Kate Philp

Kate Philp, the first British female to lose a limb in combat, is a decorated military leader, inspiring speaker, coach, and author, known for her resilience and leadership expertise.

Kate Philp is a trailblazing figure, being the first British female to lose a limb in combat. She shares her extraordinary story of frontline leadership and personal adversity with a humble yet captivating style. Drawing from her extensive military experience, Kate offers profound insights into leadership, communication, relationship management, and problem-solving under pressure. Her resilience and ability to manage uncertainty, honed through overcoming a life-changing injury, make her a compelling Speaker, Coach, and Facilitator.

After graduating in Classics from Oxford University, Kate joined the Army and was deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Her leadership, decision-making, technical skills, and adaptability were rigorously tested in the high-stakes environment of combat operations. Her tour in Afghanistan ended abruptly due to injuries from an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), leading to the amputation of her leg below the knee.

Undeterred by persistent medical issues, Kate set a new goal to focus on her rehabilitation. In 2013, she trekked to the South Pole with the charity Walking With The Wounded, an achievement that earned her a nomination for the Women of the Year awards in 2014.

After 13 years of military service, Kate founded Corran Consulting Ltd, where she has supported clients across various sectors, including pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, technology, legal, financial services, healthcare, insurance, construction, media, hospitality, education, and the criminal justice system. She holds a CMI Level 7 Extended Diploma in Strategic Management & Leadership, a Diploma in Life & Business Coaching accredited by the Association for Coaching, and is an NLP Practitioner.

In 2021, Kate contributed a chapter to the book “Purposeful People,” an anthology of 20 authors, with all proceeds supporting four charities: SSAFA The Armed Forces Charity, Cancer Fund for Children, Shelter UK, and Samten (Meditation & Mindfulness). The book quickly became a bestseller, reaching #1 in Hot New Releases and #1 Bestseller status within three days.

Outside of her professional endeavours, Kate enjoys travelling, reading, and socialising. She maintains her passion for exercise through gym workouts and running when her leg permits and volunteers at her local parkrun. Kate’s two springer spaniels keep her active, though they are not as disciplined as her soldiers! She is a proud member of the Independent Scientific Advisory Group (ISAG) to the ADVANCE study and serves as an ambassador for The Army Benevolent Fund and the Black Stork Charity, which is responsible for the £300 million defence rehabilitation facility at Stanford Hall as part of the Defence and National Rehabilitation Centre (DNRC).