
Roger Delves
- Professor of Leadership Practice at Hult Ashridge Executive Education
- Co-author of The Top Fifty Management Dilemmas and contributor to Inspiring Leadership
- Extensive international teaching experience across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and the Americas
- Expert in emotional intelligence, authenticity, and transformational leadership
- Former Board Director at DMB&B and founder of innovative ventures in Ireland
What Roger Delves's clients say
"Roger is an inspirational leader. His exceptional teaching style and ability to motivate helped me develop my leadership potential, understand my weaknesses, and turn then into strengths of mine. The combination of his applied professional experience and academic knowledge makes Roger a great mentor and teacher. I highly endorse him in all of his professional endeavors."
"I have worked with Roger in an international leadership programme for several years at Cranfield Business University. He has the unique capacity for combining a rigourous intellect with a totally engaging style of presentation. He draws from deep learning and proven people development techniques to create a winning presence in his delivery and an outstanding breadth of knowledge as a resource. It would be hard to imagine a commercial scenario where Roger would not make both an innovative and thought provoking contribution, whether that be at a strategic level or a hands on experiential level. Roger is a master of his craft."
"The lessons which Roger taught on the Ashridge MBA really have been the most valuable that I have received throughout my whole career. The content and delivery was best in class. His authentic leadership module was fantastic. Roger also mentored me. Again, Roger's mentoring was the best that I have received. His comments were thoughtful, provoking and extremely valuable. "
Available for
Languages:Â
- English
Roger Delves's 2025 biography
Roger Delves, Anglo-Irish by birth and a Fellow of the RSA, is a renowned Professor of Leadership Practice at Hult Ashridge Executive Education. Educated at St Catherine’s College, Oxford, where he studied English, Roger’s career spans advertising, entrepreneurship, and management education, making him a trusted authority in leadership development and organizational transformation.
Starting at B&B advertising agency in 1979, Roger rose to Board Director in just six years. Following a merger, he established Ireland’s first international advertising agency under the DMB&B banner, serving clients like Mars Masterfoods and P&G. Under his leadership, DMB&B became one of Ireland’s top three agencies by billing.
Roger’s entrepreneurial ventures include founding The Programme People, a production company for Ireland’s independent radio network, and Equestrian Vision, which supplied specialist equestrian equipment and feedstuffs. His diverse experience has shaped his insights into business leadership and innovation.
Since moving to the UK in 1996, Roger has focused on leadership education, holding roles at Cranfield University School of Management and Hult Ashridge. For over 18 years, he has specialized in teaching transformational leadership, emphasizing authenticity, emotional intelligence, and effective team engagement.
Roger’s research and thought leadership have redefined how organizations approach leadership. His chapter _Leadership for an Unknowable Tomorrow_ in _Leadership after Covid-19_ (Springer, 2022) highlights the need for adaptability in a rapidly changing world. His publications, including _The Top Fifty Management Dilemmas_ (Pearson, 2014) and _Inspiring Leadership_ (Bloomsbury, 2017), provide actionable strategies for leaders navigating complex challenges.
Roger is a sought-after speaker and educator, delivering programs across the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. His recent article on values and purpose in leadership, published in _Developing Leaders Quarterly_ (2023), underscores his commitment to guiding leaders toward impactful and sustainable practices.
Roger Delves inspires individuals and organizations to embrace transformational leadership, offering the tools and insights needed to thrive in an ever-changing world.
Roger Delves's 2025 talks & topics
Authentic Leadership: Leading with Integrity
Discover the power of authenticity in leadership and how it fosters trust, loyalty, and effective communication within teams and organizations.
Emotional Intelligence in Leadership
Learn how to understand and apply emotional intelligence to navigate challenges, inspire teams, and build meaningful relationships.
Transformational Leadership and Change
Explore how transformational leaders embrace and drive change, equipping their teams to thrive in uncertain environments.
Leading in a VUCA World
Gain insights into how leaders can effectively navigate Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous (VUCA) environments with clarity and confidence.
Cultivating Compassion in Leadership
Understand the importance of compassion—for oneself and others—in creating resilient, mindful, and high-performing teams.
Building Resilience and Mindfulness
Learn strategies for fostering resilience and mindfulness to maintain focus, balance, and effectiveness under pressure.
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
Explore practical approaches to recognize and overcome imposter syndrome, empowering yourself and others to reach their full potential.