generative AI Training Advisory Board. It’s positioned me at the intersection of leadership, ethics, and innovation, helping organisations navigate disruption while staying values-led and performance-focused.
What’s shaped me most is working with C-suite teams who are bold enough to rethink culture, strategy, and growth. That’s where I bring the most value, supporting executive leaders to align vision, people, and performance at scale.”
Lessons Embraced in the Journey
We then asked, “As a professional in this field, what are a few lessons that helped you in leading your work?”
She mentioned, “One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that clarity and alignment are everything. Whether you’re leading a team of five, or influencing a global boardroom, people need to understand the ‘why’ behind the work. That’s how you build buy-in, not just compliance.
Secondly, never underestimate the power of culture. In my businesses, we’ve worked with corporates across sectors, and no matter how robust the strategy, it will falter if the culture isn’t ready. That’s why we integrate leadership training with real-time implementation, helping teams embed inclusive thinking into everyday decision-making.
Another key lesson: don’t fear complexity — engage with it. I’ve led large capital projects and worked across sectors from education to governments and finance. The organisations that thrive are the ones that stay curious, agile, and committed to long-term thinking.
Finally, invest in people. I coach senior leaders across the globe, and the most successful ones are those who listen, grow, and create space for others to lead. Leadership isn’t a solo act; it’s a team performance.”
Challenges In Turning Ideas into Reality
To learn Ann Palmer’s perspective on the challenges in starting a new business, we asked, “Would you like to share what you feel is a major challenge in starting a business or career? And how did you overcome it?”
“One of the major challenges in starting a business, especially when transitioning from a successful leadership career is positioning your value in a way that resonates across sectors. When I launched Race to Excellence, I knew the impact we had created in education could transfer into the corporate world, but shifting perceptions and building trust in new industries takes time, resilience, and strategic clarity.
Another challenge is scaling with purpose. When you care deeply about the work, as I do around equity, leadership, and transformation, it’s easy to get caught up in delivery, but growing a sustainable business means learning to delegate, build strong systems, and focus on high-impact work.
I overcame these challenges by staying rooted in my values, while adapting my methods. I invested in strategic partnerships, listened closely to client needs, and wasn’t afraid to evolve the business model. Today, the businesses I run are trusted by global organisations, and I’m proud that we’ve maintained our integrity while expanding our influence. Every challenge became a foundation for growth and proof that the right vision, delivered well, will always find its place,” Ann explained.
Plans we asked Ann Palmer
Interested to learn more about the goals Ann Palmer has set for her professional path, we asked, “What are your plans with the services/products that you provide? Could you share a bit about it with our viewers?”
Ann responded, “My work spans leadership development, executive coaching, equity strategy, and AI-readiness for organisations navigating complexity and change. I support global companies with high-impact training, board-level advisory, coaching for executive and senior staff and strategic accreditation frameworks that embed inclusion, accountability, and innovation into their core.
This year, we’re expanding our global footprint with major events, including The Transformational Leadership in Global Education Conference and The Executive Circle: Education Owners & CEOs Retreat, both taking place in Saudi Arabia. These events convene decision-makers, investors, and sector leaders to shape the future of education and organisational leadership across the region and beyond.
Alongside this, I deliver senior leadership training on AI Strategy in Education and Enterprise, supporting boards, CEOs, and executive teams to lead confidently in the age of AI. As an accredited executive coach, I also work one-to-one with executive and senior leaders across sectors to support bold decision-making, cultural change, and sustainable growth.
Whether through strategic consultancy, coaching, or high-level events, my focus is on helping organisations deliver measurable, ethical impact and I invite those committed to serious transformation to connect.”
Impact of AI’s Rise
Nowadays, as you would see, AI is everywhere. Even businesses are adapting to it increasingly. So, we asked Ann Palmer to share her thoughts on the same.
“AI is undoubtedly one of the most significant disruptors of our time and businesses that fail to engage with it strategically will fall behind, but it’s important to move beyond the superficial AI stage, as AI is about leadership. It challenges how we think, make decisions, and build cultures of trust and innovation.
What concerns me is the rush to implement without reflection. AI adoption must be ethical, inclusive, and aligned with organisational purpose. That’s why much of my work now focuses on training boards and senior leaders to understand AI not just as a tool, but as a transformational force that requires clear governance, cross-functional leadership, and a human-centred approach.
As a member of the UK’s Generative AI Training Advisory Board and author of ‘Leading with AI’ (April 2025), I help organisations embed AI in ways that are responsible and sustainable. My message to business leaders is simple: don’t fear AI, but don’t delegate it either. The future belongs to those who lead it, thoughtfully, strategically, and with integrity,” Ann reflected.
Words of Wisdom for Aspiring Professionals
Lastly, we asked, “What would be your advice to beginners in this field or in any field of business?”
Ann shared, “My advice is to lead with clarity, not comparison. In the early stages, it’s easy to look sideways at what others are doing, but the most sustainable businesses are built on a strong sense of purpose. Know what you stand for, define the problem you solve, and be clear about the value you bring.
Second, invest in learning constantly. The pace of change, particularly with AI and digital transformation, means you can’t afford to stay still. Surround yourself with people who challenge you, who see differently, and who raise your standard, and finally, build relationships before you need them. Strategic partnerships, mentors, and collaborators will be vital at every stage. Don’t just network, connect meaningfully, with integrity and generosity.
Whether you’re entering leadership, launching a business, or reshaping your career, remember that consistency builds credibility. Stay focused, stay ethical, and don’t be afraid to start before you’re fully ready. That’s how momentum is created.”
Connect with Ann Palmer on LinkedIn to gain industry insights and learn more about her journey.
Also Read:-
Inside Jessica Nightingale-Ellis’s World Of Luxury Interiors And Handcrafted Art
Digital Transformation In The GCC: Dr. Dieter Hovorka Of Skillz ME
About Author
