BIO

After a career trail blazing as a female officer in the Royal Navy, Ellie Ablett is passionate about using her story, her skills and her experience to inspire and motivate others to thrive both personally and professionally.     

Ellie joined the Royal Navy in 1993 in the first wave of women to serve on the same terms as men and rose to be the most senior female officer before she decided to submit her notice and pursue new opportunities.  In the Navy she enjoyed a varied career as an Officer, including service in seven ships at sea, as the Executive Assistant to the Head of the Navy, the First Sea Lord, and as the Commanding Officer of HMS RALEIGH, the first woman to command a major naval training establishment. 

In 2013 she founded the Naval Servicewomen’s Network, a professional network for women across the Naval Service which continues to flourish today.  Her contribution was recognised in the New Years’ Honours List in 2014 with the award of the MBE as well as with The Spirit of Everywoman Award in 2013, WeAreTheCity’s Rising Star Diversity Champion Award in 2018 and by the Ministry of Defence in 2023 with a Vice Chief of the Defence Staff Commendation. 

An alumni of London Business School’s Senior Executive Programme, Ellie continues to deliver personal development events for Servicewomen.  Ellie also provides coaching and mentoring for women and organisations and works as an Outdoor Leader and Instructor.

Ellie speaks from the heart about her experiences, offering engaging and inspiring stories to illustrate a wide variety of subjects including Equity, Inclusion and Diversity, working in male dominated organisations, mental resilience, personal and professional development, good leadership and followership and motivational life lessons.

Testimonials:

“Lots of great feedback from the whole team - everyone came away with things to think about. As a growing business, navigating a great deal of change, Ellie provided just the right motivational input we needed to enhance our Team Building Day.”

Allan Webb Ltd

“What made Ellie’s presentation so effective was having achieved the rank of Commodore in the Royal Navy she automatically commandeered respect from our conservative organisation.  Tackling subjects like unconscious bias could be seen as quite threatening if not managed carefully.  Ellie quickly nailed her brief.  She understood her audience and therefore how to pitch her presentation.  Her air of authority was apparent but it was her non-threatening bubbly personality, her down to earth approach and gentle sense of humour that grabbed the interest of those attending.  I would have no hesitation working with Ellie again or commending her to others as an effective speaker.”

Women in the Livery, Worshipful Company of Plumbers

"Ellie’s story was engaging, entertaining and truly inspirational.  After her speech she skilfully hosted a lively, positive discussion.  Feedback from the audience was overwhelmingly positive - she gave us all much to reflect upon. Her determination in a truly male-dominated world and the work she continues to do for women in the Royal Navy is remarkable."

Lenovo

Further information, please get in touch with Deborah:

hello@papillonspeakers.com

07814 934740