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Nerves of Steel: What Surgery Teaches Us About Performing Under Pressure

Ashley Simpson


Region:
Anywhere
Notice Period:
Short (maybe less than one month's notice)
Type:
Consultant Surgeon, Medical Leader and Inspirational After-Dinner Speaker
Fee:
Paid: £3,000 + VAT
Category:
Business
Updated:
4th April 2026

A talk about decision-making when the stakes are high. Drawing on life in the operating theatre, Ashley explores how people can stay calm, think clearly, and lead effectively when outcomes matter and pressure is unavoidable.

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About Ashley Simpson

Ashley Simpson is a Consultant Peripheral Nerve Surgeon, educator, and charity leader with one of the most unusual and compelling career journeys in British medicine. From working at the European Space Agency’s Astronaut Training Centre to becoming a leading specialist in complex nerve injury surgery, his career has been shaped by precision, innovation, and a fascination with human performance.

Today, Ashley works at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, treating patients with life-changing nerve injuries and helping restore movement, function, and hope. Alongside his surgical practice, he is a Trustee of Pain UK and Chair of its Clinical Advisory Board, a published academic, an award-winning educator, and an experienced speaker on leadership, resilience, recovery, and decision-making under pressure.

Blending remarkable clinical stories with insight, humour, and humanity, Ashley offers audiences a powerful perspective on what surgery, science, pain, and recovery can teach us about thriving in high-stakes environments.


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