Husband and Dad

Leadership and Management Trainer

Author of 'Starting Strong'

Founder of Ultimate Leadership Training Ltd

  • Multi-Award Winning Business Owner/Manager
  • Volunteer D of E Supervisor and outdoor leader
  • Eternal optimist
  • Adventurer

Grow In Confidence, knowledge and accountability

Learn From Real Management Experience

Become Everyone Else's Favourite Manager

Learn How to Hit Targets and Keep People Longer


Hi, I’m Adrian Close, management and leadership growth specialist, author, expedition trekker and people development fanatic.

It started with a simple idea: leadership should lift people up.

I’ve spent my whole career working face-to-face with people, building businesses, leading teams, winning awards, and learning what really makes a difference. Over the years, I’ve managed teams as small as 15 and as large as 1,000. Whether I was running my own business or leading managers across a region, one thing always stayed the same: people come first.

That’s why, on 21 September 2019, I launched Ultimate Leadership Training Ltd, a company built on one goal: to help new and aspiring managers lead with empathy, energy, and confidence, not outdated habits and fear.

Our approach is rooted in one core belief:
If you focus on your people, the performance takes care of itself.
When your team’s values match your organisation’s values, everything flows better, from teamwork and morale to results and growth.

That belief was inspired by Olympic gold medallist Ben Hunt-Davis and drives everything we do.

Today, Ultimate Leadership Training is made up of a brilliant team of five. Our superstar VA keeps everything running behind the scenes, and our four amazing training consultants deliver the sessions I can’t personally fit into my schedule, or the ones that need specialist expertise. We work together to bring leadership to life for teams across the UK and beyond.

We don’t just teach leadership.
We help people become the kind of leaders others want to follow.

Adrian Close Freelance Training consultant specialising in management, leadership, coaching and HR skillsAdrian Close
Ultimate Leadership Skills Training courses holding managers and leadership teams accountable for achieving the training goals

My 10 day solo wild camping expedition on the Tour de Mont BlancMy 10 day solo wild camping expedition on the Tour de Mont Blanc

Leading and managing teams of People should be a pleasure not a chore

I personally don’t believe that people are born leaders. I think it’s something that everyone can learn and develop (over time) and once your team members get it, no matter what stage of their career they are at – that’s where and when the magic happens!

I believe that all management and leadership training needs two things:

  • It needs to be continuous and come with additional ongoing coaching and support where and when needed
  • The learners need to be held accountable for achieving the training goals and then become the organisation's future mentors.


➡️ Have a look at our leadership and management academy ⬅️


And the Mission Continues...



I now train and support new and aspiring managers to become everyone's favourite manager (Yes I believe this is possible) and encourage them to lead with emotional intelligence and a strong set of personal core values at the heart of everything they do.

When I say everyone's favourite manager, the everyone refers to themselves, their team, their friends, their family, their managers, their HR manager, their customers, their suppliers, the planet and the bottom line. 

I appreciate all managers wear lots of different hats and are required to spin lots of different plates (it can feel like a circus at times 🙂). I've been there and was developed to do the same, that's how I can build a rapport quickly with the learners who sit on my courses or join the 12 Month Online Growth Academy - they know I get them, they know I know where they are now and where they want to be!

red right


Click Here For The Ultimate Online Leadership and Management Training Academy


A coaching and supportive style of management is not just essential - It's a Superpower!



Don't Lose Team Members to Better Managers and Leadership Teams!


Time management and clarity are essential for achieving goals, whatever ‘mountain’ your climbing 😊 ⛰️ 

Piton des Neiges, Reunion - 3,070 m (10,070 ft)Piton des Neiges, Reunion - 3,070 m (10,070 ft)
Toubkal, the Atlas Mountains, Morocco - 4,167 m (13,671 ft)Toubkal, the Atlas Mountains, Morocco - 4,167 m (13,671 ft)
The mighty Kilimanjaro, Tanzania - 5,895 m (19,341 ft)The mighty Kilimanjaro, Tanzania - 5,895 m (19,341 ft)


Contact Me Here to Discuss Your Training Needs