Sammi Ford is an award-winning writer, poet, entrepreneur and motivational speaker, celebrated for her authentic storytelling and ability to connect deeply with audiences. Her talks are infused with raw honesty, wit, and a creative energy that often includes elements of performance poetry to bring her experiences to life. Whether speaking on personal resilience, late-diagnosed neurodivergence, or female empowerment, Sammi inspires individuals and organisations alike to reframe adversity as a path to purpose and growth. She is a natural motivator - uplifting, engaging, and always thought-provoking.
Her journey began in the Royal Air Force, where she became one of the few young women to be awarded university sponsorship and to fly solo as a teenager. Rising to the role of Flight Lieutenant, she oversaw the global distribution of helicopter spares during international conflict - a high-pressure leadership position at a time when women were only just beginning to break into such roles. After leaving the military, she retrained as a linguist and went on to work as a translator, interpreter and educator, before founding SPCB UK Ltd, a successful industrial supply business she has led for over 25 years. Her story is one of self-belief, resilience, and a bold refusal to let traditional boundaries limit her path.
In recent years, Sammi has become a recognised voice in the neurodiversity and inclusion space, following her late diagnosis of autism and ADHD in her fifties. Her deeply personal journey—intertwined with menopause, mental health struggles, and rediscovery - forms the basis of many of her motivational talks. She has performed and spoken at major events such as Neurodiversity Pride, The Writers’ Conference, and the Lincoln Book Festival, and her poetry has been featured in Shine and Beyond The Spectrum magazines. She was shortlisted for the Hammond House International Literary Prize and has received awards in business and photography, including a Daily Mail wildlife competition win.
Sammi is hired as a motivational speaker because she is real. She speaks from experience, not theory, and her words resonate with those navigating change, challenge or reinvention. She motivates with humility and humour, empowering audiences to embrace difference, rewrite their narratives, and move forward with courage.
