Seb Sheppard

Sebastian Sheppard – F1 Engineering Manager & Expert in High-Performance Mindset & Keynote Speaker.

With over 20 years of experience leading at the intersection of technology and human performance, Sebastian (Seb) Sheppard is a senior leader and inspirational speaker who operated in the world’s most competitive technical environment: Formula 1.

A specialist in driving cultural transformation and navigating complex change, Seb has built a career on the principle that world-class performance is achieved not just through technical expertise, but by empowering and motivating people.

Seb’s unique leadership foundation was forged in high-pressure environments, beginning his career as a Lieutenant in the Royal Navy. As a pilot flying anti-submarine helicopters, he developed the split-second decision-making and resilience required to operate in one of the world’s most demanding arenas. This military background, combined with a global upbringing in Chile and fluency in Spanish, allows him to bring a diverse, multi-cultural perspective to modern business challenges.

In Formula 1, Seb recently led over 150 engineers at Alpine F1, a role he held for more than six years. Responsible for the time-critical design and engineering of race cars, he fostered a high-performing culture where technical precision meets psychological safety.

Seb champions an F1 Mindset that defines resilience as a proactive strategic tool. In his view, high performance is not about merely assembling a group of experts; it is about cultivating a mindset that transforms inevitable setbacks into valuable learning opportunities. He teaches organizations how to apply these “pit-lane principles”—such as marginal gains, rapid iteration, and radical accountability—to protect value and drive growth in any sector.

His expertise extends far beyond the track. Seb served as Head of Transformation at Altran (now Capgemini), where he directed post-merger integrations across the UK and Northern Europe, applying a people-based perspective to protect the value of high-tech firms. He also held senior management roles at Airbus, overseeing the A400M Wing Final Assembly Line and successfully managing the turnaround of complex aerospace logistics.

An academic contributor as well as a practitioner, Seb is an MBA graduate from the University of Edinburgh and a visiting lecturer at prestigious institutions including the Universities of Oxford, Edinburgh, and Melbourne. He shares his insights on leadership, motivation, and the power of data science to help organizations build resilient, people-centric cultures.

SPEAKING TOPICS

High-Performance Leadership in the Age of AI: Insights from F1, the Ultimate Data-Driven Enterprise

Formula 1 is the world’s most intense, data-driven enterprise. This keynote explores how leaders manage teams at the cutting edge of AI and data science, where the competitive edge is within the “blink of an eye”. Learn the F1 frameworks for leveraging AI: from Concept to Track in car design, to using data for Strategic Decision-Making. Using real lived experiences, the talk emphasises that while AI drives speed, Culture and Psychological Safety are the true competitive advantage. Discover how leaders can champion a Culture of Innovation and Experimentation, and successfully implement a Visionary Strategy to stay ahead of the curve while navigating the risks of a data-first world.

High-Velocity Decisions: Lessons in Risk and Execution from F1 Pit Stops

Explore the science of High-Speed Decision-Making and Risk Management in dynamic environments. Using the F1 pit stop as a masterclass in synchronised, rapid execution, and special forces operations as a model for decisive action under pressure, learn how to build Rapid Decision Cycles. This session covers contingency planning, using real-time data for accuracy, and creating a culture of disciplined execution when time is the critical constraint. Using real experiences from Elite units and F1, this talk will help focus teams into high performing units.

Blink of an Eye; High-Performance Leadership from Formula 1: How to Outpace the Competition and Drive Sustained Success

This keynote uses the high-stakes, data-driven world of Formula 1 to reveal the strategic and cultural blueprints for sustained success. Discover how elite teams build the Chassis of Success through vision, trust, and resilience. Drawing from real lived experiences, the session decodes the Race Strategy for high-speed decision-making and agility, and explores how the Pit Crew achieves flawless execution through synchronisation and collective accountability. Attendees will learn how to transition from individual talent to a collective force, leading teams that are highly adaptable and capable of outpacing any competitor to drive sustained excellence.

The Data-Driven Leader: F1 Insights on Continuous Improvement & AI

Go inside the “Design-Build-Race-Optimise” cycle of Formula One to reveal how elite teams achieve Continuous Improvement and Iteration. This keynote demonstrates how AI and Data Science are not just tools but a core part of strategic advantage. Businesses will learn how to apply agile principles for rapid development, establish a culture of learning from failure, and implement effective retrospective practices to accelerate innovation cycles and maintain a competitive edge.

Leader vs. Manager: Cultivating Trust and Psychological Safety in Elite Teams

Take a deep dive into Strategic Leadership focusing on the crucial distinction between leading people (inspiring, coaching, empowering) and managing processes. Using examples of F1 team principals and military Mission Command and real lived experiences, this talk reveals the foundation of sustainable high performance: Culture and Trust. Learn how to foster Psychological Safety so teams feel empowered to speak up and challenge, enabling decentralised decision-making and unlocking latent team capability for superior results.

Retention Through Purpose: The Three Pillars of Sustainable High-Performance

Address the critical business challenge of retaining high-performing talent. Using F1 and Elite units cultures and behaviours, this session breaks down the Fundamentals of High-Performance Teams into Three Pillars: Purpose (connecting roles to the North Star), Positive Engagement (building strong relationships and investing in teams), and Clear Communication (transparency and two-way dialogue). Discover the leadership behaviours and systems that create an environment where top talent thrives and commits for the long term.

Leadership at the Cutting Edge: Resilience and Humility When Failure Isn’t an Option

A powerful, high-energy session blending stories from military aviation and Formula One to highlight the characteristics of Leadership at the Cutting Edge. The focus is on clarity, resilience, and humility—the traits required when leading technical teams in high-stakes environments. Drawing from real lived experiences, attendees will gain guidance on applying elite leadership habits to navigate complexity, build accountability, and make effective decisions under the most intense organisational challenges.