Fellow, Cambridge University, Author of “ Story-Centred Leadership ”, Expert in Influence & Impact Leadership and Storytelling
Zoë Arden
€5k–€10k
UK (incl NI)
Zoë Arden
Fellow, Cambridge University, Author of “ Story-Centred Leadership ”, Expert in Influence & Impact Leadership and Storytelling
Why book Zoë Arden?
- Zoë Arden combines senior global corporate leadership experience with academic insight from the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership , helping organisations translate strategy into meaningful cultural and behavioural change
- She delivers highly practical and engaging sessions on leadership storytelling, executive presence, transformation and influence, drawing on work with organisations including AstraZeneca, Chanel, BT, Shell and Unilever
- Zoë brings warmth, credibility and real-world expertise to every stage, equipping leaders with actionable frameworks that strengthen communication, collaboration and impact in complex environments
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Biography
Zoë works at the intersection of leadership and storytelling. She is a Fellow at the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL), Visiting Fellow at Cranfield University and a contributor at the Judge Business School and Møller Institute. She has supported thousands of business leaders globally to strengthen their capability, confidence, courage and commitment to lead change through her masterclasses and influence and impact coaching.
Her book Story-Centred Leadership – Crafting Cultures of Change (Routledge, 2026) illuminates how our stories can engage, motivate and mobilise others. More than ever, we need stories that help us build healthy, productive workplaces and communities – stories that grow our sense of agency as citizens, grounded in the belief that every voice and every action matters.
Zoë designs and delivers leadership programmes for many global businesses. Current clients include Astra Zeneca, Chanel and Chief of Staff Association. She is the co-author of the Cambridge Leadership Capabilities for the 21 st Century framework (December 2025) and her online courses Communicating for Influence and Impact and Leading Sustainability: High Impact Leadership have a global alumni. .
Previous business roles include Director of Communications and Sustainability at telecoms giant BT; European Managing Director at global communications firms Weber Shandwick and Golin; Director of advisory firm SustainAbility, and Vice President of US agency Access Communications, working with Apple.
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Topics
Leadership Storytelling
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Communicating for Influence and Impact
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How to influence and engage others with an inspiring leadership narrative to accelerate action and engagement with colleagues, clients and other key stakeholders.
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Masterclasses
Masterclass 1
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You may want to go deeper with your audience. Masterclasses can be tailored and developed to suit your audience needs, be it a 90-minute Masterclass , a half-day or full-day workshop or a full online or face-to-face programme. Please contact one of our expert team to discuss.
Leadership Storytelling: Communicating for Influence and Impact
An interactive workshop to develop capabilities and skills in influencing and engaging others, including creating an inspiring leadership narrative using a unique story model and framework that participants can put to work immediately to accelerate action and engagement with colleagues, clients and other key stakeholders.
The session explores why stakeholder engagement and storytelling are important, starting with the role of narrative in driving change. It includes:
Story listening including walking in stakeholders’ shoes
Story building , the development of a narrative including story ingredients (anecdotes, data points etc) that can ‘turn the lights on’ for key stakeholders
Story sharing , an opportunity to practice with peers
Story shaping , consider how to strengthen team culture by activating stories
Story living , practical ways to strengthen executive presence
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Testimonials
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Enquire about today!
Enquire about Zoë Arden today!
Zoë Arden
Fellow, Cambridge University, Author of “Story-Centred Leadership”, Expert in Influence & Impact Leadership and Storytelling
why book zoë?
- Zoë Arden combines senior global corporate leadership experience with academic insight from the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, helping organisations translate strategy into meaningful cultural and behavioural change
- She delivers highly practical and engaging sessions on leadership storytelling, executive presence, transformation and influence, drawing on work with organisations including AstraZeneca, Chanel, BT, Shell and Unilever
- Zoë brings warmth, credibility and real-world expertise to every stage, equipping leaders with actionable frameworks that strengthen communication, collaboration and impact in complex environments
“Your talk resonated with so many people in the audience (as you could see from the book sales and conversations afterwards), and I think your messages was so timely (and uplifting) for many who are trying to influence change in the face of organisational headwinds. I loved the way you brought the participants’ own stories, and so many other individuals in the room (with their names – so impressive!) into the conversation – it felt very inclusive.”
Cranfield University Professor April 2026
Biography
Zoë works at the intersection of leadership and storytelling. She is a Fellow at the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL), Visiting Fellow at Cranfield University and a contributor at the Judge Business School and Møller Institute. She has supported thousands of business leaders globally to strengthen their capability, confidence, courage and commitment to lead change through her masterclasses and influence and impact coaching.
Her book Story-Centred Leadership – Crafting Cultures of Change (Routledge, 2026) illuminates how our stories can engage, motivate and mobilise others. More than ever, we need stories that help us build healthy, productive workplaces and communities – stories that grow our sense of agency as citizens, grounded in the belief that every voice and every action matters.
Zoë designs and delivers leadership programmes for many global businesses. Current clients include Astra Zeneca, Chanel and Chief of Staff Association. She is the co-author of the Cambridge Leadership Capabilities for the 21st Century framework (December 2025) and her online courses Communicating for Influence and Impact and Leading Sustainability: High Impact Leadership have a global alumni. .
Previous business roles include Director of Communications and Sustainability at telecoms giant BT; European Managing Director at global communications firms Weber Shandwick and Golin; Director of advisory firm SustainAbility, and Vice President of US agency Access Communications, working with Apple.
Topics
Leadership Storytelling:
Communicating for Influence and Impact
How to influence and engage others with an inspiring leadership narrative to accelerate action and engagement with colleagues, clients and other key stakeholders.
In this session you will learn:
- Why stakeholder engagement and storytelling are important, starting with the role of narrative in driving change
- How to build empathy and insight by walking in your audience’s shoes
- Practical ways to strengthen executive presence
Catalysing Leadership Transformation
How to build high performing teams with psychological safety and a growth mindset.
In this session you will learn:
- About the Personal Boardroom tool to deepen and diversify insights and connections.
- How to deploy the leadership attributes required to deliver a successful strategy
- Anchor leadership that is collaborative, creative and courageous in daily practice
Thriving in Complexity
How to thrive in complexity and lead yourself and others.
In this session you will learn:
- To combat our evolutionary biases that hamper us from navigating complexity
- Develop awareness, capabilities and skills to thrive in complexity
- Identify specific next steps to foster future thrivability including safe to fail experiments
Leading with the 3Cs:
Conflict, Curiosity and Candour
How to leverage some of the more challenging leadership attributes to unlock creativity and transformation.
In this session you will learn:
- How to rewire our mental models about these three essential qualities to advance change
- Develop new practical approaches that foster better solutions and innovation
- Reframe thinking and practice to support long-term adaptability
Zoë Arden
Masterclasses
You may want to go deeper with your audience. Masterclasses can be tailored and developed to suit your audience needs, be it a 90-minute Masterclass, a half-day or full-day workshop or a full online or face-to-face programme. Please contact one of our expert team to discuss.
Leadership Storytelling: Communicating for Influence and Impact
An interactive workshop to develop capabilities and skills in influencing and engaging others, including creating an inspiring leadership narrative using a unique story model and framework that participants can put to work immediately to accelerate action and engagement with colleagues, clients and other key stakeholders.
The session explores why stakeholder engagement and storytelling are important, starting with the role of narrative in driving change. It includes:
- Story listening including walking in stakeholders’ shoes
- Story building, the development of a narrative including story ingredients (anecdotes, data points etc) that can ‘turn the lights on’ for key stakeholders
- Story sharing, an opportunity to practice with peers
- Story shaping, consider how to strengthen team culture by activating stories
- Story living, practical ways to strengthen executive presence
Resources
Podcasts
Books
“Zoe was engaging and enthusiastic throughout. Her framework for storytelling is a useful tool for both self-reflection and for engaging new audiences. I will use this again in the future. Thank you!”
Cambridge
testimonials
“Your talk resonated with so many people in the audience (as you could see from the book sales and conversations afterwards), and I think your messages was so timely (and uplifting) for many who are trying to influence change in the face of organisational headwinds. I loved the way you brought the participants’ own stories, and so many other individuals in the room (with their names – so impressive!) into the conversation – it felt very inclusive.”
Cranfield University Professor April 2026
“Zoe was engaging and enthusiastic throughout.
- Zoe’s session was amazing.
- Zoe’s session was one of the most valuable sessions in the week for me.
- This was a very actionable session that helped me a lot with my storytelling skills and the way I want to address certain stakeholders.
- This was wonderful. Zoe is engaging. Her framework for storytelling is a useful tool for both self-reflection and for engaging new audiences. I will use this again in the future. Thank you!”
CAMBRIDGE
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Fellow, Cambridge University, Author of Story-Centred Leadership, Expert in Influence & Impact Leadership and Storytelling
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