Ash Phillips Speaker | Technology & Enterprise & Creative & Lifestyle & Careers & Assemblies and Celebrations Events

Ash Phillips

Award winning young entrepreneur, founder of YENA and TEDx speaker who loves to inspire the next generation of leaders.

After being 'decidedly average' at school and dropping out of university at 19, Ash started his first business - a design agency, which he grew to employ seven staff, working with clients such as Longleat and Tesco.

Realising this journey was a lonely one, without people to share the successes and failures with, Ash founded YENA - a community for future leaders, young entrepreneurs and ambitious professionals, designed to bring together like-minded people, like him.

Today YENA spans the UK delivering programmes and insights that benefit startups, corporates and everything in between. It has locations in seven cities, connects over 3,000 people per year and boasts hundreds of paying members and partners including some of the worlds biggest companies such as PwC and Ministry of Sound.

For his work so far, Ash has been awarded Best Mentor/Advisor of the Year at TechSPARK UK's SPARKies Awards, ahead of three other people all 30 years his senior. He has also been listed on the prestigious Maserati100 alongside the likes of Richard Branson and Peter Jones, for his work in developing the next generation of business leaders.

Ash is an expert in marketing, business development, digital and social networks, networking and personal branding. He is passionate about helping young people achieve their potential.

Testimonials from Teachers

"It was great to have Ash Phillips speaking at the Chevening Alumni Alliance AGM at the IoD in Pall Mall. He shared his top tips about networking and engaged with the audience through questions and a very positive attitude. We all enjoyed his talk and I am happy to recommend Ash as a good quality speaker."

– Laura Vanessa Munoz, Chair of the Board of Directors

"Ash Philips gave a spirited and engaging talk which captivated the interest and imagination of our Team Entrepreneurs (students on UWEs Team Entrepreneurship degree programme). He shared his insights and experiences as a young entrepreneur, stimulating conversation and debate as he did so. Feedback from the participants after the talk was universally positive. Highly recommended."

– Adrian Rivers, Team Entrepreneurship Programme Lead, University of the West of England (UWE)

"Ash was well prepared and engaging. He inspired countless students with his forward thinking presentation that made them think outside the box."

– Sarah Jarvie, School Partnerships and Progression Officer, Weston College