Former Astronaut Instructor. Now training leaders who can't afford to fail.
Former Astronaut Instructor. Now training leaders who can't afford to fail.
Every great business is built by great people. People who communicate clearly, lead courageously, and stay resilient when it matters most.
These skills aren't soft. They're hard-won. And in my years training astronauts, ground control teams, and Antarctic explorers, I've seen what separates those who perform under pressure from those who don't. It's not talent. It's training.
The methods I use aren't theory. They've been tested where failure isn't an option and they work just as powerfully in a boardroom as they do in mission control.
I founded Charlesworth Human Performance because everyone deserves access to this training. Not just astronauts. Your leaders, your teams, your next generation of talent.
No guesswork. No fads. Just proven, practical skills that change how people show up.
Susan Charlesworth
Founder, Charlesworth Human Performance
The transition from individual contributor to leader breaks more careers than anything else. We make sure yours don't.
Your rising stars and mid-level leaders are stepping into bigger roles with no structured preparation. Launchpad gives them what astronauts get: practical training for high-pressure decisions and leadership under uncertainty.
Communication under pressure. Handling difficult conversations. Self-management when workload spikes. Leading with adaptability. Tested skills, not theory.
All the intensity of in-person training, none of the logistics. Designed for distributed teams who need results, not another day out of the office.
About Susan
Susan spent over a decade training astronauts and ground control teams at the European Space Agency, teaching them how to make decisions under pressure, communicate in high-stakes environments, and lead when it matters most.
Now she brings those same methods to businesses. Her programmes are built on real performance psychology, not theory, not motivational fluff and they're designed to create lasting change in the people who go through them.
Public Speaking Workshops
Twenty years of keynotes, panels, and a TEDx stage
taught me one thing: technical brilliance means nothing if you can't
communicate clearly.
This workshop fixes the problem plaguing technical
sectors, brilliant people giving terrible presentations. Your
team learns structure, confident delivery, and how to handle
tough questions without losing the room. Real practice, real
feedback.
Courageous Leadership workshops
In mission control, trust, clear communication, and
accountability aren't leadership buzzwords, they're
operational requirements. Teams that don't speak up, challenge assumptions,
or hold each other accountable cause missions to
fail.
This one-day workshop teaches your leaders how to build
teams that perform when it counts.
Keynotes
Susan's signature keynote explores the tipping points of human performance, the critical moments when what worked before suddenly doesn't.
From the Apollo 1 fire to Mars mission prep, she traces how the competencies required for success evolved from individual technical mastery to team collaboration, psychological resilience, and autonomous decision-making. The question becomes: What are the tipping points facing your industry, your team, your leadership?
Whether it's a conference of 500 or an executive offsite, Susan delivers a keynote that challenges audiences to question their assumptions about performance - and prepares them for what comes next.
Perfect for: Leadership conferences, organisational change initiatives, industries facing disruption, teams navigating high-pressure environments.
You were so amazing. Extremely engaging and a lot to take away. You were so considerate and calm and made it very comfortable.
Rohini
Science Communicator, STFC
Susan presented to the Group SHE Leaders exploring human performance, human factors and psychological safety. It was very well received and valuable. I would highly recommend Susan who tailored the offering to our audience and business.
Carole Bardell-Wise
SHEQ Director, Morgan Sindall Infrastructure
Susan was brilliant at encouraging me to challenge myself. I had some great breakthrough moments. She encouraged me to believe in my own thoughts and feelings, finding strengths that I didn't really believe I had.
Sarah Wilson
Director of Communications, Global Swiss Jewellery Group
It was inspiring to see you speak for all 3 hours. I personally liked the techniques related to voice exercises and circle of excellence.
Siddharth
Data Scientist, STFC
Susan was a consummate professional and responded to our enquiry to speak at short notice with enthusiasm and poise. She delivered an engaging talk which gave the audience great insights into the human factor as part of the space supply chain.
Ann Swift
Space Sector Development Manager, The Manufacturing Technology Centre
Susan has a wonderful open and empathetic style of facilitating and leading. She makes every participant feel that they are special and that they have something to contribute to create action and change.
Heather MacRae
Chief Executive, The Ideas Foundation
Working with Susan was invaluable. I gained really deep insights into what was holding me back. Thank you so much for your help!
Hannah Galliers
Finance Manager, IT Services Company
Susan was thoughtful, professional and knowledgeable. The style and content of the session was just right and the activities were genuinely useful. I have some important actions to do as a result.
David Pearson
Payload Engineering Manager, RAL Space
Working with Susie has been a breath of fresh air! When you are striving for excellence you need Susie to come and pave the final step. She showed us that everything we needed we already had, we just weren't applying it right.
Freddie Gibbs
Designer and Studio Manager, Nicholsons
You were so amazing. Extremely engaging and a lot to take away. You were so considerate and calm and made it very comfortable.
Rohini
Science Communicator, STFC
Susan presented to the Group SHE Leaders exploring human performance, human factors and psychological safety. It was very well received and valuable. I would highly recommend Susan who tailored the offering to our audience and business.
Carole Bardell-Wise
SHEQ Director, Morgan Sindall Infrastructure
Susan was brilliant at encouraging me to challenge myself. I had some great breakthrough moments. She encouraged me to believe in my own thoughts and feelings, finding strengths that I didn't really believe I had.
Sarah Wilson
Director of Communications, Global Swiss Jewellery Group
It was inspiring to see you speak for all 3 hours. I personally liked the techniques related to voice exercises and circle of excellence.
Siddharth
Data Scientist, STFC
Susan was a consummate professional and responded to our enquiry to speak at short notice with enthusiasm and poise. She delivered an engaging talk which gave the audience great insights into the human factor as part of the space supply chain.
Ann Swift
Space Sector Development Manager, The Manufacturing Technology Centre
Susan has a wonderful open and empathetic style of facilitating and leading. She makes every participant feel that they are special and that they have something to contribute to create action and change.
Heather MacRae
Chief Executive, The Ideas Foundation
Working with Susan was invaluable. I gained really deep insights into what was holding me back. Thank you so much for your help!
Hannah Galliers
Finance Manager, IT Services Company
Susan was thoughtful, professional and knowledgeable. The style and content of the session was just right and the activities were genuinely useful. I have some important actions to do as a result.
David Pearson
Payload Engineering Manager, RAL Space
Working with Susie has been a breath of fresh air! When you are striving for excellence you need Susie to come and pave the final step. She showed us that everything we needed we already had, we just weren't applying it right.
Freddie Gibbs
Designer and Studio Manager, Nicholsons
Susan is a great communicator; she is good at engaging an audience and catering to their needs. I thoroughly enjoyed the workshop. I would strongly recommend it!
Dr Mamatha Maheshwarappa
Payload Systems Lead, UK Space Agency
Susan did a fantastic job helping us as a team work through our common concerns and come up with new ways of approaching them. There was a very friendly and supportive atmosphere which made it easy to raise any problems.
Rebecca
Instrument Development Scientist, RAL Space
Susan is a fantastic tutor and we look forward to working with her again in the future.
Graham Tilbury
Hard Landscape Site Manager, Nicholsons
Susan along with Emma did a fantastic job of facilitating the Rise Together workshop! The approach and focus on action-oriented discussions and driving collaborative energy was brilliant.
Dr Mamatha Maheshwarappa
Head of Research and Development, UK Space Agency
Susan created a very welcoming and trusting environment. This got the whole group sharing and engaging on a level that isn't often achieved. We came away with some real actions and inputs into team planning.
Charlie Haire
Head of Business Development, RAL Space
You really gave us an amazing insight into the challenges people face in extreme environments and how your work in human factors makes such an impact. Many delegates said your talk was the highlight!
Tina Worthy
Chief Operating Officer, Chartered Institute of Ergonomics & Human Factors
Susie led a great series of training sessions, which were different in style to anything we have previously experienced. Her coaching style extracted the content from the group, rather than feeding to the group. Far more effective in terms of buy-in and follow up.
Sam Gibson
Director of Operations, Nicholsons
The workshop was very valuable and insightful — an ideal balance of theory and knowledge, with plenty of space to discuss in our teams. Susan was a great facilitator, encouraging, stimulating and helping make connections.
Vicky Hall
Engagement Officer, RAL Space
The talk was very well received at the time and was still being talked about days and weeks later.
Barry Kirby
Managing Director, K Sharp
Susan was really positive and open minded about our opinions. It felt easy and useful to talk with her regarding the topics discussed. I found the event productive and engaging.
Zhe-Hui Kong
PhD student, Disruptive Space Tech Centre, RAL Space
The Launchpad programme is thoughtfully designed for busy professionals, with flexible sessions and ongoing support. Susan shows unwavering commitment to supporting our development.
Marie Tilbee
Regulatory Space Policy Specialist, Civil Aviation Authority
I am thoroughly enjoying the Launchpad course. Susan has great experience and advice to share in a manner that's accessible and digestible amongst a busy workload.
Sarah Tridgell
Head of Marketing and Communications UK, Astroscale
The workshop was exceptionally well-structured, fostering an environment that encouraged open, meaningful, and action-oriented discussions. The facilitation style was outstanding — thoughtful, engaging, and inclusive.
Yige Sun
Faraday Institution Research Fellow at Linacre College, University of Oxford
The training sessions were engaging and well structured. We learned a lot about our own roles and how others perceive us. This has led to a better awareness of other departments and given us tools to approach issues affecting performance.
Richard Holt
Senior Contracts Manager, Nicholsons
I have a reputation for being very cynical about these type of events, but you produced exceptionally thought provoking sessions with mercifully few platitudes. Instead, stimulation of discussion within the teams about how to improve our own work.
Anonymous
Workshop participant
Susie's sessions were very informative and relatable. Her style of presenting makes you feel comfortable whilst ensuring the relevant points are delivered in small chunks — useful to absorb and use in work.
Jack Mckenna
Landscape Contracts Manager, Nicholsons
Susan provided five very useful and engaging sessions on building a team of excellence. She is a very good lead with good presenting skills and lots of ideas on how we can all improve.
Harry Rickard
Senior Contracts Manager, Nicholsons
The clarity with which ideas were introduced and explained meant that the 'real world' application of them was much more straightforward. Susan facilitated productive and open discussions.
Simon Howells
Head of English, Burford School
An incredibly useful workshop covering a broad range of communication skills. Great, confidence-building speaker — adapted to the group, gave lots of useful tips as well as structured guidance.
Laura
Commercialisation Manager, The Faraday Institution
Amazing workshop! Really calm and safe atmosphere to openly talk about your worst public speaking fears and real practical advice. Real personal feedback on our own talks. Thank you!
Chamimi Gnanavel
Graduate Business Development Executive, STFC
A truly enjoyable day's training on the sometimes dreaded topic of public speaking. Congratulations to Susan for creating such a safe space for practising!
Andra Pirvu
Project Manager, STFC
Fabulous! So useful, lots of points I have not considered. Beautifully delivered — engaging, interesting, succinct and warm. Please do more of these sessions!
Kate Evans
Facility & Procurement, Astroscale
Susan's workshop was well structured, informative, and provided opportunities to put the theory into practice. She brought together methods applicable from stand-up meetings to keynote speeches.
Patricia Smith
Community Manager, Research Complex at Harwell
I really enjoyed the workshop and learnt a lot of useful tips about public speaking. I really felt comfortable to try in the group and with Susan. I can't wait to put the techniques into practice.
Molly McGoldrick
Graduate Energy Cluster Development Officer, STFC
With her great facilitation skills, Susan steered the conversation while interacting with the group sharing experiences. I enjoyed participating in this session.
Coraline Halibut
Thermal Engineer, RAL Space
An engaging and enjoyable day that allowed our team to connect and share ideas. Having the structure to brainstorm away from the office gave us so many opportunities to learn from one another.
Yasmin Wong
Comms and Engagement Officer, RAL Space
A fantastic workshop which was really insightful. Lots of great techniques to give you the confidence to show up with purpose and clarity!
Marie Tilbee
Regulatory Space Policy Specialist, Civil Aviation Authority
Thank you Susan for sharing your expertise! Fantastic day, informative, relaxed and great fun. Really useful discussions and feedback. Would highly recommend it!
Anonymous
NHS
I am grateful to be sharing space with such an inspiring group of high achieving women. It is incredible how much common ground we encounter across different industries.
Anonymous
Launchpad participant
Thank you for the super interesting and insightful training Susan.
Katherine Bennell-Pegg
Astronaut, Australian Space Agency
It was an amazing training, many thanks Susan!
Pablo Alvarez
Astronaut, ESA
A positive environment to have open conversations to challenge our own thoughts and the thoughts of others.
Pete Green
Director of Sport, Burford School
Well structured and clear objectives. Information was generated by the Heads of Department and summarised into clear processes.
Steve Waggott
Head of Technology Department, Burford School
Great workshop! Very helpful and I will definitely use the strategies. I really liked the interactive nature and all the experiences you shared.
Isheeta Ranade
Propulsion Systems Engineer, Thales Alenia Space UK
I love an interactive workshop where we can put your tips into action! I would happily have been here all day. A great session, hope to see you back at Harwell again!
Yasmin
Comms Officer, STFC
The workshop was very interesting. The most useful for me was practising a minute presentation and receiving useful feedback.
Claire Gibson
Project Planner, Diamond Light Source
Thank you! I really liked the workshop and the breakout chat with my peer learners!
Xiao Wan
Research Scientist, MRC NATA
Was really helpful — the Circle of Excellence, good structure and gestures. Lots to learn.
Harish R
Mechanical Engineer, Oxford Space Systems
Weekly insights on leadership, performance, and what actually works under pressure.